"By This All Will Know That You Are My Disciples" - HOW DID JESUS SHOW LOVE TO HIS APOSTLES? -Conclusion

 How did Jesus deal with the situation?  He did not become indignant.  He did not say that he was going to look for better apostles, men who had greater humility ad who would always treat one another with love. Rather, Jesus patiently reasoned with these sincere men.  (Read Matthew 20:25-28.) He continued to deal with them in a loving way, even though this was neither that first nor the last time that the apostles tried to determine who among them was the greatest. - MARK 9:34; LUKE 22:24. 

No doubt Jesus took into consideration the apostles' background.  (John 2:24, 24) They had grown up in the environment  where the religious leaders placed great emphasis on prominence and position.  (Matthew 23:6 Compare the video The Front Seats in the Synagogue in study note Matthew 23:6.) The Jewish religious leaders were also self-righteous. (Luke 18:9-12) Jesus understood that such an environment could affect the apostle's view of themselves and others.  (Proverbs 19:11)  He was realistic in what he expected of his disciples and did not overreact when they fell short.  He knew they had good hearts, so he patiently helped them  overcome their pride and ambition and replace those with love. 

Next time: "By This All Will Know That You Are My Disciples" - HOW CAN WE IMITATE JESUS' EXAMPLE?

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