Mark 10.17-43

Title: Markers of the Followers

Text: Mark 10.17-43

Introduction: Paul said in 2 Corinthians 13.5: ⁵ Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.

Mark is saying something similar to us, here in our text this morning: – he’s outlining for us certain markers to identify – to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith. I think a lot of people assume they’re in the faith. Let’s look to see what markers he shares with us about Christ. Mark 10 is where we are, beginning in v 17; ¹⁷ And as he was setting out on his journey…

It appears Jesus is just now turning toward Jerusalem. And, in fact, if you consider how he’s traveled around northern Israel as of late in these figure 8 outlines, you’d probably agree. I don’t, but I can see why some scholars do. I think he’s just packing up from where he is and headed toward where he’s been heading all along – to Jerusalem – to the cross. Rd 17; a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

This is a good sign that someone is searching and possibly open to the Gospel. In Acts 2, they ask Peter a similar question as they are cut to the heart: Brothers, what must we do? As in, in light of what you’ve just told us, what must we do?

ill.: There is an evangelism class I like to teach. One of the lessons in that study is about discernment. It is noted in this study, that just such a question is a clue that someone is open to the Gospel. However, just because someone is open, doesn’t mean they’re ready. We’ll see that in this passage because v 22 tells us he departed disheartened. But at least there is a sign that the Holy Spirit is at work in this person’s life.

But for now, as an evangelist – and that is what you are. Say it with me: I am an evangelist! Oh, some of you were already asleep. Say that with me: I am an evangelist!

A few years ago, I heard a preacher say: The lowest requirement of any disciple is to share his/her faith with others.

I don’t know if it is true or not, I’ve not seen some scale that marks that as the lowest. I think loving each other would rank up there with the minimum amount required. However, I think that preacher was on to something. Jesus commissioned us all to share the gospel. You don’t hire someone to do that for you. You can call a youth pastor or a worship pastor, and the list goes on. You can hire someone to mow your yard and clean the facilities. But you cannot hire someone to witness for you.

That makes you an evangelist.

So, mister and misses evangelist, what are these markers Mark is listing for us?

Markers:

1. A life that is totally devoted to Christ. There is no one or no thing that rises above him. Period.
2. A heart that recognizes: you still have a long way to go. This is piety. Comparing yourself to someone else may make you feel like you’ve arrived, but comparing yourself to Christ leaves you way short of the intended goal.
3. A mind that has a clear understanding of the Gospel: the suffering death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
4. A purpose that identifies your place in the economy of God: I am a slave.

Transition: we’ll look for these markers as we make our way through this passage. They appear in this storyline of position and pride. Right? That is what all of these stories deal with: position and pride.

1^st, we have a young man who thinks he’ll get into heaven because he has kept the law since he was young (20).

2^nd, Peter thinks he has attained some level of recognition because, as he puts it: we have left everything and followed you (20). I suppose, he makes this statement in comparison to this rich, young man.

3^rd, James and John begin bucking for position in the new Kingdom. Namely, these two wish to sit at Christ’s right and left – the two highest positions of recognition to Christ. It makes sense. I mean, other than Peter, who would you think belonged there? These three have been the closest to Jesus throughout this journey. And in case you don’t know it, it’s about to end. The triumphal entry is in Chapter 11.1.

Jesus and the disciples are coming near to the end. After the Triumphal entry, there is one week left. And, for Jesus, three of those days will be spent in the tomb!

So let’s look at these stories.

I.  A young man who thinks he’s kept the law.

exp.: rd v 18; Hold on to this question and the thoughts you’re having. I think the point Jesus is for this man not to think more highly of himself than he ought. You can see this in the next couple of verses: rd v 19-21; this 1^st part covers the last 6 commandments. He ends with the 1^st command in the 2^nd level – honor your father and mother; and, he changes do not covet with do not defraud. My guess is that because this guy is rich, he doesn’t necessarily covet what his neighbors have; all of these commandments are concrete except coveting. And defrauding someone is the concrete form Jesus uses with this man. Many of the rich got that way by defrauding others. I wonder if this young man responds quickly and without thinking about what Christ has said. That’s the 1^st part of the commandments. The young man responds: “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” Really? All of it? Well,…

The 2^nd part covers the 1^st 4 commandments! i.e.: go, sell all you have, give it to the poor, and follow me. And that is the problem this young man has is that he thinks being good will get him into heaven.

ill.: If you’re sitting here this morning and you think you’re good enough to get into heaven – you’d better think again. You can obey the last 6 commandments perfectly and still wind up in hell. Do you hear me? Being good doesn’t get you into heaven!

app.: Jesus basically says here – you’ve obeyed the last 6 commandments pretty well. But, unless I’m 1^st in your life, you’ll never have eternal life.

t.s.: Just like the young man here, you’ll depart disheartened. Storyline #2:

II.  A zealous disciple who thinks he’s sacrificed everything to follow Christ.

exp.: In our story, the young man departs with his head down. His money, his idols, his possession mean more to him than eternal life. The disciples are blown away when they watch this young man walk away. Rd v 23-27; Peter must be inspired with this speech of Jesus. Rd v 28; I think you just missed something. Go back. Do you see it? Man, this is great staging, great drama: Peter began…to say. The NIV misses this. Peter began to brag and Jesus speaks up over him: rd v 29ff; highlight with persecutions;

ill.: Then, Jesus illustrates this with a third reminder: the coming passion.

app.: ³¹ But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” “Look at me, I’m the example,” Jesus says.

t.s.: Now, We’ve seen the 1^st marker missed by the young man: Markers:

1. A life that is totally devoted to Christ. And, we’ve seen that Peter is lacking humility and piety, which is marker #2.
2. A heart that recognizes: you still have a long way to go. We’ve seen marker #3 in Christ, who will demonstrate perfect humility and piety in the gospel.
3. A mind that has a clear understanding of the Gospel: the suffering death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

Transition: You’d think at this moment the disciples would be on it. Remember, this isn’t the 1^st time he’s said this. We’re in the midst of the 3^rd cycle where Jesus has told them plainly that he will go to Jerusalem and die. You would think that they’ve got this by now. But this leads us to the two brothers vying for position and power.

III.  Two zealous brothers who think they’re able to drink the cup of Christ and experience his baptism.

exp.: rd v 35-37; rd v 38a; That should be a real attention grabber for them. You do not know what you are asking. Rd 38b; and boldly they say, yes: rd v 39a; they don’t know that his cup is suffering and persecution; they don’t know that his baptism is by fire!

ill.: Do you ever figure when you’re praying that you have no idea what you’re asking? Do you ever wonder if when you ask God to do this or to do that – you have no idea what you are asking for?

This should get our attention. Jesus identifies this last marker for us:

4. A purpose that identifies your place in the economy of God: I am a slave.

app.: your purpose is His glory! That might be through death. That’s exactly what happens here. James will be the 1^st one of these disciples to die.

t.s.: Here’s the catch – here is what Mark is driving home story by story…

1. Jesus lays out the Law for the young ruler: All these I have kept from my youth; Jesus basically says: no, you haven’t
2. Peter says: We left everything – we’ve sacrificed everything to follow you. Jesus says: no, you haven’t
3. The brothers ask: Let us sit on your right and on your left; Are you able to drink and be baptized … They say, “we are.” And Jesus says: No, No, No… you don’t even know what you’re asking for…

 Conclusion: So, we have these Markers…markers that help us examine ourselves, to test ourselves to see if we are indeed in the faith.

