Some people ask others, ‘Where do you stand ...’ on this idea or that.  It is often a difficult question to answer because we may not have full knowledge, or we may have not thought through the issue properly; or we may be in a process which is not yet completed. Yet it is important to be certain about what we can be sure of.  Jesus makes two statements in this verse: one is about a thought-through position, the other is about an intentional process.  To be ‘with Jesus’ is not a physical description about location but a personal affirmation of relationship.

To be ‘with Jesus’ is to agree with Him, be accepted by Him, serve Him, be loved by Him, honour Him, worship Him, obey Him, sacrifice for Him, defend His reputation, listen to Him, talk to Him, be saved by Him, love what He loves, hate what He hates, depend on Him, proclaim Him and not grieve Him.  All those who do not, cannot or will not, are against Him.

Jesus uses the ‘scattering’ and ‘gathering’ words from Old Testament language (Deuteronomy 30:3) which speaks of God's exclusive right to gather His people and cast away those who rebel against Him (Matthew 23:37-39).  Thus Jesus identifies Himself as God, having the same right.  Those who are with Him in relationship are therefore labourers with Him in service, gathering the harvest of souls into His eternal Kingdom.

The task is not yet completed but the workers are eager to see its completion. Those who are not ‘with Jesus’ are spiritually destructive however nice, clever, educated or religious they may be, and God has the right to exclude them from His kingdom.  So, this is an important verse to help us wake up to the essentials of the Christian life; and to live it well for Him, at work, back home and out in the community or wherever our travels may take us.