9:39,40
Jesus tells them not to stop the man. If the man is casting out demons in Jesus’ name then he cannot in the next sentence say something bad about Jesus. “for whoever is not against us is for us”. There is a sharp distinction between those who are for Jesus and those who are against Him.
9:41
Factionalism, finding excuses to separate ourselves from various groups, usually to “prove” that we are better or purer (though usually it is only ourselves that we convince of this) is a very human trait. It is one that the disciples were prone to, hence their disquiet over the “exorcists” who were not “one of us”. Jesus here teaches a much more open approach. Now there is a balance we need. The church today on the whole does not draw enough distinctions, is not discriminating enough! However, we should start with an open heart. If someone gives us so much as a cup of water “in Jesus’ name” because we belong to Christ, such a person will not lose their reward. Notice the “in my Name”, and “because you belong to the Messiah”. The person is clearly trying to honour Christ. This also points back to Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples “who is the greatest” debate. That is totally the wrong way to look at things. Whatever someone does in the name of Christ, whether it is great or small in human eyes, will be rewarded. This section is a warning against being bound by section headings, 9:38-41 make an awful lot more sense when looked at together with 9:30-37.
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