So now, let us examine ourselves. Look for these markers in your life: Do you have…

1. A life that is totally devoted to Christ? Or, could Jesus peg you and cause you to drop your head, turn away and leave disheartened?
2. A heart that recognizes: you still have a long way to go? This is piety. Comparing yourself to someone else may make you feel like you’ve arrived, but comparing yourself to Christ leaves you way short of the intended goal.
3. A mind that has a clear understanding of the Gospel: the suffering death, burial and resurrection of Christ?
4. A purpose that identifies your place in the economy of God? That you are a slave.

Prayer; Invitation;

Mark 10.1-16

Title: The Family: God’s Design

Text: Mark 10.1-16

I want to try something. You’ve all seen movies and TV, I’m guessing you’ll know what to say when I do this. Hello, my name is Fred and I’m a sinner.

Congregation: Hello, Fred.

Let me begin with a story: It was a political time and of course, being outspoken, I waxed eloquently about the sinfulness of abortion, the right to life, and the need for us to pick a leader who would stand for Life! I don’t remember even saying it, but later, Lisa came and spoke to me about what I had said. Someone there at that gathering couldn’t face this judgmental legalist. What was passed on to me through my wife was this: I was right in what I said, but I needed to be aware that when I’m harping on the sinfulness of abortion, there might just be someone in my presence who has experienced it. And for those who had gone through the pain of abortion, their suffering in silence needed my message of hope and forgiveness. My ‘lightning bolts’ and ‘thunderous’ preaching needed to be offset with a little bit of rain.

I look back on that time with shame. I wish I could have presented myself with more of God’s grace and mercy. Abortion is wrong, it is murder, but where there is shame, there is mercy and forgiveness, too.

Did you catch that? Where there is shame, there is mercy and forgiveness, too. That’s my sermon this morning! Because, when you look at any family, there is no perfect family. It is a unit of sinful people.

You see, what’s ironic about all of this, is I’m a sinner in need of God’s mercy, too. I don’t often think of mercy in areas I’ve never needed it. I’ve never had an abortion nor have I been party to one. As for family, Lisa and I have been married almost 40 years – next year we’ll celebrate 40 years of marriage! And in that time, I have not been the perfect husband, father, son or son-in-law. I have knelt before God in need of his mercy, begging for his forgiveness. I have had to ask pretty much every family member to forgive me for something, at some time.

Now, You’ve heard the passage read today and you’re probably thinking: uh, oh! Well, I don’t think it will be that bad. Yes, where we have failed, there is a sense of guilt – I say a sense because God’s forgiveness removes our guilt, but it doesn’t remove the feelings – not totally. And if you’re divorced then there is always someone in the church to remind you that you’re a failure. Well, that isn’t the goal here. Because, I wouldn’t say you’re a failure, but rather your marriage failed. There is a huge difference between those two.

So, let me reiterate this premise: all of us here today are sinners, but where there is shame, there is mercy and forgiveness, too. I want you to know that I’m not casting stones today.

To help us understand what Mark is doing, let’s review our context. I think context gives us what we’re looking for in helping us understand this passage. Taking the words at face value, without context, sets us up for legalism.

Context

Now last week, I think I had a couple of folks get lost in this phase of establishing the context. I mentioned that there is a cycle that repeats itself three times in 8.22-10.52. Mark is showing us something – he’s giving us context:

You’ll find in each cycle, three key elements:

1. The Passion Prediction: Jesus will suffer and be mistreated by evil men; they will kill him, but 3 days later he will rise again.
2. A Zealous Response on the part of the disciples: Peter, John, James & John;
3. Jesus Teaching on what True Discipleship looks like – misunderstanding what following Jesus means, Jesus then teaches those with him what it means to be a true follower.

Jesus says:

1. You understand me to be the Messiah. You want to follow me and be like me, good. Let me tell you what the Messiah looks like. I will travel to Jerusalem where I will be betrayed into the hands of sinful men who will shamefully mistreat me and kill me. But, after three days, I will rise again.
2. The Disciples do not understand what Jesus is saying and demonstrate that with a zealous response:
   1. Peter rebuking Jesus.
   1. John, rebuking a man who isn’t in their group.
   1. James and John ask for positions next to Christ in the new kingdom.
3. Jesus then says: Uh-Uh… you’re not getting it. Disciples of the Messiah are different than what you’re expecting. They aren’t selfish and self-seeking. They don’t want positions of power and prestige to my right or to my left. They are like me – they give of themselves on behalf of others.

That’s the cycle, and we see it in

1. 8.31-9.1; the 2^nd in
2. 9.30-50; and the final cycle in
3. 10.32-45

So, contextually, Jesus is teaching them what the Messiah truly looks like and what disciples or followers of the Messiah look like. That’s our context: What a true disciple of Christ looks like.

Transition: Now, we’re in Chapter 10, verse 1. Rd 10.1; More detail, more “context” is given here. He moves from private teaching (9.35) to more public teaching. Crowds are gathered and the Pharisees are there. Next, Christ moves from teaching the crowds to addressing the topic the Pharisees have given him (rd 10.2): Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife? Here is where it gets quiet. All eyes are focused on him. What will he say?

I think verse one is important in gaining context because Mark tells us where Jesus is. Do you remember the two men who appeared with Christ when he was transfigured before the disciples on that mountain? Elijah and Moses. This place, where Mark tells us Jesus is teaching, is near where both of those men ended their lives. This place is where a chariot of fire separated Elijah from Elisha and Elijah then went up in a whirlwind to heaven. This is also the place where Moses preached his last sermon – the book of Deuteronomy. This is the topic under discussion – Deuteronomy; and the place Moses was before he marched up Mount Nebo and died.

This is the topic because the Pharisees bring it up. But why? To Test him – this is the same word used of the devil in 1.13, when he was tested, or tempted by the devil in the wilderness when he fasted for 40 days. They’re trying to trip him up, just like Satan. Cf.: 8.11

A Trap is Set: More Context

This is not only the area where Elijah was taken up and where Moses preached his last sermon, but it was also the place where John did his baptizing. He preached against Herod Antipas and Herodias and their immoral relationship. Herod had taken his brother’s wife and was in an immoral relationship with her. He had tossed the law of God under the bus so that he might fulfill his own selfish desires. Maybe, and I don’t know that this was their motive, but I tie it to this word describing their actions as that of the devil’s in chapter one – maybe they hope he will be like John the Baptist. Maybe they’re hoping Jesus will get on his high horse and criticize the King. If he would do that, they could run to the king and condemn his actions. Which by the way, is what they eventually will do. Not by telling the King that Jesus preached against his immorality, but that Jesus set himself up as a king. And when confronted with this, Pilate sought to set Jesus free, but they said to him, if you do, you’re not a friend of Caesar’s. And so Pilate throws it back at them and they say: We have no king, but Caesar!

