Jesus didn’t give up on his followers even when they didn’t understand or didn’t follow well.

Then Jesus and his followers left that place and went through Galilee. He didn’t want anyone to know where he was, because he was teaching his followers. He said to them, “The Son of Man will be handed over to people, and they will kill him. After three days, he will rise from the dead.” But the followers did not understand what Jesus meant, and they were afraid to ask him. (Mark 9:30-32)

Jesus had told his followers what would happen to him, but they didn’t seem to comprehend it. Much of his teaching was beyond their grasp. Jesus’ teaching wasn’t always simple, which could prompt some followers to give up and turn away. But Jesus kept teaching. He never gave up, because he is dependable. He never fails us.

Even when you don’t understand or follow well, Jesus doesn’t give up on you. Jesus patiently endures your growth process. Jesus gets frustrated with spiritual dullness and lack of faith, but he doesn’t give up on people, because he loves people. God’s love is unending and unconditional. We don’t give up on the people we love. Jesus gives up on no one.

Jesus shows his unfailing love even when he’s suffering an excruciating death on the cross: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Even as people betrayed and murdered him, Jesus didn’t give up on the people he came to save. He recognized lack of and limited understanding. Jesus knows how spiritually inept we are, yet he is patient. Jesus’ love is unfailing. Be honest with yourself. Then trust Jesus to meet you where you are and provide everything you need.

We know that the law is spiritual, but I am not spiritual since sin rules me as if I were its slave. I do not understand the things I do. I do not do what I want to do, and I do the things I hate. And if I do not want to do the hated things I do, that means I agree that the law is good. But I am not really the one who is doing these hated things; it is sin living in me that does them. Yes, I know that nothing good lives in me—I mean nothing good lives in the part of me that is earthly and sinful. I want to do the things that are good, but I do not do them. I do not do the good things I want to do, but I do the bad things I do not want to do. So if I do things I do not want to do, then I am not the one doing them. It is sin living in me that does those things So I have learned this rule: When I want to do good, evil is there with me. In my mind, I am happy with God’s law. But I see another law working in my body, which makes war against the law that my mind accepts. That other law working in my body is the law of sin, and it makes me its prisoner. What a miserable man I am! Who will save me from this body that brings me death? I thank God for saving me through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:14-25)