What Jesus Did! 'Group Pride' — Luke 9:49-50

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

John said to Jesus, "Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn't in our group."

But Jesus said, "Don't stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you."

— Luke 9:49-50 NLT

Key Thought

So often, our pride manifests itself as group pride. The attitude is, "If we don't do it, then it must not be important." The apostles want their little band of "Jesus followers" to be the primary bunch. Their thinking seems to be something like this: "He chose us, so surely there couldn't be anyone else as important." Jesus, however, is not interested in gathering people into prideful cliques. Instead, he wants to build groups of welcoming disciples who are thankful for all who are helping build the Kingdom of God. Jesus' point is very simple: If they're not against us, then they're for us! Oh my, if only we could have that attitude today.

Today's Prayer

Forgive us, humble us, and correct us, O Father, for our rivalry, petty spirit, divisiveness, pride, and arrogance. It is unconscionable that we have split your church into so many subgroups. Work in your people with your Spirit to bring us back to a more faithful unity. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 17:20-21
  • 1 Corinthians 1:10
  • 1 Corinthians 14:36

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 9:49-50 NLT — "Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn't in our group." —— "Don't stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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