Mark 9

Mark 9:1

I believe Jesus was speaking not of the Rapture or His Second Coming, but of the event that would take place six days later when Peter, James, and John would witness His Transfiguration.

Mark 9:2

His Transfiguration being a confirmation that He had led a sinless life, I believe that had He so chosen, Jesus could have gone directly to heaven at this pointleaving us with no explanation or justification for our sin before the Father. Instead, Jesus came down from Mount Hermon, the Mount of Transfiguration, to climb Mount Calvary, the Mount of Redemption.

Mark 9:4

Elijah representing the prophets, and Moses representing the Law, the Law and the Prophets were, in effect, conversing with Jesus.

Mark 9:5

Not knowing quite what to say, Peter blurted out, “Let’s build three monumentsone for Moses, one for Elijah and one for You"thereby putting Jesus on the same plane as the law and the prophets. The law, however, was given to drive people to Jesus. And the prophets gave predictions about Jesus. Therefore, Jesus is far above the law and the prophets.

Mark 9:7

Fortunately for Peter, the Father interrupted him, keeping him from making further mistakes.

Mark 9:8

This happens to us as well. There comes a time when, after looking around, you realize there is no one save Jesus who is worthy of your attention, your affection, your adulation. In all that He is, in all that He says, in all that He’s done, He’s perfect. So we come together not to celebrate our righteousness or to congratulate ourselves on our morality, activism or accomplishments, but because we have discovered there is none worthy of praise save Jesus only.

Mark 9:9

The scribes quoted Malachi, who predicted Elijah would come before the Messiah set up His kingdom (Mal_4:5).

Mark 9:12

Caught up in a fiery chariot because his ministry was not yet over, Elijah didn’t die. He is to come before the Second Coming of Christ and proclaim throughout the nation of Israel the truth concerning Christ Jesus. And yet, Jesus says, he is already come. In Matthew 11 we see Jesus saying that John the Baptist had come in the same spirit as Elijah. Yet when asked if he was Elijah, John the Baptist said, “No” (Joh_1:21). John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ at His first coming, came in the same spirit of Elijah. But Elijah himself will prepare the way for Christ’s Second Coming.

Mark 9:14

In the account that follows, we first see the disputing scribes. According to this account as recorded in Matthew 17, we know the scribes were arguing and debating with the disciples concerning the reality of demons. So here are the religious scholars debating theology even as a boy was suffering tragically. How true this is of our society today. People debate, argue, and question while all around us people are dying.

Mark 9:15

Second, we see the despairing father. Luke gives further insight when he tells us this son was the only son of this father (Luk_9:38). Catch the contrast: Up on the mountain, the heavenly Father said, “This is My beloved Son.” Here in the valley, a heartbroken father says,” Please help my bedeviled son."

Mark 9:18

Third, we see the demonized son. When Jesus called Satan a murderer and a liar (Joh_8:44), He was not only identifying Satan’s personality, but His job description as well. Murder and lying are all he does.

Mark 9:19

Fourth, we see our dynamic Lord. First, He issues a compassionate invitation when He says, “Bring the child to Me.” The father had come seeking help from the disciples, but the disciples were unable to help. So, too, perhaps you have brought a child, a friend, a co-worker to church or Sunday School, but they were not helped. That’s okay, for if you bring anyone to where the disciples of Jesus are, guess who will show up sooner or later. Jesus Himself. Through a testimony shared, a study given, a story told, a song sungsomething will happen. Jesus will come. “Bring your child to Me,” Jesus said. How? Morning by morning in intercession, teaching him what you’re learning from the Word as you do errands together, making sure he’s growing through fellowship with other believers. The cause of destruction is Satan. The cure is Jesus. The question is: Will you bring your friends and family to Him?

Mark 9:20

Notice Jesus’ command of the situation. As this one is frothing at the mouth, Jesus calmly asks, “How long ago was it when this began?” Jesus was not sweating, shaking, or working Himself into a Pentecostal fervor. Rather, He was simply carrying on a very normal conversation.

Mark 9:23

Notice Jesus’ convicting exhortation. “You’re asking Me if I can do anything,” He says. “But let Me ask you, Can you do this one thing? Can you believe?” The Bible says without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb_11:6). Therefore, concerning the son who’s not saved, the daughter you’re wondering about, the parents you know are far from God, this is what Jesus asks you: “Can you believe? Will you believe?” Faith the size of the mustard seed can move mountains that seem insurmountable. But even though a mustard seed is small, it is also alive. Thus, the faith that moves mountains is not a remnant of leftover faith. It is a growing faith. The question is, Are you willing to plant it in the soil of hope, water it with the Word, and see it take root to move the mountain?

