The Authority of Christ…

Jesus demonstrates His authority after His Mt of Transfiguration experience…

When Jesus ascended into heaven He said “All power has been given to Me in Heaven and Earth, so that you guys can go out in My name and do the job I’ve called you to do!” (See Mat 28:18-20)

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic…

Mark 9:1-50

In Matthew 8-9, the King (Jesus) demonstrates His authority —

“The capacity to give ones attention to a sufferer is a very rare and difficult thing; it is almost a miracle; it is a miracle.

Nearly all those who think they have this capacity do not possess it.

Warmth of heart, impulsiveness, pity are not enough.”
— Simone Weil

In these two chapters (8-9) we see Jesus demonstrate His authority.

Matthew balances this major theme with the theme of compassion.

The three miracles in chapter 8 show Jesus’ willingness to become unclean in order to make others clean.

His works of healing and forgiveness were signs that God’s kingdom was dawning.

The Transfiguration
Transfiguration, Faith, and Servanthood: Lessons from Mark 9
Mark 9 portrays a paradox of faith – the divine glory of Jesus in the Transfiguration and the humble servanthood in His teachings. This chapter calls us to have faith in the divine power of Jesus and to demonstrate this faith through a humble and servant-hearted lifestyle.

Verses 1-13: The Transfiguration

Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John on a high mountain, appearing with Elijah and Moses in radiant glory. A voice from heaven identifies Jesus as God’s beloved Son.

Verses 14-29: The Boy with an Unclean Spirit

Jesus heals a boy with an unclean spirit, whose father expressed both faith and unbelief. The disciples’ inability to perform this healing highlights their lack of faith.

Verses 30-32: Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection

In Capernaum, Jesus again predicts His death and resurrection, but the disciples do not understand and are afraid to ask Him about it.

Verses 33-37: Who is the Greatest?

Jesus teaches about the nature of true greatness by welcoming a child in His arms. He explains that to be first, one must be the very last and the servant of all.

Verses 38-50: Temptations to Sin

Jesus warns about causing others to sin and emphasizes the serious consequences of sin. He encourages the disciples to be at peace with each other.

In Mark 9, we encounter Jesus in His divine glory during the Transfiguration, experience the struggle between faith and unbelief in the story of a possessed boy, and learn about the nature of true greatness in Jesus’ teaching about servanthood.

This chapter balances the revelation of Jesus’ divine identity with His teaching on humility, presenting a profound understanding of Christ’s mission.
____


FOR YOUR JOURNEY
by Max Lucado

9:1–38 Although he was neither rude nor arrogant, Jesus aggravated the teachers of the law when he exercised his privileges as Son of God.

When he forgave sins, mingled with sinners, raised the dead, and healed the sick, the teachers thought his actions were either inappropriate or unexplainable.

The kingdom of God had come. Jesus used his power over sickness and death to show his compassion for needy humanity.

As a true friend, he meets the needs we bring him.

He asks us to join his mission and reach out to those around us.

Tell me, why are these stories in the Bible?

Why are the Gospels full of such people? Such hopeless people?

Though their situations vary, their conditions don’t.

They are trapped. Estranged. Rejected. They have nowhere to turn.

On their lips, a desperate prayer. In their hearts, desolate dreams.

And in their hands, a broken rope.

But before their eyes a never-say-die Galilean who majors in stepping in when everyone else steps out.

Surprisingly simple, the actions of this Man.

Just words of mercy or touches of kindness.

Fingers on sightless eyes. A hand on a weary shoulder. Words for sad hearts all fulfilling the prophecy:

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out” (Isa 42:3).

Again I ask. Why are these portraits in the Bible?

Why did God leave us one tale after another of wounded lives being restored?

So we could be grateful for the past?

So we could look back with amazement at what Jesus did?

No. No. No. A thousand times no.

The purpose of these stories is not to tell us what Jesus did.

Their purpose is to tell us what Jesus does.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,” Paul penned, “so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Ro 15:4).

These are not just Sunday school stories.

Not romantic fables. Not somewhere-over-the-rainbow illusions.

They are historic moments in which a real God met real pain so we could answer the question,

“Where is God when I hurt?”

How does God react to dashed hopes?

Read the story of Jairus.

How does the Father feel about those who are ill?

Stand with him at the pool of Bethesda.

Do you long for God to speak to your lonely heart?

Then listen as he speaks to the Emmaus-bound disciples.

What is God’s word for the shameful?

Watch as his finger draws in the dirt of the Jerusalem courtyard.

He’s not doing it just for them. He’s doing it for me.

He’s doing it for you.

I know there used to be a stone in front of a tomb. And I do know it was moved.

And I also know that there are stones in your path. Stones that trip and stones that trap. Stones too big for you.

Please remember, the goal of these stories is not to help us look back with amazement, but forward with faith.

The God who spoke still speaks. The God who forgave still forgives. The God who came still comes.

He comes into our world. He comes into your world. He comes to do what you can’t.

He comes to move the stones you can’t budge.

Stones are no match for God. Not then and not now. He still moves stones.

Application
Do you see Jesus as a close friend or far away?

Jesus desires to relate to us as a friend.

Talk with him. Tell him all of your needs.

SELAH (let us pause and calmly think about these things)
_____

Tuesday,  June 4
Heartlight Devotions

by Phil Ware

“What Jesus Did!”
— Mark 9:7

[During the Transfiguration,] a cloud overshadowed [Jesus, Moses, Elijah, and the three apostles], and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.”
— Mark 9:7 NLT

Key Thought
God makes himself very clear to the amazed followers of Jesus.

As important as Elijah and Moses had been to the Jewish people, among them stood one who is far superior — Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and their Lord.

They should listen to Jesus. Jesus is the supreme teacher, prophet, and hope for the world.

Jesus is God’s Messiah for His people and His ultimate message to humankind.

They and we must listen to Him!

Today’s Prayer
Father, thank you for speaking to us fully and definitively through your Son — both while He was on earth and as He continues to provide guidance and strength for us now.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.
____

Come join the Adventure!

Skip 🕊️