With this understanding, (they’re trying to trap Jesus as he is teaching the people), Jesus gives them his answer: he answers with a question: rd v 3; What does the Bible say? Rd v 4; “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” Read Deuteronomy 24.1-4:

24 “When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, and she departs out of his house, ² and if she goes and becomes another man’s wife, ³ and the latter man hates her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter man dies, who took her to be his wife, ⁴ then her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination before the Lord. And you shall not bring sin upon the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.

From that, the Pharisees condense that law down to: “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.

They have missed it. 1^st,

1. They like the part that reads, if then she finds no favor in his eyes…
2. However, they totally overlook that part that reads, because he has found some indecency in her… the Hebrew word used here for indecency means she was found naked and her behavior improper; the LXX understands this word and translates it in the Greek as he has found her in an ugly affair. Not affair as a euphemism in the 21^st Century, but rather meaning matter. So, to be fair, Moses doesn’t say adultery – and that makes sense. That law has already been addressed. She should be put to death. So, it is a serious matter outside of adultery. Just what? We don’t know.

Well, the religious leadership wanted to nail that down – so they outlined what some indecency in her might mean. And they came up with some of the following answers

• If she burned his meal.
• If she feeds him food that isn’t Kosher
• If he finds someone more beautiful than her because she finds no favor in his eyes.

Review: They have missed it because they like the part she finds no favor in his eyes, and they’ve missed it because they re-define where he finds some indecency in her, and they’ve missed it because

• The law here is he may not take her again to be his wife. All the rest are conditions being set.

24 “When a man takes a wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, and she departs out of his house, ² and if she goes and becomes another man’s wife, ³ and the latter man hates her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter man dies, who took her to be his wife, ⁴ then her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination before the Lord. And you shall not bring sin upon the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.

She is defiled because there is no longer a purity between the 1^st husband and the woman. The Religious leadership then took it upon themselves to ignore the law of God and interpret their own desires into God’s law. Eventually making it so that a man could put away his wife simply because he wanted someone different; someone younger, prettier, richer, or whatever!

The Savior knows their hearts; he knows their motives. They aren’t interested in the doctrine of Divorce. They want to trap him. They want him to say something that goes against their traditions and teachings. They want him to upset the King. They want to give him enough rope that he will hang himself. But Jesus doesn’t fall for it. rd v 5;

The Law was given to show us our Sinfulness

The commandment stems from your hard hearts. (Hard Hearts has been an underlying theme through these passages) That was never God’s plan for marriage, for God created marriage. Rd 6-9; His plan was perfect. His plan for marriage is perfect. It is His idea! Do any other combination outside of this picture and you destroy what God has made. And that is what he teaches us!

• Two men – that’s not marriage – that’s an abomination; punishment: put them to death.
• Two women – that’s not marriage – that’s an abomination; punishment: put them to death.
• Adultery – that’s not marriage – that, too is an abomination; punishment: death.

The list goes on: incest, bestiality, fornication, pedophilia – read Leviticus 17-18; The punishment was so severe as to demonstrate to others that God detests something other than what he made. That’s why he gave us His Law – to show us that we are sinners and we need his forgiveness.

Rd v 6-7; this Gk word translated Hold Fast means to be faithfully devoted to; most lit.: to glue to;

Illustration: In the movie Master and Commander of the far side of the World, there is an old, old sailor on the boat. On his hands, right about here, he has letters tattooed on his fingers. HOLD FAST; So, in a storm, when he’s got his hands wrapped around a rope, he’ll never forget and let go!

That is the idea behind what God has planned in marriage – That we would HOLD FAST to the one we’ve committed our lives to… to the one we entered into covenant with – that’d when the storms of life rage upon this storm-tossed sea of our lives, we would not let go because we know to let go would be the death of us!

(Pause)…but somehow, they miss that! Jesus re-iterates three times: rd v 8;⁸ and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. ⁹ What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” You can’t be any clearer than that!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

The disciples want Jesus to do some clarification (remember, their hearts are hard ,too). Rd v 10; And Jesus answers them plainly:“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, ¹² and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” Keep this statement within the context of the whole story. Don’t isolate this statement and make it the focal point. I don’t think that is what Jesus is doing here. I don’t think Mark is writing this story to us and saying, now forget everything I’ve said and hang your hat on this statement alone. The context of Jesus’ statement is that a Pharisee can’t just be unhappy with his wife because he finds a pretty young lady and then gives her a writ of divorce and sends her away and marry this other lady. If he does, he is committing adultery and if she remarries, he’s causing her to commit adultery.

Ill.: Years ago a woman came to me about her husband. He was in a relationship with a married woman. So, I confronted him. He said, he was, and he wasn’t going to stop. I then got two other men to go with me to visit him again, as witnesses. We pleaded with him to stop. We talked to him about the consequences – about what happened to King David. He said: look, I’m leaving my wife, I’m getting a divorce, I’m going to marry this other woman. We’re both then going to ask for forgiveness.

That’s not what Grace is for!

Jesus says here and let me be very clear – divorce is granted in certain situations – those situations arise out of sinful behavior – hard hearts.

Let me also say, I’m not saying go ahead and get a divorce at whatever grievance you may have against your spouse and just ask for forgiveness later.

I think what Jesus is teaching here about remarriage in verses 10-12 must be used within the context of the whole passage and the context of Deuteronomy 24. Let’s go back to what Jesus said in the beginning – the Law there is showing us we’re sinful people. Sinful people need forgiveness. That isn’t an excuse to sin!

Remember Paul’s argument: Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more! Then should we sin more, so that Grace may abound? μὴ γένοιτο! May it never be!

So, let’s bring this to a conclusion… what do I want you to take with you when you leave this morning

Take-a-ways:

1. Divorce is Destructive and has lasting consequences. Let me show you something: Do you remember how I’ve shared with you about the Top and the Tail? What is in the next story (13-16)? Rd w/ emphasis on Child/ren. Go back to 9.36f; v42; Now, why would Mark put children in his story to bracket the passage on Divorce. I was a child of Divorce. My parents divorced before my 1^st birthday, so I never knew a home where my parents lived and loved together.
2. Your marriage is a picture of the Gospel to others: your children, grandchildren, friends, workers, and the world. Divorce is not a picture of the Gospel. God has given us evidence of his great love for us in so many different wonders of the world. Marriage is one of those. I believe this is one of the reasons the world has done all it can to redefine marriage and to do away with it all together. Eph 5; Husbands love your wives as…
3. We are all sinners in need of God’s grace. Sin separates us from God. However, Sexual sin is different in that it involves a broken covenant. It is very serious in God’s eyes. And, it should be serious to us. He created the marriage bond to be a spiritual bond. Bearing false witness hurts. Stealing something hurts others. But sexual sin destroys in a catastrophic way. There is a ripping away, a tearing away of these two fabrics that have become one fabric.
4. Don’t use his grace as a free pass to sin! Shall I sin all the more that grace may abound? God forbid! To quote from Dietrick Bonheoffer, “Don’t cheapen the grace of God.”

