How one action-packed chapter leads me to reflect on today

By Dean Collins

When is it time to let go of old arguments and ideas and simply follow Jesus? I suspect many could confess that we often make the same mistakes we read about the disciples making. And we may also stubbornly or secretly aspire to be seen as those who are right. And, maybe worse, we may fall into the trap of also wanting to be seen as the most successful.

Action packed

All of these situations and emotions occurred to me as I read Mark 9. It’s an action-packed chapter. It opens with an interesting reference to when the kingdom will come with power, which was a reference either to the resurrection or more likely to Pentecost. This chapter is filled with dramatic moments that include the transfiguration, the failure of the disciples to cast out a demon, the usual arguments between the teachers of the law and Jesus, and a few other teaching moments Jesus had with his disciples.

One of these moments had to do with another fellow who was casting out demons in the name of Jesus. The disciples tried to stop him because he was not in the official group of disciples traveling with Jesus. Jesus quickly told the disciples not to interrupt anyone who is doing something good in the name of Jesus. Even a cup of water offered in the name of Jesus is a worthy offering.

As I read the chapter, I noted at least 13 different stories and/or teachings in these 50 verses. Most scholars agree that Peter is the source of the content of Mark’s Gospel. As I read today, I tried to imagine how Mark got Peter to tell him about his time with Jesus. Peter seems like the kind of guy who probably didn't sit still long or often. As a fisherman, he could probably tell a good fish story, but I am guessing he wasn't much of a note taker. All this means it’s possible Mark was often catching Peter in moments where he could record details that eventually became the Gospel record.

Highs and lows

What struck me were the highs and lows of this chapter. Transformational encounters with Jesus on one extreme, and the disciples avoiding a question from Jesus on the other. The disciples did not seem to want to disclose they were talking about who would be the greatest in the coming kingdom. The chapter also includes the seeming failure of the disciples to do things Jesus had told them they had the authority to do, including casting out demons.

I got to thinking about how I experience the Gospel of Jesus on a given day. How many times do I experience mountaintop experiences and maybe hours later try to avoid discussing something with Jesus I’m thinking about. How many times do I read or remember Jesus’ teachings and yet have trouble following through with what I understand I am to do?

And what about the times we may feel like a failure or, worse, become jealous when someone else has success and we don’t. The disciples were trying to figure out why they couldn’t cast out a demon. They certainly weren’t surprised that Jesus could. But I bet they didn’t like it much that someone they didn't know might have had success casting out demons when they couldn’t. And that guy wasn't even in the group Jesus called his disciples. Maybe we, like the disciples, get a little prickly when someone else might be seen as better, greater, smarter, more talented, or more spiritual. Humility does not always feel good.

Sacrifice daily

The chapter ends with this phrase: “For everyone will be salted with fire.” The verse goes on to remind us that salt is good but if we lose our saltiness it’s hard to get it back. The implication is that we offer ourselves as a sacrifice daily, which reveals the goodness and mercy of God to those around us. His kindness is reflected by our words and our actions.

We will have days very similar to the days of those who followed Jesus in person. Even now over 2,000 years later we still live with resurrection power flowing in us as we surrender to Jesus. Because the Holy Spirit lives in us and works through us, we can recover from our weakest moments and be used by God for his kingdom purposes again and again. And like the disciples, we must remember that our mission has nothing to do with our greatness and everything to do with showing the greatness of God to others through the way we love and sacrifices we make each day. Today is a new opportunity to do just that.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭Mark‬ ‭9:33-41‬ ‭ESV

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