AN INCLUSIVE MISSION
|
Sometimes, those who believe almost as we do or who simply are not part of our group are those we are most likely to be suspicious of or to criticize.
The disciples had encountered someone who “was not one of us” (Mark 9:38) but who was driving out demons in the name of Jesus. So they told him to stop.
We know nothing more of this person’s identity, mission, or motives—what connection he had to Jesus or how he had come into his miracle-working ministry.
But Jesus was quick to defend the person’s ministry.
The mission and message to which He had called the disciples and that He had already sent them out to practice and proclaim (see Mark 6:7) were not their exclusive territory. Instead, the mission would require the contributions of as many people as possible and would grow to include more and more diverse people than the disciples would have ever been able to imagine. There is enough mission for everyone. Even when it comes to proclaiming the kingdom of God, our tendency is to assume some kind of restrictions on who can do it “properly” and to imagine the risks that could come with welcoming inclusivity. But Jesus’ response—“Whoever is not against us is for us”—stands in contrast to many of those human attitudes.
“Part of the reason we avoid associating with other Christians is that we feel insecure. Truth really should have nothing to fear. It should not make us intolerant, arrogant, and authoritarian. Instead it should develop in us openness, humility, and assurance.”* In the kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed, all are invited, and every honest contribution is valued.
* Sakae Kubo, The God of Relationships (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald®, 1993), 127.
