Tuesday: The Mountain and the Multitude
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 13th of August 2024
Read Mark 9:1-13. What did Peter, James, and John see one night with Jesus?
In Mark 9:1, Jesus predicts that some standing with Him would not taste death before seeing the kingdom of God come in power. That prediction is fulfilled within a few days when He takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain alone. There He is transfigured before them into the glory of the heavenly kingdom.
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Elijah and Moses appear from the heavenly realm and converse with Jesus. Luke notes that they were talking about Jesus’ departure (Greek exodos) that He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem (Luke 9:30-31). Thus, this scene of glory is tied to Jesus’ coming death on the cross (compare with Mark 9:9). It would give hope when the disciples see Him crucified.
Upon descending the mountain the following morning, the three disciples ask Jesus about Elijah coming first. Likely this idea is tied to the expectation that Elijah would reappear before the Messiah (compare with Malachi 4:5-6). Jesus replies that Elijah has already come, a reference to John the Baptist. Just as they killed John, so Jesus will die at their hands, but He will rise after three days.
After the night of glory, the scene at the bottom of the mountain was sad chaos (see Mark 9:14-29). The nine disciples had encountered a demon-possessed boy whom they could not heal. When Jesus arrives at the scene, everyone runs to see Him. The story unfolds of the demon’s power over the child. Jesus seems to take a long time inquiring about the details of the demon possession. It proves too much for the father, who blurts out, “ ‘If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us’ ” (Mark 9:22, NKJV).
Jesus immediately picks up on the expression of doubt. The Lord’s response can be paraphrased, “What do you mean, ‘If You can’?” (Mark 9:23). Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning from the sky, the father sees that it is not only his son who has a problem—he has a problem of unbelief. And his unbelief could result in his son not being healed. The desperate father casts himself on Jesus’ mercy with the memorable line, “ ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ ” (Mark 9:24, NKJV). Jesus heals the boy.
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In what situations, if any, have you had to cry out, “ ‘I believe; help my unbelief’ ”? What did you learn from those experiences? |
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I live in Australia where mountains are limited to a small crinkle on the eastern seaboard. I could show you a photograph of flat red sandy soil, spikey spinifex grass, and scattered mulga scrub, with a cloudless blue sky, and it could have been taken anywhere in 80% of Australia. And our mountains are so flat we used to be able to drive an ordinary car to the top of Mount Kosciuszko, our tallest mountain. Someone decided that was too easy so they closed the road and made us walk about 8km to reach the summit. I have walked to the top and have admired the view.
But for each mountain, there is a valley where the sun seldom shines. And often, the higher the mountains, the darker the valleys.
Peter, James and John had a mountaintop experience. It was a supernatural event that took their breath away. You have to love Peter's reaction. Carmel understands his reaction much more than me because she says she would react exactly like him. Peter wanted to celebrate the moment.
Then they came down off the mountain and they faced the Pharisees and scribes, and a miracle that was not working in front of crowds of people. They had hit a valley. I think the father of the demon-possessed boy spoke for all the disciples when he said, "I believe; help my unbelief!"
I have lived through several spiritual mountain experiences; a week of prayer speaker that made an impact; a youth revival; a big camp meeting with a special speaker; a performance of the Messiah; and so on. Great spiritual mountain-top experiences. But, then there the valleys, the dark rainy days, the flat featureless deserts. Our spiritual mountain-top experience seems so far away.
Are we too proud to pray, “‘I believe; help my unbelief!’”
I really like the author's explaination of: “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” Mark 9:1.
There is truth in the song: Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. I do believe, not just sweeter, but also peace like a river is given us when we are with Him day by day. Amen!
It is interesting to note that only Luke's Gospel mentions that the disciples that were with Jesus were asleep. Luke 9:32 "But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him."
This wouldn't be the last time they would sleep while Jesus wanted them to be awake. They probably would have slept through the event had not the brightness of it awakened them. Who knows how much of it they slept through? If you have ever camped out under the stars you know how dark the night can be. The slightest light source becomes bright, but this would be so much brighter than a struck match, a lantern, or a flashlight. Think sunrise over the mountain at midnight! That kind of brightness could definitely overwhelm the senses and make one think and say strange things.
Jesus valued communion with God more than the need for sleep. How many times have I knelt at the foot of the bed trying to pray only to be overcome by sleep? I won't answer that.
I have been told of a couple times that I had, as a boy, experienced somnambulism, (sleep walking).
One time was while on a Boy Scout campout. The leaders were sitting around the campfire when I came walking out of the tent. Surprised, they asked me where I was going, possibly thinking that I was going to the latrine. When I responded that I was going to go play in the field, they said "no you're not, go back to bed!". I still marvel that the light of the campfire didn't wake me up. What if no one would have been awake when I tried to take my midnight stroll?
Hopefully we aren't asleep or sleep walking in our Christian experience. We don't want to miss out on being ready to witness the Glory of spending time with our Lord.
Lord help us to value time spent in communion with you over anything, fun, food, even sleep. Amen!
The man could be helped by Jesus by first, acknowledging that he has a doubt that he should be first from. The sickness of doubtful mind surpasses suparses the physical health that we have in us. We get so overwlmed with pain and panic for the immediate help that is in exposure through doubt
No matter how many times we pray if we doubt Jesus and have some mixed beliefs in our calls for Jesus intervention we might delay the answers to our prayer whilst we have the belief that Jesus answers prayer. Sometimes desperate praying may not be as desperate to God if we go before him with doubt. This might prolong His response. To ensure that we work on our doubts and believe that He is able.
I still curious , how the disciples knew they were Moses and Elijah who came .
It's important to believe. That when we believe, miracles do that, because we believe. Because, we have the faith for the impossible to become possible.