Lessons of Jesus
Chapter 14: What were you disputing?

Previous Chapter: O faithless generation

Under the title "Lessons of Jesus" we are studying how Jesus Christ trained his disciples, Its like a three years degree program, and disciples are in final year now, and Jesus is teaching very important lessons, that we should be humble and never ever allow pride to take control of us, and we should not be an obstacle for any fellow believers, especially the little one, and we should not be jealous on others ministry.

Fame, Pride, Jealous, these are not from God, these are worldly desire, and we must fight against this, Christ put them under single word "fasting", and we must fight against these deadly appetite everyday.

Be Humble

First Jesus taught his disciples to be humble themselves and fight against "appetite of fame", fame is the one of the biggest devil's trap, and disciples developed this symptoms and started disputing among themselves who would be the greatest, so Jesus taught the consequence of "fame", and how badly it will impact our heavenly blessing - 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. 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 9:33-37

Forgiveness

What symptoms of fame that disciples had? for example, after the ministry, one of the disciples Andrew say, "10 of them are healed in his ministry", Immediately Peter responded "15 of them are healed in his ministry", so, Andrew told as usual, "I am the one who brought you to the ministry", that made Peter to be mad on his brother and brought this matter to Jesus - 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

And with this lesson, Jesus also covered the importance of forgiveness, because both pride and unforgiveness goes hand in hand, when pride goes before unforgivable character also follows, so when we need to humble ourselves and ready to wash others foot, then there is no room for bitterness or unforgivable situation. 

Don't hurt fellow believer

Next, the Lord taught His disciples how dangerous it is to hurt a fellow believer, The Lord did not teach this to Romans or those who want to crucify him, but to His own disciples - 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

Why did Jesus said this only to His disciples? The reason is that faith in the Lord cannot be weakened by outsiders or  by some radical movement or by those who are in authority, opposition coming from the outside would only strengthen the faith on Jesus, however, a person within the church, can easily collapse fellow believers faith, God want us to be encourager and not a discourager.

Don't interrupt other's ministry

Furthermore, the disciples thought they alone had been chosen, and no one else should do Christ ministry, so they attempted to stop others, that's when the Lord said "Do not stop", so we must pray for others and encourage their ministry, and should never treat them as competitor, otherwise we are one would suffer in both physical and spiritual blessing - 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

Next Chapter: In Your name