Mark 9:28

Finally, we see the disturbed disciples. “This kind of problem will not be solved by sharing pearls of wisdom, trying to be a better dad, or following some family program,” Jesus told them. “This kind of spiritual warfare is won only through fasting and prayer.” How did we have time to fast and pray? the disciples must have wondered. After all, they certainly didn’t know this problem would be laid at their feet that day. But that’s the point. We never know when the moment for miraculous ministry will come our way or be needed in our families. Therefore, we must maintain a life of prayer and fasting because when the demonized boy is before you, it’s too late to start. Why were the disciples not maintaining a habit of prayer and fasting? I wonder if it wasn’t due in part to the fact that they might have been feeling sorry for themselves. Thanks a lot, Lord, they could have thought. You take Peter, James, and Johnyour favoritesup on the mountain. They see You shine. They hear the voice from heaven. They get to see Elijah and Moses. Us? We’re down here at the bottom, forsaken and forgotten. If so, how like us they would have been. So often we think, I never get called to sing or to teach Bible studies. So why should I fast or pray? And because we feel we’re not important or useful, we give up. But once a year, once every five years, once in a lifetime an opportunity comes our way that is essential, importantan opportunity to move in the miraculous, to see salvation. Something exceedingly important could take place, but we’re impotent and powerless because we haven’t been praying, fasting, reading the Word, or seeking the Lord. As a father, I have no other recourse than to maintain a life of prayer and fasting because I never know when the Enemy will strike one of my kids. He has; he does; he will. And as a believer, I have no other recourse than to maintain a close walk with God because I never know the next conversation that will open up before me at the grocery story or in the park with a neighbor that will impact them for eternity. “But I’ve never been used,” you say. Ah, but you might have the greatest opportunity for earth-shaking, life-changing ministry in the next moment or the next day. Therefore be ready.

Mark 9:30

On His way to Jerusalem, His face set like a flint (Isa_50:7), Jesus didn’t want to be slowed down nor derailed.

Mark 9:31

As Jesus was headed to Jerusalem to die, His disciples were arguing along the way.

Mark 9:34

No doubt the disciples were embarrassed to admit the subject of their discussion. But if I were Jesus, I would have rebuked them radically. Instead, rather than coming down on them for wanting to be the greatest, He gives them five foundational principles of true greatness…

Mark 9:35

The first principle of greatness Jesus shares with His disciples is to treat all men equally. And to illustrate this, Jesus took a child in his arms. If you want to get ahead in life in the world’s eyes, you don’t take time to hang out with children. They can’t do anything for your career. All they do is take from you and depend on you. I believe this refers to anyone who’s little, anyone who’s “less"be it chronologically or economically, socially or mentally. The truly great person embraces them all in the name of Jesus.

Mark 9:38

Second, to be truly great, we are not only to treat everyone equally but also to be as magnanimous as we possibly can beeven toward those who are not traveling with us denominationally or theologically. There are very few things we should take seriously in this life. And yet sometimes we want to fight and take issue over anything and everything. “Those guys are casting out demons and they’re not with us,” John said. “Relax,” Jesus said. “Anyone who even gives a cup of cold water in My name will be blessed.”

Mark 9:42

Third, the truly great person handles others with sensitivity. Paul says the same thing when he says, “Don’t eat meat offered to idols if it will cause those weaker in their faith to stumble” (1Co_8:13). I have observed that truly great people are always aware of those weaker in faith around them and therefore won’t flaunt their liberty if it will trip up someone else in his walk with Jesus.

Mark 9:43

Fourth, the truly great person deals with himself radicallyfor although he is to be magnanimous and sensitive toward others, he is to be radical and ruthless concerning the sin in his own life. The world tells us to stand up for our rights and that we deserve a breakin other words, to be harsh with others, but to go easy on ourselves. The key to greatness, however, is to reverse the order. Jesus says, “Deal radically with whatever it is in your life that’s hindering you.” And you and I know exactly what those things are. It doesn’t take morbid introspection or hours of analysis to figure them out. No, you and I know at this moment what thing or things there might be in our lives that cause offense in us. And if we want to be great, we’ll cut them out.

Mark 9:49

The fifth and final secret to greatness is to live with all men peaceably. In the Middle East during Bible timesand even to a certain degree todaywhen a peace treaty is made, it’s salted. That is, bread was salted, broken, and shared between the two parties. Theirs being a hot, desert climate, salt was invaluable in stemming the effects of dehydration. Leviticus 2 dictates that the sacrifices offered to the Lord were to be salted as opposed to sweetened with honey. Why was honey not used? Isn’t our fellowship with the Lord to be sweet? Honey was forbidden because in high temperatures it breaks down. So, too, my attempt to be “sweet” doesn’t hold up in heat. The only way to have peace is to have Jesus Christ, the hope of glory within me. Treat all men equally. Be as magnanimous as you possibly can be. Handle others with sensitivity. Deal with yourself radically. Live with all men peaceably. These are not prerequisites for us to be saved. If they were, we’d never make it. No, through the Spirit living within us, these are not requirements for salvationbut for greatness.