Reading 12—The Ups and Downs of Following Jesus
Read Mark 9:1-49
This chapter offers a witness that even when God makes everything clear to us about his work in saving us (as is revealed to the disciples in these verses), there will still be a lot of misunderstandings and weak faith among his followers. The account starts with Jesus proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is near (v.1). Then follows an account of the transfiguration, when Jesus in all his glory and divinity is revealed, but it terrifies the faithful who were present (vv.2-8). Jesus adds a reference to his resurrection and suffering, and again his disciples do not understand (vv.9-13). He immediately heals an epileptic child, whose father confesses his own weak faith at the time. Jesus’ disciples wonder why they could not do such a miracle (vv.14-29). He then foretells his Passion again, and the disciples still do not understand (vv.30-32).
Jesus next learns of a squabble among the disciples over who is greatest in God’s kingdom. He declares that greatness comes by serving, by welcoming the child in his name (vv.33-37). Clearly the faithful (and oftentimes we, his modern disciples) are not understanding much of what Jesus says, even as he reveals himself. This becomes apparent in a discussion about an unknown exorcist. The disciples tried to stop him, since he is not a follower of Jesus . Jesus responds that anyone who is not against him is with him (vv.38-41). Seeming to sense his followers’ misunderstanding, he offers warnings about the punishments of hell for those who get in the way of the faith of others (vv.42-48). Jesus closes with a reinterpretation of the suffering and lostness they may feel, comparing it to salting which will preserve them , and will give them peace (vv.49-50). Even when we know Jesus, Christian life is confusing and heightens our doubts, but we may nevertheless be assured that it is all part of God’s great plan for us, purging our doubts and accepting us anyway.
Why are we often still so confused about the ways of God and his plans for us?
Since Jesus has died and has risen, what are we now to make of Jesus’ comments about the coming of God’s kingdom? Does God still accept us despite our weak faith? (See Jesus’ reaction to the father of the epileptic child.)
Almighty God, who by the death of thy Son has brought to naught sin and death and by his resurrection has brought again innocence and everlasting life so that, delivered form the devil’s power, we may live in thy kingdom. Grant us that we may believe this with all our heart and be steadfast in this faith, to praise and thank thee always. Amen. (Luther’s Works, Vol.53, p.134)
Mark Ellingsen serves as a Professor on the faculty of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, the largest accredited historic African-American seminary in the U.S. He is the author of 21 books (a new one, a book of sermons for Lent and Easter, will be published soon by CSS Publishers), and you can check out the rest of his books just by googling him.
