“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” 39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.” Mark 9.38-40
Here’s the proofread version of your text:According to Walmart, Easter has come and gone. The Easter eggs and baskets are at half price, the Easter candy aisle is stripped bare, and it’s on to the next thing. But for the church, Eastertide continues, lasting 50 days until Pentecost. We continue to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, who walked on this earth for 40 days following his rebirth. He ascended just ten days before Pentecost.
So, for many people, Easter has ended, but for us who love him, who follow him, who obey him, it has only just begun. Now starts the imitation of Christ—the doing, preaching, healing, and serving in his name.I’ve recently been watching The Crown TV series on Netflix. During the long reign of Queen Elizabeth, she had many people represent her in her name. She sent out Prince Philip, her sister Margaret, and others who would speak for her—in her name.
Jesus, the King of the World, sends us forth to represent his name. We are called not simply to celebrate only Resurrection Sunday but to be resurrection people. In this verse in Mark, the disciples see people driving out demons in the name of Jesus. They ask Jesus if this is okay or if they should stop it. But Jesus says, “for no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me….” And, “anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name….will not lose their reward.”
The name of Jesus carries power. Just as the Queen’s name brought earthly authority for the British Government, so Jesus’ name brings universal and eternal authority for all who speak in it. Which leads us to the question—”Are we speaking in his name?” Are we healing, serving, loving, forgiving in the name of Jesus? If we are doing anything on our own, it will fail, but if we do anything in his name, we will reap the rewards for all eternity.
Although Easter has disappeared from our in-store shelves, it has only begun to take root in our hearts. The good things we can do in the name of Jesus will continue from today until eternity.”
O Lord God, you are good. I praise your Holy Name. You are high and lifted up. You overcame sin and death and rose to new life so we might be made right with God. Thank you, Lord, for loving us. Thank you for your Holy Spirit who lives inside of us and allows us to do good works for you in your name. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen.