Where There’s Blayze

In Mark 9:38-41, we encounter an intriguing moment between Jesus and His disciples. John approaches Jesus and says, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” This may seem like a niche concern at first—a discussion about casting out demons—but as with much of Scripture, there’s a deeper message at work. Jesus’ response provides insight into how God’s kingdom operates in unexpected ways, and how even those outside the community of faith may participate in His mission.

Jesus and the Demonic: Forces of Light and Darkness

To fully appreciate this passage, it’s helpful to frame it within the broader spiritual landscape of the New Testament. On one side, we have Jesus, who embodies light, goodness, and truth. In John 8:12, Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” This light, symbolising all that is good and holy, is central to understanding who Jesus is. He is not just a moral teacher, but the source of all that is good and right in the world.

On the other side, we have demons, representing darkness and evil. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is “not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil.” The demonic is more than just a symbol of evil—it’s the corruption of God’s goodness, an active force that seeks to distort, degrade, and destroy. Especially within the realms of the physical, mental and moral out-workings of God.

With this understanding of light and darkness, we can see that the central issue in Mark 9 is not just about the identity of the person casting out demons, but about the work of God in the world. Jesus represents all that is good and true, and the demonic represents all that is opposed to Him. The question, then, is not whether the person casting out demons is part of the inner circle of disciples, but whether they are engaging in the fight against darkness in the name of Jesus.

A Surprising Response

John expects Jesus to support the disciples’ decision to stop this outsider. After all, this person wasn’t one of them, wasn’t following Jesus in the same way the Twelve were. But Jesus surprises them by saying, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us.”

This response turns the disciples’ expectations upside down. Jesus is essentially saying that the power of His name transcends the boundaries the disciples are trying to enforce. The person casting out demons may not fully understand who Jesus is, or may not yet be a committed disciple, but the power of Jesus’ name is still at work. Jesus is not concerned with tribalism or exclusivity—His mission is much larger than that. His kingdom is breaking into the world in ways that the disciples may not fully understand.

The Power of Jesus’ Name in the World Today

We can see this dynamic at work in the world around us. Even today, there are countless examples of people participating in God’s work, even if they do not fully recognise or follow Christ. A striking example of this is historian Tom Holland, who, despite not identifying as a Christian, has argued that Western civilisation is profoundly shaped by Christian values. In his book Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind, Holland points out that much of what we consider universal human rights—such as equality, justice, and the sanctity of life—can be traced back to the teachings of Jesus.

Holland, like the person casting out demons in Mark 9, is engaging with the fruits of Christianity without yet fully embracing Christ. He acknowledges that the very moral framework that underpins modern Western thought owes its origins to Christianity. He goes so far as to argue that even secular humanism, often seen as opposed to religious belief, is deeply indebted to Christian theology. While he may not yet fully follow Christ, the light of Jesus has shaped his understanding of what is good and true. He is open, honest and wise enough to at least acknowledge this, as many others are increasing to do so such as Douglas Murray and Jordan Peterson.

Unseen Participation in the Work of Christ

This phenomenon isn’t limited to the intellectual sphere. Consider the 12-step recovery programs that have helped countless people overcome addiction. These programs, while often seen as secular, are openly based on biblical principles. The steps themselves reflect a journey of repentance, confession, and reliance on a higher power—essentially Christian concepts. Here, too, we see people participating in the work of Jesus, even if they do not consciously recognise Him as Lord.

In both these examples, we see people working against darkness—fighting addiction, promoting justice, upholding human dignity—while perhaps not fully understanding the source of the good they are doing. This is exactly what Jesus was talking about in Mark 9. When people fight darkness in Jesus’ name, even if they do not yet fully know Him, they are participating in His mission. And, as Jesus suggests, those who do good in His name will not be able to speak evil of Him for long. In time, they will come to see the truth of who He is.

The Challenge of Humanism and the Unacknowledged Foundation of Morality

I recently encountered this dynamic while speaking with chaplains in the military. Among them were humanist chaplains—non-religious individuals who provide moral and emotional support to soldiers. These chaplains were genuinely kind and deeply committed to the well-being of others, but as I spoke with them, I couldn’t help but notice the limitations of their worldview.

When discussions of morality arose, the Christian chaplains could speak of God’s desire to fight darkness and bring about justice. We could point to the ultimate hope we have in Christ, and the promise of eternal life. The prospective humanist chaplains, though equally concerned with justice and goodness, could not provide the same depth of hope. Their morality was built on principles they had inherited from Christianity, but without acknowledging the foundation. They were, in effect, defending Christian ethics while denying the source of those ethics.

This brings us back to Jesus’ words in Mark 9. Just as the disciples were surprised that someone outside their group was using Jesus’ name to cast out demons, we might be surprised to see people promoting good without professing faith in Christ. But Jesus teaches us not to stop them. The good they do is rooted in His light, even if they do not fully recognise it yet. And, in time, they will come to see that the goodness they are defending is inseparable from Christ Himself.

Conclusion: Light Will Always Reveal Itself

The beauty of Jesus’ teaching in Mark 9 is that it reminds us of the pervasive and irresistible power of His light. Even those who do not yet know Him are often working in His name, pushing back the darkness. Our role is not to create barriers or exclude those who are not yet fully with us but to recognise the ways in which Jesus’ name is at work in the world, often beyond our expectations. Our role is simply to help them to see the foundations of their already established beliefs that they may come to know Christ personally. We should be desperate for them to find Jesus, they are missing out on the best part!

As Christians, we know that every good gift comes from Christ, and in time, those who do good will see that as well. Jesus’ name is powerful, and those who invoke it, even unknowingly, are already participating in His victory over darkness. Eventually, they will not be able to speak evil of Him, for the light will always reveal itself. I hope and pray that this realisation comes before it is too late.