The Second Lesson

by G. Jarvie, Glasgow, U.K. | Category: General | Dec 1983

"Each counting other better than himself" (Phil. 2:3).

The disciples were on the way home to Capernaum with the Master walking on before them. Going along the way they had been disputing one with another who was the greatest. Perhaps they thought the Master would not hear them, or that He would not care. Seeking the first place was common among men. But the Master was troubled. He knew their discussion, and He knew also that Satan knew about it. Therein lay their danger! When He asked about their reasoning by the way, none of them spoke, and so He sat down to give them lesson number one, on lowliness of mind. A little child was their object lesson that day. He who would be first must be the servant of all (Mark 9:33-36).

Many days passed and that first lesson had been forgotten. Again the same discussion arose on who was the greatest. Sadly, the contention was held openly, in the Master's presence, and soon after He had given them the Remembrance, in view of His death. It was amazing that they should discuss this again, and at that solemn hour, when they had just kept the Passover and the Breaking of the Bread. What happened has been written for our learning, for we also are liable to fall. Again He reminded them that he who would be chief must be the servant to others.

Then He looked at Simon Peter, warning him of Satan's desire, and assuring him that He had prayed for him that his faith would not fail. That Simon was involved in these contentions seems evident, and the Adversary drew near and asked of God that he might sift him. Peter's fall was his aim! Long ago he had asked for Job, and now it was Peter! The Master knew Satan's request, but when He warned Simon of it, it fell on deaf ears so far as Simon was concerned. He was confident! Though all the others might stumble, he would not! Of that he was sure (Mark 14:3 1). His fall was grievous indeed, and the lesson of it was never lost on Simon, or on his fellow disciples. Nor should it be lost on us even now teaching us that, "When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom" (Prov. 11:2). When we esteem each other better than ourselves we are less liable to the attacks of the evil one.

Much later, Peter writing to his fellow elders said, "Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8,9). Peter rose again after that second lesson to be mightily used of God, and He who wrought for Peter has wrought for many others since. He can work for us also even if it be by the second lesson, and even though we may have stumbled and fallen in the Adversary's attack. The Lord will not fail. "A bruised reed shall He not break" (Isaiah 42:3,4). The second lesson can bring saved lives.

G. Jarvie, Glasgow, U.K. | Dec 1983
General