The “inner circle” of the disciples were having a melt down. “How dare a stranger use Your Name to pray for people. He hasn’t been given authority like we have. We’re the ones who have the close association and relationship with You…he’s not one of us!” But they were really shocked when Jesus reacted to their biased thinking and elitist attitude by saying, “Don’t stop him!” Christianity has a way, if we’re not careful, of developing into a “club” mentality…a them against us posture with a superior prejudice towards anyone outside our inner circle. But we’re not part of an elite group…we are an elected group, chosen and saved through grace… not by anything we’ve done or are part of.
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