Mark 9:30-34 (NIVUK)
30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 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.’ 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
Mark has very obviously put these two occasions next to each other in his Gospel as a jarring contrast. On the one hand you have Jesus, they one they just saw transfigured, talking about the sacrifice he was willingly walking towards, and them arguing about which one of them was the greatest. When Jesus confronts them with this, they’re too embarrassed to admit to it, deep down they know this sort of posturing for position is wrong, but they can’t help themselves. Before we make an example of them though, if we’re honest, we’re probably the same, worried about our public image and embarrassed about the private reality. Jesus knows, of course. He sees beyond our fronts and excuses. Good thing he loves us!
Jesus, help me to learn from your example.
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