Wednesday May 27, 2026

Mark 10:32-45

The disciples were on the road, going up to Jerusalem; Jesus was walking on ahead of them; they were in a daze, and those who followed were apprehensive.

Have you ever had the feeling of being surrounded by people and yet felt so alone? This episode brings to light for me how much Jesus was alone sometimes. In this episode, he tells the disciples that he will face death when he gets to Jerusalem. Then James and John come up to him and ask if they could have prominent places in his cabinet when they get to Jerusalem. Nobody heard him. Or they just glossed over what he had shared with them. In fact a fight/disagreement erupts among the disciples about this. They are upset that James and John would go behind everyone and ask for this. The fight for power does not escape churchy folk.

Sometimes we think Jesus was just giving the disciples an FYI about what will happen in Jerusalem. We think he was ok with it. I think not, I think the Lord was troubled at heart and he shared with his closest friends what was troubling him but nobody listened.

I am so blessed that often I don’t even have to say what is troubling me before my wife asks, “are you ok darling?” She notices my energy, my mood.

I invite you today to pay a little more attention to those around you. Do you notice the unspoken pain and worry? Do you notice the joy too? I certainly hope no one ever feels this alone when they are in our company.