The Gospel of Luke 9:49-50 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.” (Luke 9:49-50 KJV).

Despite having witnessed the Lord Jesus affirmed as the Messiah (Luke 9:18–20), awed by the glory of God affirming the Lord (Luke 9:28–36), and watched amazed the crowds’ reaction to His power (Luke 9:43), the disciples seemed to have gotten the whole thing off-track. They have become greatness focused. They fail to hear the Lord talking about betrayal by one of them, and be killed (Luke 9:44–45; Mark 9:30–32). They argue over what positions of importance they'll have when the Lord Jesus comes to reign in His kingdom (Luke 9:46–48).

Now, in these passages, in spite of the lessons the Lord has given them about serving to be great, they respond by complaining of a man not from their circle casting out devils in the name of the Lord Jesus. This response is way off. And they have performed this miracle when the Lord Jesus empowered and sent them out (Luke 9:1–6, 10). But, recently, they found themselves unable to cast out a single demon from a long-suffering boy (Luke 9:38–40). Their failure led the Lord Jesus to call them "faithless and twisted," like the rebellious children of Israel (Luke 9:41). Perhaps it also seeded envy in them of others performing what they could not.

They apparently are still thinking about worldly power and authority. They seemed to be protecting their physical closeness with the Lord or perhaps they’re in a feeling of exclusivity with a spirit of jealousy. Their hearts seem to be heading back to their religious upbringing under the law. They forbade those other believers to use the name of the Lord, for which they earn the Lord’s correction not to forbid.

These passages show us the inclusivity of God's kingdom. God is not a respecter of person. He is a respecter of faith. By faith in Christ Jesus, in His grace, you and I are as close to God as with anyone who believes with no preferential treatment. He sees us in His Son who shed His blood for us. Apostle Paul declares in one of his exhortations, which we too must declare and abide. It is written: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

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