Grace and Space

Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

Mark here deals with two issues.
The first centers on those outside the official circle of Jesus, that is, outside the community. Mark portrays Jesus as an exorcist, and Mark’s community must have had exorcists; but there were other persons, outside the community, who were exorcising demons in Jesus’ name. Anyone who does God’s will is to be tolerated, according to this author. Such a simple act as giving another a cup of water to drink in the name of Christ will be noticed by God.
The disciples always want to narrow the circle, as in the preceding discussion about who is the greatest in the kingdom of God (9:33-37). Mark, who is not fond of the disciples, sets them up against Jesus, who continually attempts to widen the circle of his followers and make the requirements for discipleship less strenuous than the disciples wish they would be. In the second, Mark emphasizes the powerlessness of authentic followers of Jesus. Jesus calls them “little ones who believe [in me]” (v 42). This reference completes the frame begun with the child used as an example for the disciples who want greatness. Those who are in the inner circle with Jesus are not to be let outside of it.
Whatever gets in the way of discipleship has to be eliminated—no matter if it is a hand, a foot, or an eye. This, of course, is Marcan hyperbole and is not meant to be taken literally. The point is that the kingdom of God is more important than anything else in life or any aspect of life. It is to be the disciple’s only cause.
By not eliminating that which gets in the way of authentic discipleship, the person is risking Gehenna, the Jerusalem garbage dump. Again, hyperbole is used to emphasize the seriousness of discipleship. The non-serious disciple is garbage. The non-serious disciple is not even good garbage!