What I Don't Understand

Scripture: They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 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.” But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. Mark 9:30-32

Observation: Mark quotes Jesus effectively saying, "I am going to be arrested, put to death, and then rise from the dead," and ... they did not understand what he meant. I mean, Jesus probably couldn't have been any clearer about this prediction. So why don't the disciples understand?

There are probably three elements at work here. One is the fact that they believe Jesus is the Messiah, so the idea that Jesus can be arrested and killed is beyond their understanding ... God cannot be killed! Second is an emphasis on the uneducated nature of the disciples. For the most part, these were humble men not educated in the scriptures, and thus they still lacked some insights into prophesy. Third, there is probably a spiritual influence here ... God is keeping the disciples in the dark to some degree to ensure that his plan and work proceeds without any undue interference.

Application: It is so easy for me to say "well, duh, that was pretty simple to understand." However, how often does God tell me something and I don't understand? Daily??

Do I truly understand the impact of sin on my life? Do I fully know intellectually those issues I will need to answer for (such as my judgmental attitude toward others), and am I fearful enough of that to stop behaving that way? Do I really perceive others as the workmanship of God worthy of my love? Have I embraced by vocation as a means to become a witness of Jesus in the dark places of the world?

Would the disciples rightfully look at my life and think "well duh, this guy is pretty dense to not be understanding this stuff, we spelled it out in writing for him pretty clearly"?

Prayer: Lord, there are basic things I don't understand. I may understand them intellectually, but when I fail to incorporate them into my life that is because I do not understand how they should be rightly incorporated into my life. I do want to incorporate love and compassion of others into my daily minute-by-minute life ... I do know that would be the best way I could better serve your purposes. I will remain in your word and meditate on it regularly to try to understand this basic truth better. Amen.