# 552 - Today's Du-Votional comes from: Mr 9:39,40 “But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. "For he who is not against us is on our side.”
Something needs to be said here about the idea of using the name of Jesus. Sometimes we fall into the trap of using the name of Jesus as some sort of a secret formula. But according to the bibilical scholar and commentator Lenski, , the idea of “the name of Jesus” in Scripture is always tied to the “basis of the revelation of Jesus one has received.” In short, it's always tied to the measure of faith that one has received.
Whoever this exorcist was, he had enough revelation about Jesus given to him, (enough faith) that he sincerely believed that Jesus would cast out demons through him, and He did!
Here's the thing, John and the disciples had no clue about this man's faith and they had no business forbidding him from putting it into practice. But Jesus knew everything about it. Jesus was fully aware of every demon that had been displaced by this man when he called on His name.
Let Jesus be the judge of the strength of ones faith. He knows things about faith and individuals that we can't possibly know. One thing we know for sure and that is whoever taps into the revelation of Jesus (His name) rightly is not operating in the rejection mode. They are always open to more of Jesus. More revelation. More faith, and that's where this man appeared to be and Jesus tells us here that it's a good place to be.
Father, I am so quick to judge the faith of others. Deliver me from this wrong and let me rejoice at any and all evidence of faith in Your name. Help me to remember that faith is a gift from You and help me to treasure it and nourish it all my days.
No comments :
Post a Comment