Bible Verse Synopsis 7-8-25
Mark 9:
Jesus again separated Peter, James, and John for the other disciples. He takes them and only these 3 to the top of a mountain and He was transfigured before them. “And His rainment became shining, exceedingly white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.” - Verse 3. This radiance as not of man, but of God. It shone brightly from the inside of Christ outwardly. Have you seen the Glory of His radiance? If you have not, do you still believe?
Elijah and Moses appeared to them all and they talked with Jesus. Peter sticks his nose out knowing not what to do in verse 5: “Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three Tabernacles; one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter having confessed that Christ is the Messiah, again places Him below His standing. Where do we place Christ? Is He not the Son of God? In Verse 7 God speaks from a cloud unto all in attendance and said, “This is My Beloved Son: hear Him.” God tells Peter, and James and John as well, that Jesus is the one they are meant to follow. Not the other prophets. God separates Jesus from His other prophets. Do you also do this?
Suddenly only Jesus remained. When they came down Jesus tells them not to tell anyone of this until after the Son of Man were risen from the dead. They did not understand what the rising of the dead would mean. Do we misunderstand what Christ tells us to do? Do we search for the deeper meaning with time spent with the Word?
Jesus and the three Disciples came down to a multitude of people, the other nine Disciples, and the Scribes. The people rushed to greet Him, warmly and with admiration. Jesus turned His attention to the Scribes and asked them what the issue was. Before they could answer a man asks Jesus to heal his son who was possessed by a demon. The Disciples tried and failed to solve this issue. Jesus answers the man in Verse 19: “He answered him, and said, Oh faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? Bring Him unto Me.” Jesus is asking questions that attack our natural heart. Every generation is faithless, until Christ saves all. Are you exception to that rule? He doubts that the time He has with the world was enough to leave His mark. And finally, how can the world understand, when the Twelve struggle so much to do just that. Jesus’s time with us was much too short. But while He was here, He left a mark that can never be undone. He conquered death and forgave the sins of the world. The Twelve followed Him and led the beginning of modern day Christianity. Which generation will be the faithful generation?
The man brings his son to Jesus and tells Him of the woes the boy has suffered through, even as the boy convulses in front of the Lord. Verse 23 says: “Jesus said unto Him, If you can believe; all things are possible to him who believes.” This is not only for this man but also for us. If we can believe, all things are possible. How great a blessing we have received because of our faith! The man cried out from His soul with tears for Jesus to help his boy. He ends his cry with a statement we all can make. “Help Thou my unbelief.” - Verse 24. Our belief is hardly ever perfect; so is the fault of man. With the help of Christ our faith and our belief can be perfect. Are you ready to make that leap of faith?
Jesus cast out the demon and the bot lay there still as though dead. The crowd was closing in on this group and many said, he is dead. Jesus took the boy by the hand and lifted him up and he arose. Jesus’s healing power is on full display here. He can cure any ailment with His touch. Has He reached out and touched your life?
Later, in a house, the Disciples asked why they failed to cast out the demon. Considering that Jesus had given them that gift, I’m sure they were frustrated. Jesus answers in Verse 29: “And He said unto them; This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” Christ’s power was not with them as they were relying on themselves to do the act of the casting out. With our faith exclusively on the Cross, we should fast of our reliance on ourselves and rely solely on God. Prayer will help us achieve this. Are you prepared to pray for your own sake and for the sake of others?
Jesus again foretells His demise on a journey through Galilee. Again the Disciples fail. Verse 32 says: “But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask Him.” After Peter’s rebuke the first time Jesus foretells His fate, they were fearful to ask Him again. Are we hesitant to ask the Lord for over and over again for clarity in His instruction?
On their journey through Galilee, the Disciples were asking of themselves who would be the greatest amongst them. Jesus gives direction in His return to their question. He tells us to put others first and serve them. If we put ourselves first, we are destined to end up last. Are you ready to end up last in line because of your selfish desire?
In Verse 36, Jesus uses a child as a representation of purity. Verse 37 says: “Whosever shall receive one of such children in My name, receives Me: and whosever shall receive Me, received not Me, but Him who sent Me.” We are to be like the child. Pure and seemingly without sin. If we take the attitude of the Child to find Jesus, it will lead us to the Father. How prepared are you to follow the Son of Man like a child?
The ending group of verses shows Jesus’s conjecture to the soul of man. Cut off your hand, foot, and eye that betray you. Spiritual speaking we all need to do this. Remove our sinful heart and desires and replace them with the Lord. It is better for our soul to be damaged than to hold onto the broken parts of us. Jesus gives this same parable three legs. With this should be able to comprehend the importance of maintaining a faithful soul. Verse 49 & 50 tell us: “For every one shall be salted with fire; and ever sacrifice shall be salted with salt.” “Salt is good: but if the salt have lose his saltness, wherewith will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace in one another.” We will be tested by fire and our “salt” will be the means by which we survive. The salt in this case is the Word. If the Word of God is strong in us we will overcome the failures of our nature. Put the Word into yourself and into those around you. Give the blessings He gives you to the world and He will protect you. Are you ready to share the Good news with the world?