MARK 9
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS + HIS TEACHING ON TEMPTATION
Peter, James, and John are with Jesus as He is praying on the mountain. As He is praying, the appearance of Jesus and His clothes change and become dazzling white! He is no longer alone but in the glorious presence of Moses and Elijah. Jesus, Moses, and Elijah speak of the departure of Jesus, which soon will be fulfilled in Jerusalem. Moses is known for delivering God’s law to the Israelites, and Elijah was a great prophet who told of the coming of Jesus. These two men exemplify the main messages of the Old Testament, the law and the prophets, and their connection to Jesus shows His plan to fulfill their message. During this divine interaction, God says, “This is my Son,” instructing the disciples to listen to Jesus. This miraculous encounter is known as the transfiguration of Christ.
When Jesus is around a great crowd, a man approaches Him hoping that He would heal his son. The son was possessed by an unclean spirit, causing him to seize and foam at the mouth. This affliction had been with the son since childhood and caused him great harm. Jesus tells the man that all things are possible for those who believe. Responding with humility and honesty, the man expresses both his faith and concern, saying “I believe, but help my unbelief.” Jesus responds to the man and although the son appears dead, Jesus heals him and he rises to life. The disciples question why they are unable to drive out the spirit, and Jesus tells them that this healing requires prayer.
Jesus tells the disciples of His upcoming death, saying that He will suffer and be killed, but will rise from the dead on the third day. He later tells the disciples that the Son of man will be given over to the hands of men, but the disciples do not understand and are afraid to ask.
Debating amongst themselves, the disciples ask Jesus who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Instead of giving them a direct answer, He expresses the value of humility. Those who have child-like humility, faith, and wonder will be the ones to inherit God’s kingdom. Jesus confirms that whoever receives Him, receives God who sent Him.
The disciples witness someone, a man who is not with the disciples, cast out demons in the name of Jesus. They ask Him if they should stop this man, but Jesus allowed him to continue, saying that those who were not against them, were for them.
Jesus says that those who cause the faithful to sin are better off drowning in the sea. Because He loves His followers, Jesus hates the sin that causes them to stumble. He also warns against temptation. Using the example of hands, feet, eyes, and ears, He encourages removing temptations and causes to sin. Although Jesus is not literal in this message or advocating for self-harm, He is encouraging self-denial in areas that are common temptations for sin.