Mark 9.30-50

Title: The Picture of a True Disciple

Text: Mark 9.30-50

Introduction: Questions: What are we doing here? Stop! Maybe you’ve heard that question before, like in a Business Mtg or maybe in Bible Study. Well, it really boils down to a simple statement – something like, developing passionate followers of Christ for the Glory of God! We need something like that. I’m not suggesting that statement, but something like that – something that flows off the tongue easily and communicates a mission. Because really, what are we doing here?

Tarpley has a wonderful mission statement. It doesn’t flow and I changed it up just a little to make it easier for me to remember. The 3 G’s: Glory, Gospel, Grace.

Why am I mentioning this? Well, I think it’s time we turn our attention to getting ourselves organized. Clay, John, Robert – let’s meet and talk about this.

Now, look at the title of my message: The Picture of a True Disciple. It appears to me in this text, that Jesus was doing just that – developing passionate followers of Himself for His Father’s Glory.

Let’s take a moment and get some context, shall we? This passage is the 2^nd cycle of three we will see in this section of Mark. The parts to the cycle are simply these:

1. The Passion Prediction: Jesus will suffer and be mistreated by evil men; they will kill him, but 3 days later he will rise again.
2. A Zealous Response: Peter, John, James & John;
3. Teaching on True Discipleship – misunderstanding what following Jesus means, Jesus then teaches those with him what it means to be a true follower.

You might see it as:

1. You’re the Messiah.
2. You’re right and just so you know, this is what being the Messiah means.
3. You’re wrong, we don’t understand this new way of thinking, and by the way, we’re excited about what this means for us!
4. No, you’re wrong and if you want to follow me, then you won’t look like what you think I should be, but rather who I really am.

We see the 1^st cycle, which we covered in recent weeks

1. 8.31-9.1; the 2^nd in
2. 9.30-50; and the final cycle in
3. 10.32-45

Let me show you a couple of interesting similarities in this section which will add to our context: When you conclude this section in 10.45 – there is the story of Jesus healing a blind man, Blind Bartimaeus. I was curious to see if a miracle like this was a part of each cycle. Well, the answer is no; however, I did notice there was a healing of a blind man just before these cycles began, in 8.31, There is the story of Jesus healing a blind man in Bethsaida starting in 8.22.

My 1^st thought is to ask? Is this a coincidence or an accident? I don’t think so. So, I would bundle this all together in one section with the healing of a blind man serving as bookends.

There is another interesting similarity that adds strength to this idea. Luke brings this out in an undeniable way. He uses the phrase set his face toward Jerusalem. Mark’s reference here is a little more subtle, but very real just the same. Look at 8.27; on the way; we find it again in the 2^nd cycle in 9.33-34; on the way; we find it once again in the 3^rd cycle in 10.52, after he heals Bartimaeus; on the way; Chapter 11.1 they get to where they’re going – The Triumphal entry. They’ve been on their way to Jerusalem where Jesus will experience what he’s been trying to tell them.

That’s the big picture…

Transition: let’s zoom in now to this 2^nd cycle and cover all three steps in one fell swoop this morning in v 30-50…

What we see in this passage is what a true disciple of Jesus looks like…

A True Disciple is one who is…

exp.: rd v 30-32, Jesus is trying to keep their whereabouts unknown to the outside world so that he might be able to have a concentrated time of teaching. By the way – that is what discipleship is all about – this is what we do: teaching. Someone who commits his life to Christ is committed to learning everything he can about Christ and the life Christ wants him to live. Jesus teaches with his words and with his life. We’ll see that here… 1^st lesson for these men…A true disciple of Jesus is…

• He is self sacrificing – like Jesus. (30-32) He isn’t seeking his own way, but rather, is willing to lay down his life. Some of you may be wondering just how this differs from a disciple of Mohammed.

Ill.: This week I read in the News of a Palestinian attack that killed one young man and injured 2 others. It was a drive-by shooting that happened last May 2^nd. He was sentenced to life in prison for the death of this young Israeli student (Yehuda Guetta). Every week, it seems, Jews in Jerusalem and throughout Israel are targeted by Palestinians and other Arabs who live in Israel. These attacks are random and senseless.

App.: Well, those ‘disciples’ of Islam lay down their lives with the purpose of killing others. Jesus, however, calls us to lay down our lives so that others may live. That’s a big difference! The Sacrifice of Christ will save millions – maybe billions of lives. We’re called to do no less than be just like him. He’ll tell them this in v 35. 2^nd… a true disciple is one who …

• He isn’t seeking power or prestige. (33-35); in 33-35 Jesus asks them point blank what they’ve been discussing. Vs 34 uses a different word – argue; however, same word in Gk. Jesus has told them that he would suffer and be crucified. V 32 tells us that they just didn’t understand, but were afraid to ask. They then demonstrate that they don’t get it by arguing amongst themselves who is the greatest.

Illustration: in today’s society and in our culture – we’d be appalled at this. Oh, we’d still want to know, but we’d keep it on the down-low because we know people would frown at our behavior. It wasn’t necessarily so in their day. Paul demonstrates this for us in his final letter to the Corinthians. Boasting or bragging was a part of their culture and society. It gave them position and power. That’s why Paul apologizes for his boasting. Christian values are different than those of the world. It was then and it is now. Thankfully, Christianity has had an impact on our society for good. Most people wouldn’t know it, but that’s why we frown up boasting and bragging.

Jesus then illustrates this for them through a little child. We see that in v 35-37; taking him in his arms. Children weren’t thought very much of in those days. But here, Jesus takes the lowly and uses him to teach his disciples what he means when he says he must be last of all and servant of all.

t.s.: So, Jesus is teaching the disciples (and us) that a true follower of his is self-sacrificing and isn’t someone who seeks power or prestige. 3rdly,

• He isn’t jealous of others who serve in Jesus name. (38-40) rd 38-40; I don’t know why this one is so hard for us – maybe its just because we’re sinful creatures. I think of the two brothers, Cain and Abel. Why is it we don’t celebrate when one of our brothers or sisters is successful? Think on this for a moment: Do you ever find yourself wishing a particular person or group would fail? Have you ever sat watching someone be recognized for an achievement and you sat there in disbelief? Your group was far better, or did more or didn’t cheat! In our text, John seeks to impress Jesus with his zeal. But Jesus corrects John, just as he did Peter back in chapter 8. #4…
• He is concerned for the next generation of believers – to teach them correctly and not lead them astray. Rd v 42; v 41&v 42 go together; where 41 is aiding and helping believers, 42 is a word of warning against those who would hurt or harm them. The word sin here is σκανδαλίζω, and it is the word we get scandalize from. The idea is to cause someone to fall into sin. Some translation may say stumble – with the idea of causing someone to fall. To fall, to stumble is a euphemism for sin. The issue here is with the individual who would cause a believer to sin. And what Jesus says is that it would be better for that person if a great millstone were tied to his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Illustration: picture of millstone I took this picture going into the old city of Jerusalem – the one from the time of Jesus, which is walled off. It would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea!

