Today in God's Word—May 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
May 18, Mark 8
Do you suppose Jesus was sometimes exasperated with the lack of faith and understanding he found among people while he was here on earth? Do you think Jesus grew weary of the Pharisees’ arguments and hard-hearted rejection? When the disciples seemed slow to learn or believe what he was teaching them, can you hear the frustration in the question, “Do you not yet understand?” Mustn’t it have been at least a little discouraging to hear Peter’s beautiful confession so quickly followed by a rebuke when Jesus began to teach them about the coming cross?
I suspect the same compassion Jesus showed for sick, blind, grieving and misguided people kept annoyance at bay for some time. He was after all God, and God is long-suffering. As Creator, he perfectly understands the limitations of the creature. So he often repeated himself. As we read the gospel, it seems that he gave abundant, even redundant evidence to followers and enemies alike to compensate for skepticism.
There are several lessons in this. First, Jesus models the patience we need to deal with one another. Who are we to be impatient with people who don’t immediately subscribe to what we want them to believe? How dare we be short-tempered with people we find to be slow learners? Are you a mature believer with a well developed understanding of the Lord’s will? Did you come to that understanding overnight? Was someone patient with you? Every parent and leader needs to remember the example of Jesus in showing patience. Every would- be soul winner, eager to share the good news about Christ should remember not
everyone is eager and ready to hear what we’re so sure is true. With fellow believers, we know it’s unreasonable to expect everyone to have the same level of maturity and understanding, regardless of diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience. If I need the Lord to be patient with me, I should be patient with people around me.
But I also should remember that even God’s patience has limits. Jesus knew the hearts and thoughts of everyone. He knew when the Pharisees were being obstinate and when the disciples were afraid or exhausted. And he gave warnings and made allowances for an appropriate period of time before he left them to the consequences of their stubbornness or unbelief. But when the right amount of time had passed and opportunity had knocked long enough, he went ahead with the plan. He did it with the whole world back in the days of Noah, and with the nation of Israel when he allowed their defeat and captivity after generations of warnings and discipline.
It’s good to know God is patient. It gives us hope in our weakness. But it’s important to also know that, in his perfection, he knows when enough is enough. We’d best not presume upon the patience of the Lord.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament, Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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