Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection

 

Mark 9:30-37

 

Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection

^“ They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”   But they did not understand the saying and were afraid to ask him.

Are you guilty of not asking when a statement is made, and you have little or no understanding of what is being said?  Could the reason be something as simple as we do not want the speaker or those around us to know we have little or no understanding of what is being said?  It is not the first time Jesus has brought this subject up, you recall Peter's encounter with Jesus the last time, and Jesus replies in Mark 8:33.  In Luke's gospel chapter 9:45 may shed some light on the subject, for Luke tells us the understanding was concealed from them at that time.

Who Is the Greatest?

And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”   But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.  And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”   And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them,  “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

You nor I would ever voice such things not even to friends, but we did as children, and we enjoyed hearing someone we respect tell others we are at the top of their list.  I had a Vice President of my Electrical Markets Division, who when he saw me in the 3M Center in Austin would often say I was his favorite salesperson.  Often, others who I worked with would hear Henry and in private they would give me a hard time, saying you are special or accusing me of sucking up to the boss.  I would be telling you a lie if I did not say I enjoyed hearing I was special to him.

That is of no value compared to what God the Father has done for me and is saying to you and me.  The apostle Peter makes it clear to all that put their faith in Christ, this insight in first Peter 1:3-5, and  2 Peter 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter1:3-5)

 

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”  (2 Peter 1:3-4)  How can the empty praises of man come close to what God the Father and Son have done and are doing for you using the power of the Holy Spirit in your life?

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice