Mark 9
Sometimes reading through Jesus’ life is
a bit like a roller-coaster ride. Look at Mark 9 for instance. The
transfiguration is a high point, full of glory, excitement, wonder, and awe. Here
is Jesus the Son of God radiant in power and majesty. But then we plunge down
toward earth with him as He and the disciples return from mountain and he talks
about Elijah and the scribes. Then the account twists into spiritual conflict
as Jesus confronts demonic force with divine power! Finally, the ride slows in
a series of teachings.
If we are to know Jesus rightly along
this roller-coaster ride, we would do well to take Mark 9:30-32 to heart, where
Jesus teaches the disciples (again) that, “The Son of Man is going to be
delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed,
after three days he will rise.”
Why this passage and not the
transfiguration? Or the exorcism? Because it is here that Jesus lays out why
He came. His purpose was none other than to die our death. He had come to give
His life in place of ours, for ours were forfeit to sin. This is how Jesus
would have us know Him. He is the
crucified and risen one.
People have struggled with this ever
since … well, ever since Jesus said this. Mark tells us, “But [the disciples] did
not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask Him.” It is as if we were to
hear Jesus say, “I have come to die for you, but fear not! I will rise again!” and we were to respond, “That’s
cool. Can You do that neat trick where You make Your face shine like the sun
again? That was awesome!” We prefer Jesus to be glorious, shining, clean, and
majestic. However, He came to be beaten, abused, scorned, and bloody.
This is good news for us who often feel
that we ourselves are beaten, abused, scorned, and bloody as we face conflict,
strive for greatness and find ourselves coming short, and struggle against
temptation, feeling like we always lose. Jesus stands among sinners. He truly took
on what it means to be human, fallen. He bore it all to the cross so we could receive
His death as our own, and, one day, rise completely free from sin and death.
Lord Jesus, let me see You rightly, that I
might share You rightly. Help all people to believe You are loving and
compassionate to sinners. Amen.
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