Mark 9: 38-41
41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
Our context is that Jesus and followers are in Capernaum, on their way to Jerusalem and Jesus is trying to teach them what to expect. We are listening in to these conversation. Jesus has asked about what they were arguing about on the road and seems to be correcting their thinking. John changes the topic. It is still somehow on the same theme of who will be great in the kingdom but a slightly different angle. John asks about those others guys who are driving out demons in Jesus’ name but are not part of their group. How do we think about other denominations or flavors of Christianity that don’t do faith the way we do?
Jesus responds telling them not to worry and be childlike. We can ponder when Jesus tells the followers to be childlike and not fight for power but what about those who we think are just plain wrong. John counters, What about the guys who use your name and are not one with us? We might phrase it today as a question about that other denomination that is so irritating and sees faith differently than us, or about that other ethnicity that doesn’t worship like us, or that other gender that feels superior to us, or that other fancy church that has all the fancy programs and is so popular unlike us. Perhaps we might need an attitude adjustment but certainly there are good guys and bad guys, the right and the wrong!
Jesus focuses the critique on faith. Others doing miracles based in faith cannot be unbelievers even if they express that faith differently than ourselves. Put simply it might be the song, “you say potato and I say potaaato.” The issue is not the outward name or label but the inner faith of our hearts that motivate our actions. Anyone can give a cup of cold water but deeds done in the name of Jesus will be rewarded. In other words, don’t worry about the labels of others but find the common ground of faith.
Lord, I confess that sometimes I am distracted by my differences with others rather than seeking to share the faith we have in common. May I see with your eyes those who need a cup of cold water today and not be distracted by labels.
On the Way to Wonder 