Are you with Jesus?
“Whoever is not with me is against me…” (Matthew 12.30). This succinct statement by Jesus is well known, yet easy to misunderstand. It would be simple to reverse the statement and feel that it is equivalent. I often wonder if many interpret this statement as if Jesus said the following. “Whoever is not against me is with me.” Although each statement sounds similar, they are actually very different.
If we apply each statement to the story given Matthew 12.22-32, one is suitable and the other is not. Although Jesus only states two options, with him or against him, there is actually a third option that is unstated, but assumed, in this text. They could have been indifferent about him as well. Herein lies the difference. The actual statement by Jesus in Matthew 12.30 condemns indifference while the reverse allows indifference as an acceptable model. The reverse statement assumes that one must actively oppose Jesus in order to be against him. Scripture, however, continually teaches the model given by Jesus. In order to be with Jesus, we must actively pursue and follow him.
This idea is illustrated in what we often call the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.14-30. In it, there are three servants who were given varying amounts of talents (think of it as money). When the master returned from a trip, he demanded an accounting from each servant about how his own talents were used. Two of the servants actively used their talents and produced an increase for the master. One, however, hid the talent and did not vigorously use it. This servant could have done things that opposed his master. He could have spent it on his own desires or even stole it for himself. He did not do either of these. He was simply indifferent to his master’s desire. The master clearly expressed his disappointment in the servant. He called him a “wicked and slothful servant” (Matthew 25.26).
What is the application of this idea? It is easy to create a family that does not actively oppose Jesus. It is easy to raise children who do not choose to actively oppose Jesus in their lives. However, this does not mean that they are still with him. Jesus makes it clear. “Whoever is not with me is against me.” Are our homes WITH him or are they INDIFFERENT to him? Are you actively serving him or content to simply not oppose him? The Bible is very clear. Simply not being against him does not mean that one is with him. Let’s be very careful not to transpose Jesus’ statement. Let’s create homes that enthusiastically love God with all our hearts, transform our minds through continual biblical engagement, and consistently participate in good works suitable for a disciple who wears the name of Christ. This type of disciple is with him. All others, as he stated, are against him.