Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

How do you feel when someone points out that you have been wrong? If you got an answer wrong on your math test, the teacher gives you a big red X. If you made a wrong turn on the street, the policeman gives you a ticket. Being wrong often earns a rebuke.

Jesus was a wonderful mentor to His disciples. He told them Divine secrets and revealed to them mysteries of God. He gave them power to perform mighty miracles, and the spirit of boldness to stand before crowds. But Jesus never let them get away with being wrong. He confronted them in love, and rebuked them in hopes of making them stronger.

One day, as Jesus was teaching, some mothers brought their children to Him to receive a blessing (Matthew 19). The disciples stepped in and told the parents to not bother the Master with their children. But Jesus rebuked them, and welcomed the children. People were always more important to Jesus than protocol.

On another occasion, the disciples complained to Jesus that some people across town were casting out demons in the Name of Jesus (Luke 9). The disciples thought that they were the only ones with this power. But again, Jesus corrected them and reminded them that they should not exclude others from the blessings of God.

When a tearful woman brought the alabaster jar of expensive perfume to the dinner, and began to anoint Jesus, the disciples complained that the jar should have been sold, and the money given to the poor (Matthew 26). Jesus rebuked them and reminded them that they had their priorities mixed up.

Finally, when some ungodly people dishonored Jesus, the disciples were ready to call down fire from Heaven to destroy them (Luke 9). While Jesus understood their viewpoint, He rebuked their solution to the situation. Being rash and hurtful is not the way of Christ.

It is important to admonish people who seem to be sincere, but are making unwise, or simply wrong, decisions. Speaking the truth in love is risky business. More than once, I have received an angry response when I tried to administer Biblical discipline to a wayward soul.

Consider Proverbs 3:11-12 ESV, “My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of His reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom He loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”

Jesus said in Revelation 3:19 ESV, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” And the Apostle Paul taught, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11 ESV)

Think it over!