Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Disciple John is concerned because there was someone doing the works of Jesus Christ who was not exactly following them.  John forbid him because, to use modern Christian terminology, he was not recognized by the disciples as in communion with them.

Jesus replies, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in my name can soon afterward speak evil of me.  For he who is not against us is on our side.”[1]

Eastern and Western Christians work miracles in Jesus’ name, do not speak evil of Him, and are not against Jesus and the disciples.   According to Jesus’ definition, we Christians are already on His side altogether.

Our present unity is proven even more when certain Christians in both East and West are discovered many years after their physical death intact, that is, the body is not decomposing; they are incorrupt! 

How can Christians living in division experience these same miracles if we disagree on so much?

Perhaps because we are communing from one Divine source whose very Being unites us!

Our reality is as if God is saying, ‘Look, I’m blessing you the same as each other while you continue to fight over who is more right.”

---

[1] Mark. 9.38-40

https://www.si.edu/object/photogravure-painting-woodland-scene:saam_1967.72.330