The idea of being helpful in Jesus's name recalled a recent incident to John's mind. He and his fellow disciples had seen an unknown man casting out demons in Jesus's name. Instead of being helpful to the man, they had spoken quite roughly to him. John was, therefore, saying in effect to Jesus, Do you mean that we did wrong in rebuking that man?
Jesus replied, Do not stop him... no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us (Mark 9:39-40)
The lesson learned on tolerance was a difficult one for the twelve to learn. It is no less difficult for us. All of us, surely, believe in freedom of thought and freedom of expression. But how hard it is to feel friendly towards those who differ from us in cultural tradition or political viewpoint or even religious conviction! This teaching does not mean that we are, under any circumstance, to compromise our convictions. It does mean, however, that we must accord to every man the right to think for himself and to speak for himself, but according to the principles of Scripture.
A philosopher said to those who violently opposed him, I do not agree with a word that you say but I will defend, to the death, your right to say it. That is tolerance.
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