Lessons of Jesus
Chapter 14: What were you disputing?

Previous Chapter: O faithless generation

How Jesus used to say first in parable, and then explain the meaning to his disciples, this time also Jesus did the same, first he told This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting, and now he want to explain the meaning of prayer and fasting - 33.Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” 34.But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest - Mark 9:33-34

For example, Andrew, who had just finished the ministry, said, "I healed 10 people today," and Peter immediately said, "I healed 15 people today." And then, Andrew, Peter said, "I am the one who brought you to the ministry - 21.Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22.Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven - Matthew 18:21-22

Actions characterized by the sentiments "It is I" or "It is through me" serve to separate us from Jesus Christ, our Bridegroom; it was precisely to teach us that not even the slightest trace of such thoughts should exist within us that the Lord instructed us in this manner - 35.And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36.Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37.“Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me - Mark 9:35-37

It would be better, if a millstone were hung around his neck

Next, the Lord taught His disciples how dangerous it is to hurt a fellow believer - 42.But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. 43.If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched. 44.where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ 45.And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched. 46.where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ 47.And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire. 48.where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ 49.For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50.Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another - Mark 9:42-50

The Lord did not say to Herod, or to Pilate, or to the Romans—that whoever causes one of these little ones to stumble would be better off having a millstone tied around his neck and being cast into the sea; rather, He said this to His own disciples. The reason is that faith in the Lord cannot be diminished by outsiders, by a radical movement, or by those in authority.

Opposition coming from the outside serves to strengthen the faith of the congregation rather than diminish it; however, a person within the church—whether a fellow member, a ministry worker, or a pastor—can cause a believer within the congregation to become discouraged, and that is extremely dangerous.

Do not stop him

Furthermore, the disciples harbored the notion that they alone had been chosen by the Lord and that no one else should engage in ministry; consequently, they sought to hinder the ministry of others. The Lord taught us that we must not behave in this manner, nor should we harbor any intention in our hearts to undermine the ministry of others—for if we do, it is we ourselves who will face the peril - 49.John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us. 50.But Jesus said to him, Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you - Luke 9:49-50

There are indeed many profound mysteries embedded in John’s statement to the Lord: "We saw someone casting out demons in Your name." For the disciples—who had never before witnessed anyone praying in Jesus' name—this was entirely novel; furthermore, they were unaware of the truth that it is specifically the name of Jesus Christ that demons fear. This mystery remained unknown even to Mary, who had carried Him in her womb, and to John, who had baptized Him. It was a time when, even had Jesus Christ—then thirty years of age—proclaimed this truth, the world would not have accepted it. It was precisely in such a context that the disciples witnessed demons being cast out through the power of Jesus' name. They were utterly astonished—marveling that merely invoking the name of Jesus Christ, who was physically present elsewhere, was enough to make the demons scream in terror; thus, they began to grasp the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Next Chapter: In Your name