Day 7 – Mark 7-11

I love the picture of Jesus taking the little child in his arms (9:36).  I am facinated with the disciples and their inability to “get” what Jesus was saying to them.  In chapter 9 they have this argument among themselves as to who was the greatest.  Jesus clearly speaks to them about how the first will be last and the servant of all.  Then in chapter 10 James and John come to Jesus, and this amazes me, they “say” to Jesus, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”  And Jesus responds with, “what do you want me to do for you?”  This could have been a “Bruce Almighty” moment where Jesus womps on them and lets them have it.  But he doesn’t.  He calmly shares the truth with them.  Later, the other disciples get angry with the two brothers and Jesus calls them over to share with them again the Kingdom way of being great is to be a servant of others.  Patience with the disciples.  I want to scream at the disciples, “don’t you get it?”  Then I hear Jesus gently saying to me, “Eric, don’t you get it?”  …long sigh.