Mark 9

The transfiguration. A lot goes into this and even more to take from it.

Before Peter, James and John, Jesus is transfigured into gleaming white and radiance and is joined by Moses and Elijah. I wrote to a pastor friend for help with the significance of this. His words:

"The Jews often called the Scriptures the "Law and the Prophets." Jesus Himself used the phrase in that way (Matt 22:40). Moses was considered the human author of the Law as he was the writer of the first five books of the Bible. Elijah was the most notable historical prophet, though he did not write a prophetic book like Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc. To have the two of them together would have been a testimony to the Jews that the Scriptures were pointing to and being fulfilled in Jesus. That's the message behind their appearance to Christ in the transfiguration: they foretold of His coming and His life and works were totally fulfilling their prophecies -- which countered the accusations from the Scribes and Pharisees that Jesus was somehow living outside the Law (by eating with sinners!) and had no connection to the prophecies that foretold the Messiah."

Another very confusing, for me, part of the chapter is verse 11: "Elijah must come first." (It turns out that I really had no idea about who or the significance of Elijah until now.)

My same pastor friend, "... goes back to the prophet Malachi (ch's 3 & 4) who promised that an un-named messenger would precede the Messiah's coming (3:1), and that Elijah specifically would come before the big day of judgment (4:5). Jesus said that John fulfilled Malachi's prophecy about the coming messenger (Luke 7:27) and many believe that Revelation 11 speaks of Elijah and records the fulfillment of Malachi's prophecy about the great prophet's actual return in the very last days. I would agree with that expectation. John came in the "spirit and power of Elijah" in that he was a great prophet, really, the "Last of the Great Old Testament Prophets" and in God's eyes his importance was ranked up there with the most notable."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfiguration_(Raphael) A picture we are all very familiar with. The painting also shows the next part of the chapter, starting with verse 14 where a demon-possessed boy is delivered. The disciples could not rid the boy of the spirit, Jesus needed to do it. We are reminded here that we need to go to Christ and God's power for help in life.

The father of the boy says to Jesus, "But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us". v. 22

Jesus' reply, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes." v. 23.

I need to heed the father's response, "I do believe, help my unbelief." v.24

My doubting, goes without saying. Regularly I need to admit to Jesus that I am doubting but want so much to believe and trust Him. I am a worrier to the 10th degree and that essentially is unbelief that Jesus is in control and hears my prayers. I can't even go into my worries, they are numerous - they keep me awake at night. From having kids in college and one looking to start her career, to if the motorhome will fit into the campsite in Yosemite, to what day shall I pay a particular bill, etc. Ridiculous.

"Father, I do believe. Help my unbelief."

My last comment on this chapter. v. 40 (This chapter has taken me all week.) "For he who is not against us is for us."

But by the same token, "He who is not with Me is against Me;and he who does not gather with Me, scatters." Mt 12:30.



Father, I do believe; help my unbelief.