Matthew 12:30

NASB	NLT	VOICE
30 The one who is not with Me is against Me; and the one who does not gather with Me scatters.	30 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually against me.	30 Similarly – he who is not with Me is against Me, and he who is not doing the Father’s work of gathering up the flock may as well be scattering the flock.

Mark 9:40

NASB	NLT	VOICE
40 For the one who is not against us is for us.	40 Anyone who is not against us is for us.	40 Anyone who isn’t against us is for us.

Are You for or Against Us?

Which is it? Matthew tells us that those against us are not with us. Mark tells us that those that aren’t against us are for us. Seems like they would say the same thing from different perspectives, but are they? Or are they saying two completely different things?

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: What do you take away from these two verses?

Are You with Me?

In the context of Matthew 12, Jesus is talking to the Pharisees. The Pharisees had accused Him of casting out demons by the power of the devil. In the bigger biblical context, this is a call for wholehearted devotion in God. First-century Judaism was focused on strict religious adherence, and Jesus is challenging the religious leaders’ understanding of what it means to be loyal to God.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Jesus calls out the Pharisees for not supporting his good works. When have you been called out for doing something good? How did that make you feel?

Those Not with Me, Still Help Me

In the context of Mark 9, Jesus is addressing his disciples that were concerned about casting out demons through His power but not following them. The teachings of Christ were essentially saying that those who weren’t actively opposing Him, were essentially supporting it. The cultural context of this time period supported division and intense religious affiliation,  so Jesus’ statement here is radical. It promotes unity and cooperation among those who might not be part of the immediate group of disciples but still work in Jesus’ name.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: What do you think about the fact that even non-believers can still bring the work of Christ?

Let’s Work Together

Matthew warns against frustrating the words and teachings of Christ by opposing them. These are good and positive actions for the world that would allow the most beneficial outcome for all of God’s creation. Those that oppose supporting equal love and care for all, proper resources distributed to all people, and to lead with love and peace instead of hate and conflict. We can fight the opposition from the leaders with the more acts of Christ that we can do for each other.

How we do this is through spreading God’s love to each other. We don’t have to turn each other Christian to spread God’s love. I’ve met a lot of people that want nothing to do with the church or organized religion, but will work to do the things that Christ calls us all to do: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless, visit the isolated, cure/mend the sick, and more. Based on Mark’s passage, Jesus says that this counts as much as if Christians did this. It’s spreading the true message of Christ overall, and that’s the goal. Some people are called to share it through the Bible. Some people are called to share it through their kindness and compassion. All of us are called to do this!

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: What is one way we can share Christ’s message to the world?

Nex part: Exploring the Pairs of Animals || Contradicting the Word || Part 5