As the time for Christ’s suffering approached, His impending trials provide a profound perspective on humanity’s reaction to divine love. It’s striking to note that while one might expect such cruelty from demonic forces, it was human hands that inflicted such shame upon Jesus. The Son of Man, sent to save and redeem, faced betrayal and brutality from the very ones He came to rescue. Even in these dark moments, Jesus always paired the mention of His death with the promise of resurrection. This wasn’t just to bolster His own dignity but to comfort His followers, reminding them that death wasn’t the end, but a precursor to eternal triumph.
Consider how often we, too, remain unaware of Christ’s profound teachings because we shy away from seeking deeper understanding. It leads us to reflect on our own spiritual blindness despite the clear guidance offered by our Savior about His love and grace. Human arguments and disputes, especially about superiority and status, miss the essence of Christ’s message, which celebrates humility and self-denial. In God’s kingdom, greatness is marked by the childlike qualities of humility and openness. Jesus illustrated this by saying that welcoming a child in His name is akin to welcoming Him.
Christians sometimes fall into the trap of judging others who preach repentance and faith just because they do not belong to their circle. Jesus admonished the disciples for such narrow views, reminding them that any good work done in His name supports His mission. If someone leads sinners to repentance and fosters faith and righteousness, then it is evident that God is at work through that person. Ultimately, we are called to recognize and cooperate with all who advance the gospel message, transcending our own biases and embracing unity in Christ’s mission.
Verses Referenced: Mark 9:30-37, Luke 9:46-50
Further Reading: Matthew 18:1-5