Ill.: Now I’m a sinner. I’m grateful for God’s mercy and grace in my life. And I know we all need God’s forgiveness. I think I have great mercy for people because I’ve needed great mercy. But, Can I say, that I detest three types of individuals: Those who hurt senior adults; those who run from or disobey the police; and those who hurt little children. You see that millstone? … That’s pretty harsh… Jesus is communicating to us how God feels about this – about our responsibility to care for and protect our little ones. #5

• He is committed to Christ as a living sacrifice – committing all of himself. Rd 43-48; his commitment to Christ is seen…
  • In what he does (hand)
  • In where he goes (foot)
  • In what he sees (eye)

Conclusion: This week, another pastor has resigned his position amid allegations of immorality. When I say allegations, it turns out those accusations were proven to be true. I watched a video released by the Elders of their church with the announcement to their membership. 2) Two weeks ago, 8 staff members resigned from a megachurch in Chattanooga. That pastor hasn’t resigned because he doesn’t have a leadership in place to force his resignation – so his people are quitting around him. Same accusations – adultery, immorality.)

These pastors are poor examples of what a true believer looks like. Here is the question: Either these men are believers and they’ve failed, they have rebelled against God, Or they are non-believers and are acting according to their natural inclinations.

And this is why church discipline is so vital to a church’s witness.

1. If they are truly lost and not saved, then their souls lie in the balance. Their eternal destiny is at stake.
2. If they’ve strayed, or fallen, and they repent and return to the Lord, the witness to the Grace of God is amazing.

Don’t miss the message: it isn’t that these sins are unforgivable. The Mercy and Grace of God is great! Take advantage of this incredible offer: forgiveness. And, how do you know someone has experienced that repentance? They get radical about turning away from those idols/things/self and turning to Jesus. Jesus is saying that we need to get radical in our repentance.

And, that radical behavioral change shows a life that is a true believer. It demonstrates outwardly what self-sacrifice truly means:

• When we are not self-seeking – looking for power and prestige;
• When we are not jealous of our brothers and sisters in Christ, but rejoice in their good fortune and blessings;
• When we offer a cup of water to drink to those in need;
• When we care for the least of these – the little ones and protect them from those who would lead them into sin;
• When we are committed to Christ fully with our lives – with every fiber of our being, then we are salty and effective.
• Then, we are true followers of Christ.

Let’s pray…

Mark 9.14-19

Title: O’ Faithless Generation!

Text: Mark 9.14-29

Introduction:

Big Idea: The author’s aim is to place an emphasis on the need for faith in the coming days as Christ moves toward Jerusalem and the crucifixion.

We’re at the halfway point in Mark. To this point, we’ve been learning that Jesus is the Son of God. That’s the Gospel – God sent his son into this world – that’s the Christmas Story. Now, a transition has occurred. Jesus is no longer placing a focus on ministry, but rather, he’s turning this thing over to his disciples because he’s leaving. He’s headed to Jerusalem where he is going to die. Spoiler alert! It’s ok, that sounds bad, but it really is a good thing. But, without him walking with them day in and day out, they’ve got to learn to live differently. They’ve got to learn to live in faith.

Living with faith, living in faith is so very hard to do. It’s hard to explain in detail. Basically, here is what that means: God says something, and you live out your life according to His statement (be it a command or a promise or a declaration).

Ill.: The Principle of Tithing and giving.

I’ve said for years that I don’t live with regret. I’m not sure that’s an accurate statement. What I mean is, that while I wish I did not have sin and rebellion in my past, I’m glad for my sins and my failures because they remind me that I’m weak and in desperate need of a savior. Where I really failed is that I did not truly trust what God had told me. Oh, how I wish I could have lived in faith. Oh, how I wish I would have trusted God. Because this is what it all comes down to: you do what you believe. Faith is how you live. 

In today’s message, Jesus and 3 of his disciples have descended the mountain and find… – or should I say, what they don’t find, is Faith…

1. They don’t Faith.
2. Faithlessness is what they find.

Let that ring and echo in your head for a moment. Faith. What is it? How is it measured out, so that you can track it, see it, feel it, hear it, experience it? Boy, that’s a hard one. Let me stop right here and clarify my intention this morning:

I mentioned earlier that I don’t live with regret; however, guilt resulting from a lack of faith can eat me for lunch. Sure, no regrets, but I feel guilty for my lack of faith that led me down those paths. God says do this or do that or don’t do this or don’t do that. God says, “Trust me in this.”  And for some reason or another, I didn’t trust God like I should have.

So, moving to our story this morning: they’re coming down the mountain, after having witnessed Jesus be transfigured and they’re discussing eschatological issues related to what they’ve just seen. They understand that Jesus is the Messiah and they have expectations of what that means. And, they’re dreaming about what the future will look like, and boom: what do they not find at the bottom of the hill? They don’t find faith in the disciples. Rd v 14

Transition: This leads me to a question. Technically, a few questions, but it starts with this one.

I. How do people act or what do people do when they are faithless? (14-16)

exp.: We see the answer in v 14; Answer: they argue. The disciples are followers of Christ. They’ve been given the ability to cast out demons and have done so in the past. Mark 3.13-15 – ¹³ And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. ¹⁴ And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach ¹⁵ and have authority to cast out demons. That was intended from the beginning. In 6.7 Mark tells us: ⁷ And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. And in 6.13 we see that this is exactly what they did: ¹³ And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

ill.: But now, they find they’re unable to accomplish what they did before! You ever been there? What worked before isn’t working now? God? What are you doing? Where are you in this? Why can’t I just do what I did before?

Exp.: Can I add to this? There is a lot of pressure with an audience. Man, I’m a rock at 5 in the morning, on the couch, under a lamp; just me, my Bible, and a cup of coffee, and I’m visiting with the Lord. But, put me in front of an audience who is watching me pray – now I’m feeling a little pressure. What if God says no? I’m going to look foolish in front of the skeptics, in front of the unbelievers.

app.: Why arguing? I’m sure they were caught off guard when they couldn’t cast out the demon-like they had before. People are watching and all. I can just see them trying to step up and be the man. Peter, who is traditionally the leader isn’t there. Neither is James or John. So maybe Andrew is first. Flop! Let me try… Flop! Come on guys, step aside. This is how Judas and I did it… Flop! Arguing ensues…

exp.: But the Messiah and the other three disciples come walking up; rd 15; that’s what I’d do; I just read that verse and I’m so moved. Oh, dear Jesus, show up and interrupt my messes. I gladly bow out. Steal my show! My dog and pony routine only takes me so far! I see him and I’m amazed, too!

I wonder if this amazement has anything to do with the Transformation that just took place upon the mountain? I think of Moses and the Exodus story where Moses descended from the Mountain, having been in the presence of the Glory of God and the glory stayed with him. He needed a veil to hide his face from the people.

Exodus 34.29-35 describes in detail how that worked as Moses would remove the veil before the Father as he spoke with God – and then he would cover his face with the veil as he would return to the people.

Is this why they were amazed? I don’t know, but it fits with the Exodus parallel we saw a few weeks ago.

