Amen, Pastor Sean. This is the great secret kept from the world. But, before the world will look unto Jesus, they need to see their need. They need to understand we as humans are by nature selfish, evil. If we do not see this, then who needs a Savior.
This chapter tells us that the disciples were not ready for heaven, yet Jesus is about to die. He tells them this, and they do not want to hear it. They are interested in their position, not His glory, not in suffering for His sake. Before they can help others find salvation, they themselves must be brought to their knees. Before they can die to self, they must see who they are apart from Christ. This is the work of grace. It gives sinful man a proper standard by which to measure our own life.
Now the cross was just before Him; and His own disciples were so filled with self-seeking—the very principle of Satan’s kingdom—that they could not enter into sympathy with their Lord, or even understand Him as He spoke of His humiliation for them.
Jesus helped them to see their own hearts were evil.
Jesus called the others to Him, and asked, “What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?” The presence of Jesus, and His question, put the matter in an entirely different light from that in which it had appeared to them while they were contending by the way. Shame and self-condemnation kept them silent. Jesus had told them that He was to die for their sake, and their selfish ambition was in painful contrast to His unselfish love.
But, this did not bring about a full surrender of self. The fact that they were going to Jersusalem, once again brought about the hope of personal greatness. They were striving for the highest place in the new kingdom.
By explaining the nature of the kingdom, Christ might for the time have quelled their strife; but this would not have touched the underlying cause. Even after they had received the fullest knowledge, any question of precedence might have renewed the trouble. Thus disaster would have been brought to the church after Christ’s departure. The strife for the highest place was the outworking of that same spirit which was the beginning of the great controversy in the worlds above, and which had brought Christ from heaven to die.
Where was the problem, if an explanation of the new kingdom would not suffice?
It was not enough for the disciples of Jesus to be instructed as to the nature of His kingdom. What they needed was a change of heart that would bring them into harmony with its principles. Calling a little child to Him, Jesus set him in the midst of them; then tenderly folding the little one in His arms He said, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
We do not comprehend how important it is that we be converted and reflect His character to a world soon to perish.
Our Lord is put to shame by those who claim to serve Him, but who misrepresent His character; and multitudes are deceived, and led into false paths. Any habit or practice that would lead into sin, and bring dishonor upon Christ, would better be put away, whatever the sacrifice. That which dishonors God cannot benefit the soul. The blessing of heaven cannot attend any man in violating the eternal principles of right. And one sin cherished is sufficient to work the degradation of the character, and to mislead others. If the foot or the hand would be cut off, or even the eye would be plucked out, to save the body from death, how much more earnest should we be to put away sin, that brings death to the soul!
Understanding our need of a new heart, a change of character, we then are pointed to Jesus as our only hope. His promises of a new heart, of His abiding presence through the Holy Spirit, is for us. The everlasting covenant made from the foundations of the Earth promises that Jesus would suffer and die for our sins and if we would love Him surpremely, He would give us a hatred for sin, a changed nature.
Without the love of Christ, there is no power for good. The life can exert no saving influence upon the world. Your energy and efficiency in the upbuilding of My kingdom, Jesus says, depend upon your receiving of My Spirit. You must be partakers of My grace, in order to be a savor of life unto life. Then there will be no rivalry, no self-seeking, no desire for the highest place. You will have that love which seeks not her own, but another’s wealth.
Let the repenting sinner fix his eyes upon “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29); and by beholding, he becomes changed. His fear is turned to joy, his doubts to hope. Gratitude springs up. The stony heart is broken. A tide of love sweeps into the soul. Christ is in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life.
It is no longer a secret that Christ's suffering has power to transform sinners into saints, if we will look upon Jesus.