As we study the Scriptures, particularly historical narratives, it’s helpful to consider the question: Why record this? For example: Why record Jesus’ announcement that all of the disciples are going to abandon Him in His greatest hour of need, and that one of them is going to deny even knowing Him rather than accepting the suffering that would come from remaining faithful? Doesn’t this record of the Apostles’ failures undercut their influence in the church?

Given the vivid contrast between the disciples’ prayerlessness and Jesus’ prayerfulness, this is clearly recorded to instruct us in the danger of being self-reliant. But perhaps there’s more to be learned. In his commentary on Mark, Sinclair Ferguson reflects: “We ourselves fail; others fail us; Christ alone is unfailing. Put your trust first in Him, and learn to live within the fellowship of failures knowing that He will never fail you” (Let's Study Mark, 236).

Not a very good tagline for a church: “Come join this ‘fellowship of failures’!” But, of course, it’s true. The early church did not need to worry about undercutting the influence of its human leaders because the call to become a Christian is not a call to follow men – it’s a call to follow Christ. The first churches were not following great charismatic leaders – they were following the crucified-yet-Risen Savior. Their trust was in Him, not in the Apostles or in each other.

Yes, we need one another, for the members of the body of Christ are vital channels through which God provides the grace we need to persevere, and this is a major part of why we join a local church (Heb 3:12-14; 10:24-25). However, we are not shocked when we fail one another, for none of us have yet “arrived” at perfection. In accepting one another as good gifts of God’s grace, we are also being called to be gracious in the face of each other’s failings.

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Evan