Mark 9
by Philip Layton
The Transfiguration, an exorcism, serving one another and avoiding sin
Discussion Questions
- Take a look at verses 10 and 32. Is it fair to say that the disciples were slow to understand Jesus’ teaching and mission?
- How can you be a servant?
Share your thoughts below, or tweet about it with the #boundlessbible hashtag. Don't forget this week's Children's Challenge!
Going Deeper – from 'Words of Life'
Discipleship means learning. Learning comes through listening, believing, reasoning and doing. If we only listen, yet do not act on what we hear, then the lessons are lost on us. Knowledge has to be applied to everyday life. As we grow, we take on new ideas and assume different ways of looking at life and people. But what happens if we are fixed in those old ways?
A good friend of our family is a brilliant musician; we have known him from the start of his career. He studied and obtained a doctorate in music and we continue to call him by his first name. However, when he came to lead a music weekend we found ourselves having to introduce him to the congregation as ‘a VIP’. What should we call him? The piece of paper which had been hastily passed to him returned: his name was written – no title, no credentials – and he looked over at us with a smile!
Do we wonder how Peter, James and John felt after this privileged moment of the Transfiguration? They were used to thinking of the Messiah as the Son of God who would come in triumph and here they witness the divine affirmation: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’ (v 7).
They had this marvellous experience with Jesus, Moses and Elijah. Surely they should now be introducing God’s Chosen One to others. But after the descent, they are told to keep quiet about it all until the Son of Man has risen from the dead. Their thinking must change. ‘The Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected’ are the words that accompany them. (Son of God; Son of Man – two titles used for our Lord.)
John the Baptist, the messenger who prepares the way for the Messiah, has come. He has not been welcomed by the political powers and has been executed. Why should it be any different for the Son of Man and his followers?
Beverly Ivany
Tags: Mark