Jesus will always call out our inner world. He did it for the disciples (Mark 9:14-33). Before we can be used mightily, we must be cleansed deeply. He does this inner work by asking the questions that deeply reveal our hearts. “What were you arguing about along the way?” He asked, knowing that the subject of the argument was revealing their inner world.
What we argue about, what we fight for, what we are jealous of, what we are passionate about, is an X-ray of our hearts.
Spiritual maturing is learning to deal with our hearts first and foremost, learning to hear the voice of the Spirit ask us the penetrating questions of what we are arguing about, why we are so passionate, so angry, so determined.
The Spirit goes to the inner fire through calling out our words and behaviors in order to prepare us for significant Kingdom impact. This moment with Jesus, though incredibly uncomfortable and even embarrassing, was developmental. It was not because he did not believe in them, but precisely the opposite. They would be key players in the Kingdom, but if the Kingdom work was not deeply done in their souls, the work they would do would not be Kingdom work, even if it was purported to be.