He Heard That!

"And they came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, 'What were you discussing on the way?' But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest" (Mark 9:33-34)

Some of the most frightening words that I ever had occasion to hear, beloved, took place whenever my mother would say of some words I had hastily uttered under my breath, "I heard that, young man!' I never ceased to be amazed at how she could hear things that to me no normal human being should be able to hear. I soon concluded that it had to be a very special ability which God gives to mothers!

Imagine, then, the surprise of the disciples when a conversation which they had held on the way to Capernaum was suddenly brought up in their presence by Jesus. They clearly had no idea that He had any knowledge of what they had discussed among themselves! Furthermore, they were embarrassed that what they had been discussing with each other had been so ego-centric and worldly. Very simply, they had been talking about which one of them should be honored as greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And so off-base was their subject matter that it led at last to Jesus giving to them a discourse on what true spiritual greatness is - that of becoming a genuine servant.

All of us no doubt recall words that we have spoken or even thoughts that we have pondered, the memory of which later brought a sense of shame and embarrassment to our hearts. I know that it is certainly true of me! So why do we allow such thoughts to cross our minds or such words to cross our lips? Do we really think that He doesn't hear us, that He isn't aware of our thoughts and attitudes? Just reading this passage in John Mark's narrative has served to strengthen my own resolve, beloved, to guard my thoughts and my words carefully, not so much to avoid "getting into trouble" with Jesus, but more because I want my thoughts and words and actions to honor His wonderful name.

I am just as amazed today at the memory of my mother's uncanny ability to hear my whispered words, beloved, as I was when she was with us. But I am even more amazed at my Lord's personal knowledge of me as His child. And I am thankful that He loves me in spite of words and thoughts that I should neither speak nor ponder. And such knowledge inspires me to seek to make my thoughts and words and deeds something for which I am never ashamed to have Him see and know. It is a comfort to know that Jesus knows me that well and that, knowing me, He loves me anyway!

Ron