The first Monday of the first full week of summer break! Father, we have already been at it for a few hours, getting some things done that have needed doing for some time. Fill us with strength, patience, and love! Please use us to build one another up. Amen.

Mark 10:32-34 (<<click to read the passage)

I’m sure most of us have heard the idiom “turn a deaf ear” which according to Theidioms.com means: choose not to hear, refuse to listen, to ignore what someone says.

Many of us experience times in our lives where we are aware of some truth but for whatever reason, we avoid acknowledging it. Maybe it has to do with a serious diagnosis in regards to ourselves or a loved one. Maybe it had something to do with a spouse or child spurning our love to move onto greener pastures. Or possibly we didn’t want to deal with the unavoidability of losing a job.

Some people turn a deaf ear to such things. They carry on like it isn’t happening. They won’t talk about it. They won’t look you in the eye when you talk about it. They do whatever is necessary to avoid coming to terms with the inevitable.

Maybe this is what is happening in Jesus’ proclamation to His twelve disciples of what is ahead. And remember this isn’t the first time He’s said something. It’s not even the second time He’s told them. This is the third time that He has very clearly spoken with them about his pending passion, death, and resurrection.

And their response? They seemingly chose not to hear. They refused to listen. They flat out ignored what He was…well in some ways don’t you think Jesus was screaming? He desperately needed someone to come alongside Him. Yes, He most assuredly knew His Father was there but from a human standpoint, doesn’t holding someone’s hand through the seemingly insurmountable issues we come across in life, doesn’t that bring comfort? Isn’t there a peace generated by that interaction with our fellow man, though it may not put an end to the issue, that we cannot find by ourselves?

Lord Jesus, I am so sorry, even with all the time and love that You invested in Your disciples’ lives, that they weren’t there for You when You needed them. I am sorry that we probably would not have done any better. I realize that You understood then and that You understand now but enable us to push past our deafness to the needs of others. You hear them loud and clear…and You weep for them. May we become sensitized to Your heart. May we clearly hear the deep heart-wrenching struggles of those around us. Amen.

June 10th, 2019, Mon, 10:49 am