Jesus then asks them: rd v 16-18; So, they’re all arguing about this casting out of a demon. I wonder how these ‘discussions’ get started. I wonder if the religious leaders were there to investigate Jesus, to trip him up. Well, he wasn’t, but his disciples were and what an auspicious occasion for them as they witnessed their failure.

Funny thing about these religious leaders: we don’t see them anymore in this passage. They cause trouble and then disappear. That is so like troublemakers! I wonder if religious leaders today are like that – not worried about the people and their needs. They just want to maintain their power and position. So, they do their best to stir up trouble and dissension among those who are doing their best for God – even if it is failing, they’re doing their best.

So this father identifies the reason for the arguing going on: the disciples’ failure and then, Jesus speaks: rd v 19

t.s.: O’ faithless generation. Next Question: Who is he talking to?

II. Who is this ‘faithless generation? (19-25)

exp.: Did people look at the disciples? Did they, the crowd, think he was talking to them, too? Did they just lower their heads? How would you respond if that was said to you by Jesus: O’ faithless generation. I don’t want Jesus to feel that way about me. When the son returns, will he find faith here? Please, Lord, let me be found faithful. Let us be found faithful. So, who is Christ speaking to? Answer: I don’t know.

• The Disciples: some folks think he’s just talking to the disciples. They’ve been taught and trained and have done this before. Make some sense. They’ve failed here – was it their lack of faith that caused this failure. If you don’t understand how faith works, you just might be thinking that he’s talking to the disciples. If they just had the faith, they could have accomplished this.

Listen, Beloved, don’t buy into that lie! Faith doesn’t work like that. When someone tells you that all you need is a little more faith – that’s a cop-out. Faith isn’t dispensed like water or gas or soda. There is something super cool about knowing that God can do something and being totally at peace if he chooses not to do that.

Maybe he was talking about:

• The Father: rd 20-24; is there a more powerful, poignant dialogue between two people in this gospel? Boom – What do you mean: if you can?!?! Years ago, there was a lady in our church, (Copperas Cove), who had been attending a ‘health & wealth; name it, claim it church; she was sharing with me of how the pastor’s message was: when you “can God?”, you “can” God! Like canning vegetables or fruit. Doubting God’s ability makes it where he can’t do something. That’s another lie I’m begging you not to fall for. Yes, it preaches well and makes the preacher sound really witty. But it ain’t true! There is no power on earth that will ever limit the power of our God. Your lack of faith doesn’t weaken him one bit. God isn’t up there crying to himself because he has become inefficient and ineffective at the faith of the people here on earth! There is no faith meter registering the faith of the church at Tarpley or in the home of a member.

Ill.: using a meter, demonstrate weakness; Well, there just aren’t enough members putting their faith in me, so, I feel weak. If just a couple of more would believe!

That’s non-sense and it just isn’t Biblical. Look at what Jesus says: All things are possible for the one who believes. Lit.: All things are possible to the one who believes. The ESV, the NIV – I think their translation is weak. The NASB, The Holman – they do a better job of translating from the Gk: to the one, not – for the one. That is slightly different in form – tremendously different in meaning. When you use the word for, you think reason or cause. When you use the word to, you think direction. For would imply that nothing is impossible for him or her, placing the emphasis on faith or even you. But, when you use the word to, which is what the original language uses, that means that nothing is impossible toward you – that work lies outside of you. The idea isn’t that faith does the work, but rather placing faith in an object, which does the work.

Ill.: present the GOSPEL; Romans 3.23; 2 Cor 5.21; Isaiah 53.6 – So faith is not in what you can do just because you believe – but rather, faith is placing your trust in something else or someone else who can accomplish the task. Faith in a chair isn’t faith until you sit in it. Faith in a plane isn’t faith until you get on it and fly. Faith in Christ isn’t faith until you surrender all of who you are to Christ. And trust that what He did – the work of dying on the cross, being buried in a tomb, and rising three days later – trusting that what he did is what saves you.

Ill. #2: There is a story of three men who refused to bow down to a king. The King ordered that they be thrown into the fire – to be killed as punishment for their rebellion. They said they couldn’t bow down because God had ordered them not to. The King was furious! And in a rage ordered their death. The Bible reads in Daniel: ¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”  

He can, but that doesn’t mean he will! That’s faith – trusting Him to do what He has chosen to do to bring Him Glory and Honor.

Ill. #3: David, fasting, praying, laying on the floor, begging God to save his baby boy. The Baby dies. David gets up, cleans up, and goes into the Temple to worship. Then, he comes back and asks for some food. The servants are like, what, you were fasting and praying and begging God before. Now, the baby is gone and you’re eating? David said: I will go to him someday, but he will never return to me.

That is a picture of FAITH. Trusting, begging God to work, but knowing that He will do what is best for His Glory.

Transition: The 3^rd, group some folks believe Jesus is referring to is the…

• The Crowd: rd v 25; some say, their unbelief would hinder his ability to do this miracle – he’s got to get it done before this non-believing pagans interfere. No. That isn’t what this verse is saying. I simply understand this to say that more people were coming, running to see what was going on. Maybe the disappearing religious leaders have gone back into the town and were overheard talking. We don’t really know. What we do know is that it isn’t just the growing crowd. And, it isn’t just #4…
• The Religious Leaders: We know they don’t believe.

I think it is all of them. The only one not included in that statement is Jesus. He is different; He is set apart from them – above them.

Now some might argue with me and say look at Mark 6 and Matthew 13 where Jesus was in Nazareth, his hometown, but he couldn’t do any miracles there because of their lack of faith. Let’s clear this up. That isn’t what the Scripture says at all.

Mark 6.1-6a; that doesn’t say he couldn’t because of their unbelief. I don’t think it is even implied. Matthew clears it up a bit. But we will stay with Mark. Mark isn’t saying a lack of faith on the part of the people of Nazareth limited Christ in any way – only that he marveled at their unbelief. The only reason you and I think this is because we’ve heard it taught incorrectly. Matthew even words it differently than Mark and clarifies it for us that Jesus didn’t do any mighty works there because of their unbelief. Not that he couldn’t because the faith meter was too low limiting his power.

app.: Here’s the point: God is not limited in any way – whether you believe it or not!

So, let’s bring this to a conclusion: which is my 3^rd question –

III. What causes a lack of faith? (26-29)

exp.:

1. The Father: his experience verses his expectation; repeated attempts to find relief and nothing results; each attempt thwarted; no one has been able to help; repeated failure brings frustration; But God had other plans: Our heavenly Father wanted this father and his son to meet Jesus, His Son. Not understanding God’s Purpose.
2. The Disciples: their eyes; what they saw; failure and then, doubt creeps in; hopelessness builds; (describe the boy’s response); foaming at the mouth; that is why we walk by faith and not by sight. True faith.
3. The Religious Leaders: their knowledge – or should I say, what they thought they knew for sure or to be true. (3. Faulty Doctrine) Maybe your struggle with faith is that you don’t really understand the reality of faith. What you think to be true isn’t true at all. Can I say, this one is the hardest! When you live your life by something you were taught, and then you find it isn’t true… man, that’ll rock your world.
4. The Crowd: Secular; wrapped up in the world; mostly curious; onlookers – wanting to see a show, they want to be entertained or to simply see something spectacular;
5. Jesus – he gives us the answer in v 29; rd v 29: a lack of prayer; Prayer and Faith go hand in hand.

