One Team
But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.” Luke 9:50
Football season if in full swing. If you follow professional ball, you probably watch your favorite teams each week. You may have even gone to the field to watch in person once or twice. Most games you watch or attend have the same elements. There is a stadium when you sit and watch the game, venders that sell food and souvenirs, restrooms, and the spectators. Mostly the only difference from city to city are the teams. There is always an opposing team. There is the team you came to see and the other team.
In today’s reading, Jesus is talking to the two disciples about the difference between two different groups. Those on our side and those on the other side. Two different “teams”. He explained to the disciples that if they are praying and doing good in my name, they are on our side. Do not forbid them. He continued saying no one who does miraculous things in Jesus’ name will be speaking evil of Him.
I believe this is a message we as the body of believer can get around today. Just because other believers go to a different denomination or have doctrine that varies, if the pray in the name of Jesus, believe in His salvation to the world and do good to others in His name, we are on the same team. We do not need to distance or condemn other church people. They are all part of the family of God and our brothers and sisters in the LORD. Jesus finished this conversation with: Anyone who gives in My name will be rewarded for it.
Today I want to encourage you to help bridge the gap in the Church body. Do not forbid others to pray and worship in the name of Jesus just because they go to a different church. We are all on one team, the home team, the winning team. Join together with all your kingdom of heaven family and serve one another in the name of Jesus! Great things will happen when we live together as a family in this world and the next.
Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 9:49-56
49 Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”
50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”
51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,
52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him.
53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.
54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”
55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.
56For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.
The Daily Dose 