`For whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.´ Mark 9:40-41 (NIV)
Here we are with the Disciples. We bring a question to our Teacher. What do we do about the other people who use Jesus´ name? There are so many different branches of Churches. There are so many varied religions. How can we know who is right? Who can we trust?
Jesus tries to lead us over this unstable ground. He tries to direct our focus higher than looking to our piers. He tries to show us the value of intention. He wants us to know that as long as someone is looking at Him and lifting Him up, there is no harm. “Do not stop him,” He says in verse 39. No one who is helping others and healing others in the name of Jesus can slander Him in the next moment. Should we rather fear those who would lessen our Lord? Should we be wary of those who try to direct attention away from Jesus? Should we look to see if men are leading us to earthly or human objectives?
Division is a natural result of our fallen nature. We were all born into sin and live in a world under its evil grip. But we should be directed higher than our rituals. We should be seeking and following our Savior. Our methods may vary. This may not always be a bad thing. But the focus always needs to be our Lord. The attention needs to go to Jesus. God the Father designed it like this. It pleases our Maker when we lift up His Son. His Son is His finest expression of love to Mankind. His Son is the crowned Prince to whom every knee shall bow.
If we have questions over our current direction, if we have questions over who to trust, we should look to Jesus. When we look to Jesus, we draw near to the One who sees the intentions of us all. Looking at Him, we can recognize whether our brothers and sisters are doing the same. Or we could sit back and judge. Would we then be taking our attention off our Lord so that we can place it on our brothers? Are we spending too much time caring about what the other guy is doing? Should we be concentrating on my own oneness with Christ? What can others sense from our faith? Are we looking to Jesus? Are we trying to direct ourselves first, then the others around also towards Him? If we are, can we sense the genuine intentions of our fellow worshippers of Christ?
Might we say that it is remarkable when anyone these days attempts to genuinely stop in their tracks and look to Jesus? Should the efforts of others to lift Him up strengthen our own faith and hope in our Lord? Should we waste time we could have with our Savior to look sideways at what our brother is doing or not doing wrong? Could we further our search and rejoice more in finding Him in our lives? Can we make that our focus today?
Dear Jesus, thank You for directing us unto You. May Your power and love rest on all brothers and sisters who lift up Your name! As for us, direct us more unto You. Help us to focus on drawing ever closer. Fill the eyes of our hearts with the sight of You. Then fill our hearts with You and Your love. As for our brother, be with him too. Enable us all to seek and to find You, the Greatest Treasure of all!
Amen
Searching For Christ 
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