Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was at home, he asked the disciples, “What were you arguing about on the road?” They were silent. On the road they had argued about who was the greatest. [Mark 9:33-34 (GW)]

Even for the best of friends, traveling together can be challenging, if not downright difficult. The twelve disciples traveled with Jesus for about three and a half years. What was that like? Mark tells us they bickered among themselves. This probably was not the first time and certainly wasn’t the last time there was discord among the disciples. Matthew and Thomas may have been a bit jealous that Peter, James and John seemed to be Jesus’ favorites. Peter may have argued with Judas about the way he handled their treasury. For all we know, Simon might have complained that Philip snored. The disciples were twelve ordinary men with the same weakness we all have: impatience, jealousy, gossip, pride, anger, etc. One of the twelve, in fact, would betray their leader. The gospels never say the disciples were without sin; only Jesus was!

It’s good to know that we have a traveling companion in Jesus who always knows the way, won’t complain, and never asks, “Are we there yet?” We walk with the one who knows when we’re tired and hungry, who provides for our needs, and both loves and forgives us. He leads us on the one true road to life. Thank you, Jesus, for being with us wherever we go.

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going. So how can we know the way?” Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me. [John 14:5-6 (GW)]