The Gospels: Anyone Not Against Us is for Us

Anyone not against us is for us.

I recently asked my four year old daughter, “If you could know anything about Jesus, what would you want to know?”

She said, “I would want to know how He healed all of those people.” I told her it was by the power of God and read Luke 9:37–43 to her. She received it with simple, wholehearted faith—no hesitation, no questions- just certain acceptance.

The disciples accepted Jesus’ words with that same kind of faith. Studied together, the Gospels present a complete and vivid portrait of Jesus—His life, His followers, and the words He spoke to draw us to Himself—each through unique perspectives and insights. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each offer their own account of Jesus’ life and teachings. When pieced together, they reveal a beautiful tapestry.

Throughout His ministry, there were many questions and moments of correction. Like a parent gently guiding a child, Jesus nurtured faith in His followers with patience, humility, and care—leading with a steady and understanding hand.

In Luke 9:49–50 (NKJV), Jesus offers a correction that is both gentle and firm:

Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”

But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”

A similar message appears in Matthew 12:30 (NRSV), confirming the reading in Luke:

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Their caution reveals something familiar—we often try to limit Jesus, keeping Him within the bounds of our own circles. But it was never about them or us; it has always been about Him and bringing glory to His name.

The man casting out demons clearly understood something important: the name of Jesus carries power, and faith in that power moves mountains—as Jesus reminds us in Matthew 17:20, where faith as small as a mustard seed can accomplish great things.

Every action and every word is meant to point back to Jesus. Yet, in that moment when the disciples tried to warn Him, John made a common mistake many of us have made or will make—he put Jesus in a box. But Jesus didn’t come only for His disciples—He came for everyone.

Of course, they didn’t fully understand what was coming. This is where context becomes essential: we know the ending, but they did not. They only knew they had been chosen by Him. Jesus was gently teaching them that His mission was for all people, unfolding gradually with a steady, purposeful plan.

Discernment for those who follow Jesus comes through prayer and an alignment to His word. It helps us recognize when faith, even imperfect faith, is genuine and working through others.

This truth applies not only to Jesus’ ministry but also to our own relationships. How do we discern when someone is truly for us? Just because someone doesn’t act exactly as we expect—does that really mean they are against us? Our expectations often shape how we perceive others and how we believe others should act, creating a false idea of perfection. When we evaluate someone’s actions, are we responding out of our own expectations—or out of His?

Discernment helps us pause and ask the right questions:
Is the other person seeking peace or stirring division? Are they drawing others closer to Christ—or to themselves?

And if one person chooses faith in Him, then that person is for Him—not against Him. Even imperfect faith is still faith, and Jesus honors a heart turned toward Him.

The Gospels reflect this truth. They do not exist in contradiction but in deep alignment. They move together in message and purpose, not just to repeat a story but to reveal a unified testimony of Jesus. Though they differ in details and perspective, they all point to Him.

In Matthew 12:30, Jesus warns:

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters (NRSV)

—but this must be read alongside passages like Matthew 18:15–20

If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them (NRSV)

– which emphasizes reconciliation, community, and unity in His name.

And in Mark 9:38–41, Jesus affirms that anyone doing a mighty work in His name cannot easily speak evil of Him. These texts, when read together, show us that the heart of the matter is the direction of one’s faith—toward Christ.

Read the gospels. Just begin. Read them separately, then read them together. Then find the parallels. Use the footnotes in your study Bible to bring it together. Let the text speak. Ask questions. Pray. Then share what you find here— or with someone. With your community. Let the Word be heard, and let it be shared.