This is “another example” of – “how cool,” Mark’s gospel account really truly is.
One way of looking at our gospel for today, is that Jesus is “turning the spotlight on his disciples.”
They are “center stage” and “all eyes are upon them.”
They are complaining. They are complaining again! They are complaining still. Mark would have us know, that from time-to-time, these guys can be a real bunch of complainers.
For the record it is not easy listening to someone complain. Some people complain continuously – non-stop! Some people seemingly just like to complain.
It takes patience. It requires good listening skills to “hear them out” and “all the way through to the end.”
We complain about many things from the relatively un-important to the very important. We complain about all types of things. The weather, the evening “news,” the outcome of the last game…
Some of which, we can control, others of which, we cannot control. Don’t like the evening news – don’t watch it! If watching the game agitates you, turn it off. As to the weather – good luck with that one! Wait a day or two and the forecast will certainly change. Or, as we often times say in Wisconsin –wait fifteen minutes!
It is easy to ignore the complaints of others, not good, not wise to do so, but it is easy.
It is also easy to get “caught up in the complaints of others,” there is that snow-balling effect…that goes on…the more-the merrier. We like it when people agree with us.
Besides that there is always – that old misery loves company – thingy. If you cannot beat them, join them…we love to share our complaints with others.
There is usually – something important, serious and significant behind each and every complaint. There is also something hidden. Something not being voiced, something not being stated…perhaps even, a hidden agenda, if you will.
So the disciples are complaining again, and Jesus allots them center-stage to do so!
So, after all this time together, they are letting loose! Frustration has mounted and fears are surfacing…
There is this guy. He is an exorcist. He is a rival. He is not like us. He is not one of us. He is different from us. We don’t know him.
And, [AND]…he is doing it in Jesus’ name. How dare he? He is not one of us!
We don’t know him, he doesn’t know us, he is just infringing on our good name and our street creds. He steals our honor. He takes our authority.
Jesus has listened. He has listened well.
He is attempting to understand where the disciples are coming from. They are angry. They are hurt. They feel somewhat violated. They are on a “attack mode.”
And, in one clear-cut-simple statement, Jesus will silence them, temporarilly.
NOW IT IS THERE CHANCE AND OPPORTNUNITY TO LISTEN!
“Whoever is not against us, is for us.” Something so simple. Something that rings so true.
What harm is the man doing? What good is the man accomplishing?
Stop, desist. Just quit it, right now!
No more of the judgment.
No more of the finger-pointing. No more, talking about the man behind his back.
Sometimes, “enough is enough.”
SO there, center stage, under hot sweaty spotlights – the disciples are more than happy to bring some judgment on this outsider, who is acting in Jesus name…
While Jesus silencing them with one little sentence – simply wants them – to pay attention to their “own behavior”…and what “they are saying and doing…”
Why be “so eager” to bring about judgment on “others?”
Why do we so often see – “others” as being the problem…and not we, ourselves???
So, Jesus flip/flops things back to them! Look at yourselves. How and in what way have you become a “stumbling block” for others?
Were you jealous? Were you envious? Were you a distraction to the ‘good’ that the man was accomplishing?
Be slow in your judgments and look at yourselves first.
Amen.