For three chapters Jesus has been trying to get his disciples to see, to understand, the purpose of his ministry, the purpose of their lives. He has told them for three chapters that he is going to be handed over, sentenced to death and will rise on the third day. The first time he told them; Peter took him aside and rebuked him. The second time he tells them they argue over who is the greatest among them. Today James and John ask to be seated at Jesus’ right and left hand. The last two times Jesus has told them he will be handed over, killed and will raise on the third day, they act like he never said anything. This is so us. We hear what we want to hear, we ignore what we do not want to hear. We go to those who will agree with us. To those who will tell us what we want to hear. For three chapters he told of his death and resurrection, for three chapters they have not understood, for three chapters they never ask him to explain so they could understand. For the same reason we do not ask, we want things to be a certain way. In our minds we think if we ignore it, it will go away. Thank God, Jesus is so gracious with us. He was so gracious with these disciples. Thank God.

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