Mark 9 -- Being A Disciple

Jesus had taught His disciples that suffering is transformed into glory by God.  "The Lord gave a dazzling proof that God does indeed transform suffering into glory ... He revealed His glory" ... to Peter, James, and John on the mountaintop when He spoke to Moses and Elijah and God said, "This is My Son, whom I love.  Listen to Him."  But He also told them not to share what they'd witnessed until He had died and been resurrected.

"Keep in mind that He has shared His glory with us and promised us a glorious home forever" my commentary added.

They didn't remain on the mountaintop afterwards, but returned to minister.  "Discipleship means denying self, taking up a cross, and following Him, and you can't do that and selfishly stay on the mountain of glory.  There are needs to be met in the valley below ... Discipleship is not built on spectacular visions but on the inspired unchanging Word of God."

"In one day, a disciple can move from the glory of heaven to the attacks of hell.  When our Lord and His three friends returned to the other nine disciples, they found them involved in a dual problem:  they were unable to deliver the boy from demonic control, and the scribes were debating with them and perhaps even taunting them because of their failure ... Jesus stepped in to solve the problem ... The main lesson of this miracle is the power of faith to overcome the enemy ... Why had the nine disciples failed?  Because they had been careless in their personal spiritual walk and had neglected prayer and fasting ... faith must be cultivated through spiritual discipline and devotion."

The disciples almost let that important lesson slip by as they began bragging about which one of them was the greatest.  Jesus set a child before them to teach them (and us) a lesson on honor, saying that "the way to be first is to be last, and the way to be last is to be the servant of all...  True humility means knowing yourself, accepting yourself, being yourself -- your best self -- and giving up yourself for others."

Father, help me to see Your glory in Your Son and not forget His words.  Help me to know and accept myself as I am, to be my very best self, and to give myself to others everyday so that they may see You through me.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford