The disciples are arguing. Trying hard to keep it a secret, but they are arguing about status – about the succession plan. You see, Jesus has just dropped big news on them. ‘The Son of man will be betrayed, killed and raised from the dead.’ Astonishing news! And the friends of Jesus huddle together as they walk, trying to decide what happens next. And the easiest way to ignore the tragedy of losing their friend, is to argue about who will take his place.

They have a lot to learn – and that’s okay.

We are the spiritual descendants of this group of bickering, uncertain folks. We have come to faith through a movement that became an institution – a global phenomenon. The CHURCH. And we are more than a little concerned about the future – just as John, Peter, James, Andrew and company were… Jesus’ reaction to their muted mumbling should shed some light on our fears.

Jesus points to a child – places this kid in their midst – and tries to teach them about servant leadership. It’s still not sinking in.

Distracted, John points out that there are pretenders all around; others who are using Jesus’s name to heal and cast out demons (scandalous!) There is competition in the good-news business. John (and co.) are unsettled by the notion that God might also be at work beyond their small circle. It seems the disciples are one-track thinkers.

This remarkable and rapid-fire sequence of events shows us how hard it is – even in the presence of Jesus! – to grasp anything of the bigger picture. So Jesus breaks it down – he offers them the simplest form of the equation:

Whoever is not AGAINST us is FOR us.

And now, we have some questions too.

We are much more familiar with this phrase in another form: ‘If you’re not WITH us you’re AGAINST us!’ This phrase announces we are looking for a fight. We use these words to antagonize folks who may not be ready to make up their minds.

When we say this, we are demanding a choice be made, and suggesting that the wrong choice carries a negative consequence. And we’re hearing (and even saying) this a lot these days. Not always using these words – often it sounds like ‘how could you think such a thing?’ or ‘How can you support such an idea?’ There is a passive aggressive slant to this approach that all but demands our opponent had better switch sides.

Jesus flips the language – and changes the game.

To the disciples – who know they are part of something special, and who are starting to wonder who will take top spot in the pecking order – Jesus’ words provide much needed perspective. Whoever is not AGAINST us is FOR us.

Those not opposed to us may, in fact, be united with us. Different methods may well achieve similar results. Any work done in Jesus’ name, is work done by allies. So there is no need for a singular leader (the greatest disciple) to step up and take control. Greatness is not an individual prize, but rather an attribute shared by a wide community of God’s people.

Those who say “if you’re not with us you’re against us’ want to control the narrative. They are often the rule-makers and power brokers. Theirs is one of two dismal choices

Jesus suggests a different kind of engagement. ’Whoever is not against us is for us’ opens the door to a multitude of excellent option; a plethora of positive results.

So it is that Jesus undercuts John’s notion of greatness and leadership (for what else were they arguing about?) and in the process, gives us a lesson in the kind of cooperation that could make our lives just a little less anxious.

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James’ letter talks about gentleness born of wisdom. Neither boastful nor ‘false to the truth.’ This is a peek at what it might look like to accept that our ‘competitors’ may well be our allies.

So long as the truth is at the centre of the endeavour, we need not worry that someone else might be stealing our thunder.  “We saw someone healing in YOUR name!’ They complain: And Jesus asks his disciples to let good work be good work – even if you are not sure of the source – even if you don’t get the credit.

John and company have a lot to learn. For that matter, so do we.

“For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.” – James again, spelling out the consequences of ‘If you’re not FOR us you’re against us.’ And heaven knows that we have harvested the fruit of selfish ambition and envy down the years. In churches and beyond them, our competitive nature drives us to do some strange things.

Our ego must be satisfied – our programs and projects must reek of success…and heaven help you if you stand in the way… or offer something better on the other side of town.

We judge by the numbers – we demand that sides must be chosen – we fume whenever someone chooses ‘the other side.’ So those who chose to work or play on Sunday rather than join us for worship are part of the problem. The notion that anything would dare stand ‘in opposition’ to the sacred nature of Sunday morning is our favourite axe to grind. And yet there are things that the people of God do – programs the church offers – that happen through the week and through the year that do as much (or more) good than the best of sermons accompanied by the finest of music. By setting ourselves up as the only righteous game in town, we invite people to choose between our ego and their passion.

What if we took Jesus’ perspective?

What if we followed James’ advice?

What if we acknowledged and supported a wider range of good activities – promoted the joy that can be found in other activities – things that feed the body, mind and soul – and rejoiced with these co-conspirators for good?

Is there a way to see Jesus at work (or take Jesus to work) in the activities that we say have ‘diminished our greatness?’

Whoever is not AGAINST us is FOR us. There is good being done – and God being experienced – in ways we have not yet imagined or discovered. Jesus invites us to open our minds to more possibilities, not fewer. We would much rather be the ‘one-stop-shop’ for all things holy, righteous and so on, but the task of the church is to help people make connections between the things they love and God who loves them. That is not just Sunday morning work. It is the slow and steady, day-to-day business of being a God-loving, compassionate, follower of Jesus.