There are so many stories of the Disciples “missing the point” that I can’t even write them all out (Just a few examples I’ll reference below: John 6:54-61, John 18:8-11, Mark 8:31-33, Mark 9:33-35, Mark 14:34-42, Luke 24:37-49).
Jesus said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” If someone told you this, what would you think? You’d probably think as the disciples did: “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” The next verse says Jesus was aware that his disciples were grumbling about this. ….Just wait. One day that will actually make sense to you.
Jesus was teaching about how he must be rejected, killed, and after three days rise again. Scripture says, “He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ he said. ‘You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.'” ….Peter. Do you even know who I am?
After Jesus and his disciples had travelled to Capernaum, Jesus asked them what they had been arguing about on the road. They kept quiet because they had been arguing over who was the greatest. Jesus sat down and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” ….You think I couldn’t hear you? Clearly you have all missed the point.
In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told his disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.” Three times Jesus goes away to pray and comes back to find them all asleep. ….Thanks fellas.
Jesus was about to be arrested in the garden and Simon Peter whipped out his sword and cut the high priest’s servant’s ear off. Jesus then said, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” ….Simon Peter! Seriously? You just cut that dude’s ear off!
In Luke 24:45, Jesus appeared to the disciples after his death and “he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” WOW. Talk about “mind-blowing.” All of these prophecies, this “eating of flesh”, resurrection… it all made sense.
So. Do you laugh at the disciples’ ignorance? Do you sympathize with it? Do you find yourself in their shoes? These verses and the disciples’ stories bring me to this conclusion that I cannot let go: When I get to Heaven, Jesus is going to laugh at me. Of course, His intentions will be pure and holy. But I think He’s going to run towards me like the father of the prodigal son, sweep me up in His arms, and laugh. And like Luke 24:45, my mind will be opened to understand the Scriptures… and I’m going to laugh at myself, too. I missed it. I missed the point. I missed it all.
All of the valleys I have faced, all of the suffering, all of the trials and tribulations… they weren’t to harm me, they weren’t to hurt me… they were for my good. Wow. So that time I was struggling through… Oh. That was the reason.
And all that time I spent doing things hoping to earn a little more favor?… Wow. You really couldn’t have loved me more.
And that time when I faced temptation?… When I looked it dead in the eye… and I consciously weighed the sin… and You… and I chose the sin? You still loved me.
And that dark time when I didn’t know which way was up? You never hid Your face from me.
That’s why I think Jesus will laugh at me. I missed it! So what can I do with this thought that is plaguing me and won’t leave me? I can take the disciple’s story and this thought and use it for my good and His glory. The first conclusion I come to is that the “ups” and “downs” are not. God’s love for me and His face are ever upon me. The reason I’m struggling and I’m in a “valley” is because He’s teaching me, growing me, preparing me for what He has coming for me. This time is the best time to trust, have faith, hold on to Him. He’s not punishing me, torturing me, or messing with me. He’s molding me. It’s hope. Secondly, I can have faith in the Rock of Ages. Whenever I face a situation, thought, or I’m faced with anything that is new, I can rely on the truths that I know and have faith through the things I don’t understand. I need to take my situations and thoughts and hold them in the light of Jesus. I know His character and I know who He is. So, like the disciples being told to eat of his flesh and drink of his blood, I can stand through these thoughts with the truths I already have.
Anyways. I can’t wait to get to Heaven and see the King of Glory in an all-out sprint, like the father of the prodigal son… And just laugh.
