My God and My Country

Word of God

But he replied and said, "It is written, 'It is not by bread alone that a man lives, except by every word that issues from the mouth of God

The Gospel According to Matthew 4:4

The Gospel According to Mark 9:38-41

All commentary and study notes are prefaced/edited by Dr. Riktor Von Zhades

38 Then John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils by thy Name, which followeth not us, and we forbade him, because he followeth us not. 39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man that can do a miracle by my Name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40 For whosoever is not against us, is on our part. 41 And whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink for my Name’s sake, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Brethren:

When upon first reading this chapter it was placed upon this writer’s thoughts that it was interesting that in a few verses earlier we read how the disciples could not cast out a demon from a man’s son. Yet herein, was one man that was not a close follower of Christ Jesus and was able to do so. Albiet in the earlier passages Christ did say that such a demon could not be cast out except upon much prayer and fasting (Read Mark 9:29). However we do not know whether this other fellow in the above verses had not done so and was able to do what they couldn’t earlier as stated by John.

Now to the heart of the matter. This fellow was indeed doing the works of the Father in the name of Christ. Again we do not know his relationship to Jesus for it is not mentioned (perhaps he followed from a distance), but two things are certain. One, he was able to do such strong works and miracles because he believed in the power of the name of Jesus Christ. Secondly we can say that he must have recognized that Christ was the Messiah; for as Jesus said, such a man, could not speak adversely against the one that was truly the Son of the Living God.

This man, this fellow, was a true believer in the divinity that is Christ Jesus. To him Jesus is indeed Lord.

“ But Jesus said, forbid him not Neither him, nor any other they should hereafter meet with, who might be casting out devils in his name, giving this as a reason for it; for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name; or "miracles", as the Syriac version, as to cast out devils, or heal any sickness and disease, that can lightly speak evil of me: such a man can never reproach and blaspheme that name, which he makes use of in doing, and by which he does wonderful works; no man can call Jesus accursed, who casts out devils in his name; (Read 1 Corinthians 12:3 ) , if he has spoken evil of him before, he cannot do it "again", as the Persic version renders it, with any face; or he cannot do it "quickly, immediately", as the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions interpret it: there must be some time before such an one apostatizes, if he ever does; he cannot very easily and readily go into a way of blaspheming that name, by which he does his mighty works: his conscience will not admit of it; and besides, it would be contrary to his interest; it must sink his credit, and he lose the esteem and applause of men, he had gained by his miracles; for to dishonour that name, would be to reproach himself.

This man; he was not against either Christ, or his disciples; he was doing the same work, promoting the same interest, and destroying the kingdom of Satan: and therefore, though he did not follow them, and had not his commission immediately from Christ; yet, inasmuch as he was opposing the same common enemy, and did nothing against them, he ought to be reckoned as one for them, and on their side. It is a proverbial expression, signifying that all that are not against a man, and take not the part of his enemy, are to be accounted his friends.” - John Gill 17^th century theologian