Day Nine - Mark 9

The Gospel of Mark is so action-packed that there is a huge amount to cover. Inevitably we will need to skip over some sections, but I hope you are finding exploring this gospel useful.

At the start of Chapter 9, Jesus led Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, generally thought to be Mount Hermon.

“There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.”

Mark 9:2-4

What a sight for Peter, James, and John to behold?

They witnessed the exact sign the Pharisees had called for, a divine confirmation that Jesus was the Messiah. Peter offered to build three shelters for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, misunderstanding that Jesus stood above them all.

“This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

Mark 9:7

Jesus is not a lawmaker or a prophet, he is God’s own son.

The disciples must have been totally overwhelmed by the experience, to witness Jesus in dazzling white garments and hear the voice of God.

But…

Don’t tell anybody!

Sorry, what?

We find this unusual pattern again in Mark where, after the most spiritual high of their lives, the disciples are asked to keep quiet. You can imagine the reaction of the rest of the disciples when Peter, James, and John came down the mountainside and said nothing about what had happened.

What goes on the mountain, stays on the mountain!

Mark has no qualms about pointing out the failings of the disciples and as they tried to heal a boy possessed by an impure spirit, Jesus had to step in. He’d given them authority to heal, but they hadn’t been able to do it on this occasion. As they left that place, Jesus shared with them for a second time:

“The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise”

Mark 9:31.

They didn’t understand what he meant and were too afraid to ask.

I wonder if we would have constantly missed the point of who Jesus is, if we were part of the group gathered on that day.

I wonder if we miss the point now!

After overhearing the disciples arguing about who was the greatest, Jesus sat them down.

“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Mark 9:35

This message goes against the grain of everything our society holds dear and remains a challenge for Christians today. Take heart from the experience of the disciples, we’re all learning how to have a servant's heart together.

Something to think about…

In what ways is Jesus’ message of servanthood countercultural to the way the world works today?

In what ways do you struggle to have a servant heart like Jesus?

Spend time praying for his help and guidance in this area.

Kay Moorby