Afraid To Ask

“I have this question that's important to me, but I'm afraid to ask it.”

We've all been there. So were the disciples.

There is so much we don't understand, and some we don't want to understand. Who wants to speak of betrayal and death?
And it's easy for "three days later," talk to be overlooked.

To care is to ask. With Him, to ask is to hear the truth. We do well to ask.

Often the most important things are missed because of all the energy we put into the least important things.

No wonder they stay quiet when he asks what's going on. After all, the conversation confirms that they were too busy thinking about themselves, their status and place, to ever hear his agony or heed his information.

Who was the most important among them? They had surely talked of this more than once, and often vied for first place among the disciples.

He confounds with his answer. The greatest and the most important among you or anyone --is the one willing to take last place, and spend life in service. After He said this, you could hear a pin drop.

A child was nearby, and He took him into loving arms and taught: Take the innocent, the willing to learn, those who can and will grow, into your life and love. Love them. Serve them.

In such moments you will see just Who it is that you have lived with these three years, and more: You will sense the One, the King of Creation, the Lord of Life in your living.

And if we don't understand that, or anything else we know to be important, let's not be afraid to ask.

Always Love, Always
Keith
(September 20, 2009)

(For context, please read Mark 9: 30-37. A recording of this sermon is not available).