Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22; Psalm 124; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50

WHEN THE DISCIPLES criticize someone for casting out demons in Jesus' name because the man "was not following us" (Mark 9:38), Jesus is forced to address one of the most common and destructive tendencies concerning humans and power. Already the disciples have forgotten or conveniently misunderstood the radical inclusiveness of God's reign and seek to limit membership to their special "club." The man is not "one of them" and should therefore be stopped.

It is a tendency to which we can all relate. The number and variety of communities that work in Jesus' name reveals that there are infinite ways to live and proclaim the good news. Diversity in itself is not a problem, as Jesus explains--the danger arises when any one of those communities professes to be the only true church and exclusive bearer of salvation.

The lesson is so important that Jesus underscores it for the next two paragraphs. …