Ill.: do you remember me sharing the catchy cliché of the preacher who said, “when you can God? You Can God.” As a young preacher, I did that same thing – I came up with a catchy cliché to make my sermon better. I said, “Praise moves the heart of God. Prayer moves the hand of God.”

Man, I was so proud of that! But can I tell you that although that preaches well, and makes the speaker look impressive, bad, faulty theology is bad, faulty theology – no matter how much window dressing you put around it.

Al Mohler taught me this invaluable lesson on prayer and faith: prayer doesn’t change God – nor, get him to align with our will, but rather, prayer changes the individual – prayer changes me – and aligns our will to His. That is nowhere clearer than when one prays to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. The change that takes place is in the repentant sinner.

Conclusion: O’ faithless generation… I don’t want that to be said of me – I don’t want that to be said of us. I want to hear: O’ Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your salvation!

Application: So, what are we to make of this or, what are we to take from this?

1. Understanding faith is hard – especially with all of the strange teaching out there. So let me offer a few steps to make it a little easier:
   1. Follow: Let your faith in Christ lead you to a place where you trust that God is in control. No matter the circumstance. I don’t care who dies, who is elected president, what hurricanes or tornadoes do, if the sun rises tomorrow – God is still sovereign!
   1. Then, Surrender to His leadership. That may be the hardest part of exercising your faith. Too often my selfish desires get mixed into the equation. But I don’t want to let go of him, her, it, whatever! Don’t let that happen – surrender.
   1. Pray: Ask Him to do, accomplish, save – whatever it might be – Just ask, let your requests be made known to God. Pray Psalm 20:

  May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!

May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!

²    May he send you help from the sanctuary

and give you support from Zion!

³    May he remember all your offerings

and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah

⁴    May he grant you your heart’s desire

and fulfill all your plans!

⁵    May we shout for joy over your salvation,

and in the name of our God set up our banners!

       May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!

Note: This is a good practice – to align your heart with God’s heart: Weave Scripture into the mosaic of your prayers. And then Rest in the power he has to accomplish anything you can think or even imagine.

Mark 9.2-13

Title: Just a Glimpse!

Text: Mark 9.2-13

Introduction: Ever watch a movie trailer and say to yourself: Well, I don’t have to see that movie now – they just showed us the whole thing! Lisa and I have this thing when we see a movie trailer of some movie about to be released that we’ll take no interest in, one of us will say to the other

1. That looks like a real winner.
2. Thanks for letting me know, I won’t be going to see that movie!
3. I just saw more of that move than I think I’ll ever care to see of that movie!

Really, all you need to know about that movie and if you want to see that movie or not, takes just a glimpse.

Catching just a glimpse. That’s what those moviemakers want to give you in hopes that you’ll want to see the whole thing. What a difference just a glimpse can make! What hope it can give! What excitement it can generate!

Romans 8.29-30; ²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. I said in my message that Linda had held each of these links of this Golden Chain. Called, Justified, Glorified.

Today, in our text, Peter, James and John are going to catch just a glimpse of Jesus in his glorified state. I don’t know if it lasted as long as a movie trailer, but what a sight it must have been.

Transition: Today’s text is set in two separate scenes:

1. Scene 1: A Glorious Mountaintop Experience: Jesus is transformed before their very eyes.
2. Scene 2: A Deep Theological Discussion: The disciples have many questions as they descend the mountain.

Transition: Let’s begin with this first scene…

I. A Glorious Mountaintop Experience (2-8)

exp.: v2 begins with the classic “who, what, when, where” bit of information…

• We begin in v2 with a time reference, “and after six days”; Mark rarely makes time references like this – (the only other time is in 14.1);
• next we find that he is only taking with him three of the disciples; remember I told you Mark loves Triads? Jesus did this when he raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead in 5.37; He does this again now, and He’ll do it a 3^rd time in Mark when he prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. I call these three his garden buddies. I didn’t make that up. I heard another preacher refer to them as such. But you get the idea that Jesus is allowing these three to be a part of some very important parts of his ministry.

So, we have (1) a timeframe and (2) we have a list of who is in this story.

• Next, (3) we have a place – up on a high mountain. Mt. Tabor is the place considered to be the Mount of Transfiguration. I don’t have a good picture of Mt. Tabor, but it doesn’t matter, because I don’t think this is where it happened anyway. Truth is we don’t know. Anywhere north of Caesarea Philippi is the Mt. Hermon range. Jesus could have taken these disciples up that way. There is some doubt that it is Mt. Hermon way because…1^st, it is 6 days later; and 2^nd, when they descend, there are scribes there arguing with his other disciples. I doubt the Scribes would follow Jesus into Gentile territory. But, here’s the thing: Mark doesn’t think the name of the mountain is important, but rather what happened on that mountain is what is important.

And, I have to tell you that I’m glad Mark doesn’t tell us!

ill.: Do you remember King Hezekiah? The prophet Isaiah’s ministry spanned many decades and 4 kings. The last was Hezekiah. Hezekiah is the king who broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan; 2 Kings 18.4). I thought that was so wise on Hezekiah’s part! It’s funny how we as humans make idols out of religious relics! Traveling to Israel and seeing how people acted at the sites in Jerusalem is heartbreaking. Hezekiah was so moved by the people’s idolatry toward something incredible, he destroyed it.

Mark didn’t tell us where this place was because if he did, there would be a monastery there and they would be charging us to get in!

Look at what takes place: rd v 2;

1. He was transfigured; I love that Peter and John has left for us their writings on this event; James was the 1^st to die of the disciples – so he didn’t really get a chance to write a gospel for us; But Peter and John lived long enough to pass some things on; John records this event in his gospel and Peter writes a personal testimony of this in his 2^nd letter, 1^st chapter: ¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷ For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” ¹⁸ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. He speaks of Christ’s Majesty and of the voice they heard from the cloud. He says they were eyewitnesses! He is transformed, transfigured; rd v 3; his transformation is really indescribable; he is saying it is like nothing he has ever seen before; 2^nd, Jesus converses…
2. He conversed with Elijah and Moses; rd v 4; what are we to gather from this bit of information? Why these two? Let me be honest and say: I don’t know. However, I have some thoughts…
   1. Some have said they represent the Law and the Prophets (The OT writings), But Elijah didn’t write an OT book, like Isaiah or Ezekiel or Jeremiah; And why then isn’t there a third man to represent the writings or poetry? No, I don’t think it is that.
   1. Some people assume it is because these two didn’t die. For sure, Elijah didn’t die, he was taken up in a whirlwind; And Moses wandered off; Jewish tradition teaches that God just took Moses; There is only one problem with their tradition: Moses did die and God buried him (Due. 34.6); no one knows just where, and that is good; if we knew, we’d probably build a monastery there and charge people to get in to see his grave! No, the only other person who didn’t die was Enoch; so why not him instead of Moses?
   1. Here’s my assumption: I think it has something to do with end times because their names are associated with end times. I think it has something to do with eschatology. For example, in a moment, the disciples with Jesus will ask him about Elijah. They understand the eschatological ties with Elijah. Malachi 4.4-6, the last three verses of the OT read:

⁴ “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.

