As exciting as it must have been to be one of the Lord’s apostles, it also came with challenges – challenges for the apostles and for Jesus.

Handling Disputes

Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, ‘What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?’ But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. Mark 9:33-34

Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. Luke 9:46

Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. Luke 22:24

The Lord’s closest disciples (the apostles) “disputed” among themselves. Here they are following the Messiah and rightful King of Israel, the Son of God, and arguing with each other about who would be the greatest in the coming Kingdom of Jesus.

Something we might note here is that the apostles believed Jesus was King of a soon-coming Kingdom. That’s why they were disputing with each other. They weren’t having a theological argument about whether Jesus was really the promised Messiah who would one day rule Israel. They were arguing about their position in that Kingdom. Who would be the greatest?

Before we become too judgmental about the apostles disputing with each other, think about what you’ve witnessed in churches. Ever seen any Christians disputing with each other? I’ve seen so many in my life that it’s difficult to select the best example. I began my drift toward atheism because of disputes I witnessed in my church as a child and teenager. Even after becoming a Christian as an adult, I continued to see disputes that tore apart families, friendships and churches.

So, how did Jesus handle the dispute? He sat the twelve men down and taught them an important lesson.

And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.’ Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, ‘Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me. Mark 9:35-37

Did that end the dispute? Well, not exactly. It wasn’t long after this lesson that James and John came to Jesus and asked Him to do something for them. Jesus asked them what they wanted Him to do. They said, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in your glory” (Mark 10:37). The same account in Matthew 20 shows us that James and John’s mother was also involved in the request. The other apostles overheard the conversation and were “greatly displeased with James and John” (Mark 10:41) (“And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.” Matthew 20:24).

Jesus used this opportunity to share two important lessons with His apostles. First, what Jesus said to James and John in the hearing of their mother:

 But Jesus answered and said, ‘You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able.’ So He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father. Matthew 20:22-23

But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able.’ So Jesus said to them, ‘You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” Mark 10:38-40

Jesus confirmed that His Kingdom was coming, but who would sit on the right and left side of Him on the throne was a decision of the Father. That statement opposes those who say Jesus never claimed He was the Messiah and would be King of Israel. Jesus also told James and John that they would experience something similar to what He would face – rejection and death. As we know from reading the rest of the New Testament, James was killed by Herod and John was banished to an island by the Roman government. Each man did drink the cup that Jesus drank and was baptized with a similar baptism. Just as Jesus said would happen.

Jesus then spoke to all of His apostles. Ten of them were upset with James and John who wanted a higher position in the coming Kingdom, so Jesus used that as an opportunity to teach them again about the importance of being servant-leaders:

But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:42-45

Lessons in Leadership

The apostles gave Jesus many opportunities to talk with them about their leadership style. Jesus wanted them to lead the way He lead them. That’s one of the great benefits we get from reading the words of Jesus. Even as Jesus taught His apostles about servant-leadership, we see that’s what He wants from all His followers. If we only see the words of Jesus as a record of history, we’re missing out on what can change our hearts and minds. Jesus was preparing the apostles to make disciples and His method was servant-leadership.

Jesus knew He would soon return to Heaven. He had just told the apostles that He was going to be betrayed into the hands of men who would kill Him, but He would rise from the dead the third day. The apostles didn’t understand what Jesus was saying and were afraid to ask Him what He meant (Mark 10:31-32). The next thing we see in Mark 10 is the apostles arguing with each other about who would be the greatest in His Kingdom. Jesus used every opportunity with the apostles to teach and demonstrate what it would mean for them to be leaders in His Kingdom.

Mark 9 is a great chapter to read to learn some of these lessons of leadership. Soon after teaching the apostles about servant-leadership and being “servant of all,” John told Jesus that they (the apostles) had seen someone who didn’t follow them casting out demons in Jesus’ name. John said, “we forbade him because he does not follow us.” Time for another lesson in leadership:

But Jesus said, ‘Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another. Mark 9:39-50

John was concerned because a man was casting out demons in Jesus’ name, but was not part of the official discipleship group. The man, John said, “does not follow us.” While John might have had a real concern about protecting Jesus’ ministry, there’s also the possibility John was still thinking about the position he wanted as an apostle and leader in the group. Whatever John’s reason, Jesus taught him and the other apostles an important lesson.

The day would soon come where John and the other apostles would have to lead the Church that Jesus was building. They would need to understand how to work with a wide variety of people. Some people would come for the right reasons – some would not. How would John and the others know the difference?

Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side. 

Jesus confirmed that the man was working a miracle by casting out demons in His name. Jesus also confirmed that the man was “on our side.” An important part of servant-leadership is being able to identify friend or foe and to welcome people who may differ. Many people followed Jesus during His ministry and some were not part of the “official” group. The apostles would need to look deeper than externals to see true discipleship and intent.

Another thing we learn here is that there are “sides.” We know that Jesus is one side, but who is the other “side?” The context gives us a clue. The man was casting out “demons.” Demons are part of the “other side,” which is the devil’s side.

The apostles had seen Jesus cast out demons. Jesus had also given them power to cast out demons (Mark 3:15; Matthew 10:1). However, the apostles had also seen that casting out some demons was more difficult than others (Mark 9:17-18). They asked Jesus why they were unable to cast out the demon and Jesus replied – “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29). Another lesson.

Leadership is complicated and takes time to learn. Servant-leadership is more difficult because the leader also has the heart of a servant. How do you do that? Look to Jesus who will teach you.

Next Time

We will look at how Jesus dealt with other challenges from His apostles as we continue our special series, And Jesus Said.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Faith & Self Defense © 2025