Humility and honesty, not perfection

Mark 9:30-33

³⁰ They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, ³¹ 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.” ³² But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

³³ They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” ³⁴ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

I can personally relate to what is recorded here of the disciples’ pride-filled responses to Jesus.

Firstly, we read that Jesus was trying to teach them something, but they didn’t understand. Their response was to keep quiet because they were afraid to ask him about it. 

Why would they be afraid to ask him? My guess is, it was their pride and feeling embarrassed that they didn’t understand. I have certainly done this in many different types of situations, but I am continuing to learn that it ok – in fact, preferable to admit my ignorance and humble myself to ask questions and learn.

Secondly, we read that Jesus questions the disciples about what they had been arguing about while walking along the road. Again their response was to keep quiet, too embarrassed to fess up about their self-centred conversation about who was the greatest (I mean really, how embarrassing is that!)

Again, I am still learning that Jesus can handle my most embarrassing weaknesses, and I don’t have to pretend or try to cover them up (He knows them anyway, of course!). How much better it is to own up to my self-centredness and bring it into the light to allow Him to change me.

Thank you, God, for your grace and patience, that You understand and accept us in all our weaknesses and selfishness. Help me to grasp that You are looking for humility and honesty, not perfection.

Written by Shelley Witt