Miracles Performed in Christ’s Name.

(Mark 9:38-41 and Luke 9:49-50).

The Lord’s words on whoever receives anyone that is weak, timid and humble — receives Christ Himself, reminded Apostle John of the disciples, who saw a person drive out demons through the use of Christ’s Name. Because he didn’t follow them, they prohibited him to do this. Apparently, Apostle John’s tender and sensitive heart felt that in this instance, the Apostles acted contrary to the Lord’s teachings. In leaving everything and following Christ, as well as being chosen as part of His twelve closest and trusted disciples, and accepting the grace of healing, they assumed superiority and regarded themselves correct in prohibiting the use of Christ’s name by a person who wasn’t part of their group. Apart from this, during open hostilities by the leaders of the Jews, it wasn’t safe to be an apparent disciple of Christ and to follow Him everywhere. Consequently, the Lord had many secret disciples, among which, as is known, was Joseph from Arimathea. Probably, the Apostles came upon one of such disciples when he was driving out the demons in Christ’s name, yet did not openly follow Christ.

Motivated by the fact that he did not travel with Christ, the Apostles refused to recognize him as one of them and forbad him to continue this activity. The Lord Jesus Christ didn’t approve of their action. “Do not forbid him,” he told them, because he who performs a miracle with My Name, undoubtedly believes in Me; he who believes in Me cannot be My enemy, at least not now and in the near future. “For he who is not against us is on our side”; consequently, do not forbid the performance of good deeds in My Name by those that, for whatever reason, do not openly declare themselves as My disciples; on the contrary, assist them and know that everyone who gives a helping hand in My name, to any of My followers, even if it is just a cup of cold water to quench a thirst, “he will by no means lose his reward.” The Lord spoke totally different about people that were akin to a meadow, which was well cultivated and watered yet remained sterile: if these people “are not for Christ,” if they are neither cold nor hot, this already means that their inner being is “against Him” (Mat. 12:30).