The Miracle Disclaimer

Mark 9:38-40: And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. I find it interesting to hear many Christian's response when told stories of modern day miracles. Some simply do not believe it at all. Others rejoice and praise the Lord for what He is doing. And a third group seem to believe but also throw in what I will call the miracle disclaimer, "that's good but remember it's not all about the miracles." The first group who simply do not believe I can understand. While I don't agree with them when they try to tell me God does not do signs, wonders and miracles today, I at least understand where they are coming from. The ones who believe I also understand. But the ones who sort of believe but also feel the need to throw in the miracle disclaimer, those I am having trouble understanding. As I read the gospels and meditate on the attitude Jesus had towards the miraculous I walk away with the belief that Jesus is for miracles, not against them. The above passage is a great illustration regarding this matter. The disciples witnessed people who were outside their group doing the miraculous in the name of Jesus. They decided they needed to do something about this and so they confronted them and told them to stop. Maybe they thought Jesus would be happy with their "word of correction". But Jesus tells them not to forbid them because no man can do a miracle in His name and then lightly speak evil of Him. Something happens to a person when they do a miracle in the name of Jesus. When they see the hand of God at work right before their eyes they are forever changed. This is something to be pursued and valued in our walk of faith, it is not something we should put up on a high shelf with warning labels on it. I get sad when I hear someone, especially a child, who witnesses a miracle and then gets so excited they tell everyone and then a Christian with good intentions takes them aside to read them the miracle disclaimer. Jesus had something to say in verse 42 about this: And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. This is not something Jesus took lightly and neither should we. Please don't walk away feeling condemned if you are someone who struggles with unbelief -this is something common to us all. A prayer that helps me is this, "Lord I believe, help my unbelief." Let's learn to steward the measure of faith that has been given to us and not waste our time and energy by trying to disprove every person or ministry who we disagree with. This also goes for us who believe in the miraculous - we should not spend so much time worried about those "religious folks," and trying to prove they are wrong. I think it's simple. Spend more time focused on the Lord and less time focused on what is wrong. Easier said than done, right?