⁵ “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. ⁶ And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

So, both of these OT men are associated with end times!

• Added to this, I thought of Revelation and the two witnesses of Ch. 11; now, mind you, their names are not mentioned; however, the witnesses who serve the Lord in Rev. 11, have the same abilities, as do these two and these men are highly intimated in that passage.

One last question often asked about this scene: how do the disciples know who these men are? I think that is a silly question. Maybe they were wearing nametags! Mark doesn’t care to tell us. And neither do any of the other gospels. Peter could have said so in his letter. But he doesn’t – he only mentions Jesus. Which I think is the focal point here. Christ is greater than these! He is greater than the Law and greater than Moses. He is greater than any OT character or event.

Trans.: Now this has to be an incredible moment. Think for a moment and wonder: what would I do? How would I act? Well, if you know the story, you know what Peter did;

• Peter speaks foolishly; rd 5; I’m thinking that there is a time to speak and a time to remain silent (Ecc. 3.7). Peter doesn’t know which is which! I wonder if he thought to himself: build three tents? Where did that come from? What, will each disciple take on the task of building a tent? I wonder if the three (Jesus, Moses and Elijah) are talking. They’re interrupted by Peter: “Rabbi, (the 3 look at Peter and the other disciples) it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah. And then they look back at each other and begin conversing again – like Peter never said a word.  Rd v 6; He’s so caught up in the moment and terrified out of his mind, that he just blurts something out!

Trans: well, to be sure, he should have kept quiet, look at v 7; rd v 7;

• The Father speaks from within the cloud; there is some Exodus imagery and symbolism throughout this passage;
  • 6 days; Exodus 24, the glory of the Lord rested on Sinai for 6 days; and remember, this is only one of two times Mark gives us a time reference;
  • Moses was ‘transformed’; he needed to wear a veil to cover his face when in the presence of others;
  • As the disciples were terrified out of their minds, So were the people in Exodus; there was a tremendous fear – terrible fear from the people of the Lord.
  • Just like our experience here, A cloud enveloped the mountain in the Exodus story;
  • God spoke from the thick cloud at Sinai; just as he does in our story.

There are just too many similarities to ignore it. Now look at what he says: “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” Gk. Lit.: hear him; a command, so it is understood that you’ll hear and obey; hence, listen. Do what he says!

When you see this, you understand that the Exodus Motif or pattern was to reveal the Glory of the Lord. And that’s what you should take from this moment – Jesus in all of his glory! And just like that…

• It was over in an instant! Rd v 8;

They begin making their way down the mountain, back to their buddies and I’m sure many questions swirled around in their heads.

That’s where we pick up in this next section…

II. A Deep Theological Discussion (9-13)

exp.: rd v 9; I wonder what prompted Jesus to say something. I can just hear Peter: Man, no one is gonna believe this! Jesus then warns them of the Messianic Secret – which he has warned them about many times already. This time, however, there is a terminus to the warning. You can let the secret out after the Son of Man has risen from the dead. Now, I’m sure their minds are really going! Rd v 10; this isn’t the 1^st time they’ve heard this. Go back to 8.31 and we begin to get some context. Rd 8.31; you remember that Peter doesn’t like Jesus being so negative! He and all the disciples knew that Jesus would ride into town on a white stallion and conquer Jerusalem from the Romans and kick them out! What’s all this talk about rising from the dead? So, Peter rebukes Jesus. That doesn’t last long – Jesus rebukes Peter in front of the disciples. They need to hear this, too. Then, he teaches the crowds in v 34 and following. He concludes his teaching with this idea of end times and of his 2^nd coming: This story might actually begin in v. 1; and for that matter in 8.38; It’s possible, and I’m not saying this dogmatically, but it is possible that this passage finds its context in 9.1 and 8.38 at the conclusion of this previous time of teaching the crowds: 9 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” And if you go back further, another verse, you see Jesus talking about the 2^nd coming! I don’t think to this point we’ve heard anything about a 2^nd coming:

³⁸ For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

This majestic glory is something Peter mentions in his letter; maybe, these verses give us context to say that Jesus is allowing these three to see what is to come – the future glory – the resurrection glory. Follow it in order from 8.38

• 1^st, Jesus talks about his 2^nd coming, when he comes in glory.
• 2^nd, he says there are some here (in their midst) who will not taste death, but would see this glory.
• 3^rd, he takes them up on a mountain and is transformed, allowing them to see him in his glory as he converses with Moses and Elijah.

I’m not 100% sure of this, but it makes a lot of sense when you read it that way. This gives a lot of credence to the pre-millennial view.

Now, why is all of this important? Because it informs our eschatology – our understanding of end times. The amillennialist will quote vs 1 and say: see this, we’re living in the millennial era. Jesus died on a cross, was buried, and rose three days later. Those disciples right there are seeing the Kingdom of God ushered in! The Premillenialist will say no, no, no! Chapter 8.38 and 9.1 give our passage context.

And these things are indeed going through their minds. Maybe not Pre-millennial or A-millennial questions, but eschatological issues, nonetheless. So, they ask the one who knows!

exp.: rd v 11; a great question – and v 12a clarifies for us what the disciples are actually asking; rd 12a; so together, they’re asking if Elijah, whom they’ve just seen on the mountain with Jesus, comes to restore all things. If that is the case, then they might wonder why would it be necessary for the Son of Man to suffer and die? Especially, if all things have been restored. And Jesus asks that question for them; rd 12b; then he answers his own question: rd v 13; Jesus is tying the suffering of John, the Baptist together with that of the Messiah.

Prophecy is hard to understand. Sometimes a statement means one thing or refers to one person or one group. At other times, a prophecy might refer to more than one person or group.

A great example is using Elijah. Sometimes it is clear that Elijah is John, the Baptist. At other times, it appears that the prophecies of Elijah are fulfilled in Jesus. I suppose there might even be times when it is unclear which person the prophecy is about: John or Jesus.   

app.: So, what are we to make of this? What do we do when things get to tough to understand?

1^st we must ask ourselves what is clear – what are we sure of?

• Well, we’re sure that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
• We’re sure that Jesus is glorified here. He is glorified in that He has supremacy over Moses and Elijah. The book of Hebrews validates our understanding of this. The Father validates that for us in his declaration: “This is my beloved son; listen to him.”
• We’re sure that Jesus died on a cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb and rose again three days later. And more than that, that he ascended to the right hand of the father where he rules and reigns in glory. These three disciples got to see that state of glory. We will, too, one day!
• And, We’re sure that these lowly bodies are not the glorified bodies we’ll one day have. For we shall be like him – for we shall see him as he is. We shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall all be changed.
• We can be sure that victory lies ahead for us. At the 2^nd coming, all things will be restored – Eden will be restored. That doesn’t mean there won’t be suffering, as we see Christ tie the suffering of John and himself together here in this passage. We can be sure that victory lies ahead for us.