Reflecting on Mark's Gospel - Mark 9:38-41

Here the disciples’ prejudices come to the fore and are contrasted with Jesus’ openness and inclusivity. There is a problem. One of the things for which Jesus has become known is the practice of exorcism, the ‘casting out’ of demons. People with ‘significant issues’ were regarded as demon possessed and bringing healing to them was, no doubt, greatly valued by family and friends, and indeed wider society. On occasion, as in  Mark 6:13, Jesus had shared this aspect of ministry with the disciples. However, there was also at least one occasion when some of the disciples had failed in an attempt to offer this ministry (Mark 9:18).

Maybe that is why they were so unhappy at seeing someone else offering this ministry in the name of Jesus. The problem is that they have discovered someone else, not part of the disciple group, who is casting out demons in Jesus’ name. They have tried to put a stop to this person’s work because the one concerned is not part of their group. Jesus, however, takes a different view. He welcomes the support of one who is doing good work in his name. In short, it does not matter that the person concerned is not a signed-up member of the band of disciples. Jesus puts it succinctly – whoever is not against us is for us.

Morna Hooker (The Gospel according to Saint Mark) comments – “the disciples are rebuked for their exclusive attitude, and the strange exorcist is vindicated” adding, “it may well reflect disputes within the early community in which some leaders tried to exercise a monopoly in certain gifts.”

This account reminds us that Jesus reaches out to all who are ready to seek a link with him. He is not interested in exclusivism or looking for reasons to create barriers between himself and others. As Hooker points out – “Jesus’ reply suggests that the real issue is not whether the exorcist is using his name without believing in him, but whether the disciples are falling into the danger of cliquishness which sets more store on whether someone belongs to the right party than whether he acknowledges Jesus as lord.”

I wonder in which areas we fail to be inclusive, choosing rather to emphasise our differences from others.