Was the man casting out demons doing so by Christ’s authority?
Question:
Hi,
In Luke 9:49–50, did the man who was casting out demons actually have the power to do so? The apostles couldn't cast out a demon in Luke 9:40, so how was this man able to cast them out? Was he doing it by Christ’s authority, even though he was not one of the apostles?
Answer:
As Jesus and his disciples journeyed from Caesarea to Capernaum, a dispute broke out among the disciples (Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48). Jesus didn’t intervene immediately but waited until they arrived at the house where they would be staying. He asked them what they were arguing about on the road, but none of them were willing to tell Jesus that they were arguing about who would be the greatest in Jesus’ kingdom. However, Jesus already knew what the argument was about. Jesus’ statement in Caesarea that his kingdom would soon be established probably triggered the argument.
Calling a child to his side, Jesus told his disciples that they couldn’t even enter the kingdom of heaven unless they became like a child. Many people have used this statement to make all sorts of points, but Jesus is trying to make only one point. “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4). The disciples were jockeying for position in the kingdom, but what Jesus values is humility. If a disciple wants to be pleasing to the Lord, he must put himself last and act as the servant of all.
Humility is not enough. Jesus points out that his people must be willing to accept humble people. To receive a humble follower of Jesus is to receive Jesus himself.
This point disturbed John because he remembered seeing a man casting out demons in Jesus’ name, and the disciples told him to stop because he wasn’t one of the disciples who followed Jesus (Mark 9:38-41; Luke 9:49-50). And yes, I suspect part of the disciples' motivation was that they couldn't cast out a demon earlier (Mark 9:17-18; Luke 9:40). It isn't that they couldn't cast out any demon. When they are sent out in Luke 10, they return excited that they cast out demons (Luke 10:17).
Jesus told them they were wrong for trying to stop the man. If they had considered a moment, they would have realized that a person who was able to do a miracle in Jesus’ name would not quickly turn around a work against Jesus (I Corinthians 12:3). A person who wasn’t working against them was working for them (Numbers 11:27-29). The opposite is also true (Matthew 12:30). Thus, there is no middle ground.
Besides, God gives the power to cast out demons. Therefore, the fact that the man was casting out demons means he had the Lord's approval.
People tend toward exclusiveness. If a person is not a part of the “in” crowd, he is rejected regardless of who he is or what he believes and practices. Such a practice is forbidden.
