These disciples are “something else” – and are “very territorial.” They have not yet learned, how to play well-with-others.
We might assume that they have been together for a couple of years now and they still are having “issues” … all over the place.
They very much sound like … or … “could” sound like – young children – playing in a “sand-lot” or back alley-way – anywhere – around or across – this world of ours.
“ Mine, Mine, Mine.
Jesus, he’s annoying me!
Do not touch.
Hey, that’s mine.
No, mine.
Get your hands off…
Stop it! Right now!”
They are “weary and skeptical” of others. They do not “trust” even among themselves. They are extremely “petty” individuals.
They are not good listeners. They live solely in their own little worlds.
And, they do not “understand.”
They do not “comprehend.” And perhaps, they may not be interested in understanding, unless something catches their attention…or imagination. How – a lot – like us, they really truly are!
But what really-truly-scares-and-frightens me, more than anything else is – that – they are afraid to ask…even simple questions! Where did “that” come from?
OK. I know, I get it, we men have not been known as being good listeners, and we can be very competitive…and then, there is that ‘whole asking for directions’ –thingy.
Well, I know this, when, you read through books of other cultures, their heroes are always pristine, noble, bigger than life, honest, intelligent and filled with wisdom.
Even if they start out with “some flaws,” they eventually perfect themselves and appear to deserve whatever rewards they ultimately receive.
The Bible, (on the other hand,) portrays its heroes and heroines with all their shortcomings, flaws, pimples, warts and failures…
These guys simply – are who they are!
In a way, this is extremely comforting, because it means that the heroes of “our faith” are more like us. They are not perfect, they do not do everything right. They have character flaws all over the place.
If God can love and work through them, he can love and work through us, as well.
Our gospel text for this evening gives us – yet “another opportunity-among so many other possibilities” to “pick on” the disciples of Jesus.
First of all, Jesus made every effort to teach them about his upcoming suffering, death, and resurrection, but they didn’t get it. They did not hear, they did not listen…they didn’t care.
Second of all, they had once again got themselves into a discussion about “who among them” was greatest.
Apparently, this was “big stuff,” it was “monumental stuff” on-going stuff…
There was no “pecking order” – no “hierarchy” – and they – wanted there to be one – desperately.
They wanted to know “where they stood” in the over-all scheme of things.
With our 20 / 20 hindsight we often have a hard time seeing things from the disciples’ perspective.
And from time-to-time, we do need to cut them some slack. But “this”(however) is not one of those times.
We have become so familiar with the work and person of Jesus that it is hard for us to “comprehend” how bizarre his teachings must have sounded to his very first disciples.
There was no precedent for Jesus’ work or for his ministry. Some people tried to make a comparison to Moses, the great law giver of old, but that only fell flat.
The disciples also based their perception of God’s kingdom and realm on earthly kingdoms…already present on earth.
They were looking forward to the day – when Jesus set up his kingdom and they would have positions of great honor and glory in that kingdom.
Ah, the power and the majesty, they could almost taste it!
The four canonical Gospels also give us the feeling that the disciples “often-times- speculated” … on who would get ‘what position of authority” when Jesus finally came into his power.
They simply wanted to know and wanted to be ready- when the time came. Perhaps they might even be prepared to take over…and to run with-whatever…
Now this was important dialogue…who would be fist…who would be the greatest. This was ‘stuff” worthy of listening to and getting involved with…the rest – maybe not so much!
Amen.