Patience is a virtue of the character of Christ that a good many of us wish that we could make our own. We can see this patience demonstrated most clearly in Jesus’ dealings with His disciples. Imagine how frustrating it must have been for Jesus, as these men He had chosen were allowed to walk with the Creator of the universe, and yet they argued among themselves about which one of them was the greatest (Mark 9:34). Two of these men, James and John even asked Him for the honor of sitting on His right and left in His glory (Mark 10:35-45). What a trial this must have been for Him to see these men to whom He would commit the very message of salvation concerned with vain glory.

     As if selfish ambition was not enough of a problem, these men often seemed to misunderstand the very meaning of His teachings. In the gospel of Mark, when He is asked the meaning of the Parable of the Sower, we can almost hear the frustration in His voice when He asks “…Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?” (4:13, NKJV). This same frustration is seem in Matthew’s gospel when Jesus asks “…Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand…” (15:16-17).

     Probably the greatest test of Jesus’ patience with these men was their weak and faltering faith. He would see Peter walk to Him on the water, only to grow afraid and lose faith (Matthew 14:22-33). He would see several of His disciples unable to cast out an evil spirit because of their weak faith (Matthew 17:14-21). To the latter He would say in despair—“…O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?…” (Matthew 17:17).

     Thanks be to God that Jesus did bear with them. These flawed and frail men went on to become the His faithful servants and the bedrock of our faith (Ephesians 2:20). This could not have come about without the enduring, marvelous and remarkable patience which Jesus demonstrated towards them. Our own salvation and service to Him are no less dependent upon His patience. This serves as the ultimate example of what it means to be patient with others. As we rely upon the Lord’s patience with us, we must strive to exercise this same quality towards others.