[:en]SCRIPTURE: MARK 9
Bible Verses:
““‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23)
“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)
““Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:37)
“ Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward. (Mark 9:41)
“ “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” (Mark 9:50)
THE TRANSFIGURATION (vs. 1-13)
Jesus took Peter, James and John to a high mountain. There was a transfiguration of Jesus in white clothes with Elijah and Moses talking with Jesus. Then,m a voice from heaven came: “This is my Son, whom I love, Listen to him” (v. 7)
THE HEALING OF A BOY WITH AN EVIL SPIRIT (vs. 14-32)
While Peter, James and John were in the mountain with Jesus, the nine disciples were in the valley below unable to drive out a deaf and dumb demonized son. When Jesus came down, the father of the son begged Jesus to heal him. Jesus told him: “If you can, everything is possible for him who believes” (v. 23). The father exclaimed: “I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief” (v. 24). Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and the evil spirit came out from the boy. the boy stood up and was healed. The disciples asked Jesus why they were unable to drive it out. Jesus replied: “This kind can come out only by prayer” (v. 29) Jesus again spoke openly to the twelve about his impending death and resurrection.
WHO IS THE GREATEST (vs. 33-37)
The twelve were arguing over who was the greatest. But Jesus told them: “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last and the servant of all” (v. 35). He also said: Whoever welcomes one of the little children in my name welcomes me” (v. 37). The disciples wanted rank but Jesus taught them that true greatness is found in character and service.
WHOEVER IS NOT AGAINST US IS FOR US (vs. 38-41)
The disciples saw a man driving out demons in Jesus name. They wanted to stop him because there were not one of them. But Jesus told them: “Whoever is not against us is for us” (v. 40). Anyone who does good thing in JEsus name will be rewarded.
CAUSING TO SIN (vs. 42-50)
Jesus taught us to deal with sins in our lives drastically. Otherwise,, we will be cast into hell. We are to be salt by maintaining true Christian character and integrity so that we have good testimony to win lost souls to Christ.
LESSONS:
- The transfiguration affirms Christ as the Son of God and confirms Hope of His promise to return in glory.
- The disciples failed to drive out the evil spirits because they lacked prayer. It is very important for us to stay spiritually fresh in order to be ready to help anyone in need.
- The disciples were thinking that Christian fellowship functioned as the same way as in a society in which position and power were important. But Jesus taught them to be “childlike” and “servant” in character and service.
- The disciples wanted to stop those performing miracles in Jesus’ name with success. Jesus was teaching them not to criticize others for their success but to also love those outside our fellowship.
- Christians should serve as witness for Christ. We must not cause others to stumble. That is why we have to deal with out sins seriously for our own sake and for the sake of others. We must be the salt of the earth by maintaining true Christian character and integrity.
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