Jesus' problems with his *disciples

The Life of Jesus Christ - Chapter 10 - Jesus' arrest and appearance at court - Part 3

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An online Bible Study course by Barrie Wetherill about the life of Jesus. This book is in EasyEnglish Level B. Use the links below for other online Bible Study books and commentaries that will help you. Or go to the Word List, which explains words with a *star.

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The *disciples had their own ideas

The Bible record shows that the *disciples did not trust Jesus completely. Also, they quarrelled with each other. Several times Jesus tried to teach them about the *cross, but they would not listen (Mark 9:30-32). They had their own ideas about the future! They expected that a *kingdom would appear quickly on this earth. Partly for this reason, they quarrelled. They often argued about who was the most important *disciple (Mark 9:33-37; Matthew 20:20-28; Luke 22:24.) They even argued about this at the last supper [that is, at their last meal with Jesus]!

When the enemies of Jesus arrested him the *disciples ran away. Peter did follow at a distance. But when people asked him about Jesus, he swore. He denied that he ever knew Christ. At this time the *disciples had no idea about the kind of *kingdom that Jesus had come to bring.

Jesus tries very hard to teach his *disciples

Jesus had not completed what he wanted to teach the *disciples. He did not have much time left now. He tried very hard to teach them about some very important things. He taught them that he would come back again. [We call this future event: the Second Coming.] He taught them about the final *Judgement (Matthew 24, 25). He set up the *Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19-20). There is a long passage in the book of John (John 14-16) where Jesus talked about very important things. He talked about prayer. He said that he would give strength to his *disciples. He promised to send the *Holy Spirit. He said that people would oppose those who trusted him. He said that the most important rule is that we should love one another. He also taught them about his own relationship to God the Father. He taught all these things during his last few days.