Raising your hand when you're stuck
This week's quick note is on Mark 9:30-34:
There are two cases in a row here where the disciples interrupt their relationship with God out of fear. The first ends up confusing them later when everything Jesus predicts happens, but they don't recognize it. The second is pointless, because Jesus knew what they were arguing about and addresses it right afterwards anyway.
I find it interesting that these two cases are put next to each other, almost like a warning. They're both cases where the disciples were looking for answers or had issues, and were afraid to talk to God about it. There's no reason for us to be like that. It slows us down and gets us off track.
If you're doing something embarrassing or stupid, God already knows about it. All he's going to do is help you get past it if you talk to him about it. He's not going to be like "Now that you mention it, I have been meaning to smite you for that. Thanks for reminding me." He's a God of grace and mercy. Keep that line of communications open.
And if you don't understand something God is saying, or some section of the Bible, don't keep your mouth shut, hoping he won't guess that you're stupid. He already knows we're all a bunch of dumb animals compared to him, and he loves us anyway. Just think of how much drama the disciples would have saved themselves if Jesus had patiently walked them through the last few chapters of the gospels, giving them the "crucifixion and resurrection for dummies" play-by-play. Instead, they didn't want Jesus to guess that they weren't getting it, and they missed out. If you don't understand, raise your hand(s).
They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
There are two cases in a row here where the disciples interrupt their relationship with God out of fear. The first ends up confusing them later when everything Jesus predicts happens, but they don't recognize it. The second is pointless, because Jesus knew what they were arguing about and addresses it right afterwards anyway.
I find it interesting that these two cases are put next to each other, almost like a warning. They're both cases where the disciples were looking for answers or had issues, and were afraid to talk to God about it. There's no reason for us to be like that. It slows us down and gets us off track.
If you're doing something embarrassing or stupid, God already knows about it. All he's going to do is help you get past it if you talk to him about it. He's not going to be like "Now that you mention it, I have been meaning to smite you for that. Thanks for reminding me." He's a God of grace and mercy. Keep that line of communications open.
And if you don't understand something God is saying, or some section of the Bible, don't keep your mouth shut, hoping he won't guess that you're stupid. He already knows we're all a bunch of dumb animals compared to him, and he loves us anyway. Just think of how much drama the disciples would have saved themselves if Jesus had patiently walked them through the last few chapters of the gospels, giving them the "crucifixion and resurrection for dummies" play-by-play. Instead, they didn't want Jesus to guess that they weren't getting it, and they missed out. If you don't understand, raise your hand(s).
Comments
Post a Comment