'What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?'--Mark ix.
33.
Was it not a strange time to squabble when they had just been told of
His death? Note--
I. The variations of feeling common to the disciples and to us all:
one moment 'exceeding sorrowful,' the next fighting for precedence.
II. Christ's divine insight into His servants' faults. This question
was put because He knew what the wrangle had been about. The
disputants did not answer, but He knew without an answer, as His
immediately following warnings show. How blessed to think that Psalm
cxxxix. applies to Him--'There is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O
Lord! Thou knowest it altogether,'
III. The compassion of Christ seeking to cure the sins He sees. His
question is not to rebuke, but to heal; so His perfect knowledge is
blended with perfect love.
IV. The test of evil. They were ashamed to tell Him the cause of their
dispute.
V. The method of cure. The presence of Christ is the end of strife and
of sin in general.