The Gospel of Mark: Elijah

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean. Then they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said to them, “Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.” ~ Mark 9:9-13


Again, Jesus references his rising from the dead. Last time he did, Peter ignored the reference and focused simply on Jesus' dying.

At this point, they are clearly confused and are looking for some clarification. They aren't just confused about what rising from the dead means, but they are also confused about the fact that Elijah came already, that John the Baptist was the coming of Elijah.

They still don't really "see" things as they are.

I keep coming back to how like us the disciples are and I hope that gives you hope. Even with Jesus right in front of them, they had a hard time seeing the big picture or understanding what was happening.

So too we aren't always seeing things clearly or understanding.

But Jesus never gave up on them despite their falterings. Not once.

In the end, faith won out, even when it seemed that it wouldn't.

In the end, that faith would lead them to in turn be leaders.

So, if you aren't understanding everything, that's OK.

Jesus isn't giving up on you either.


Holy God, thank you for the gospel - the good news - of your Son. Open my mind and heart to this good news and enliven me with your Spirit of servanthood that I might share this good news with a world in need. Amen


Engagement Question:


What is something about Jesus you trust in faith, even if you don't understand it?

Popular posts from this blog

But we had hoped

Now on that same day two (disciples) were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles  from Jerusalem,  and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.  While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them,  but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.  And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad.   Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?”  He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth,  who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,  and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him.  But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.  Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.  Mo
Read more

The Gospel of Mark: The Burial of Jesus

When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,  Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time.  When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph.  Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid. ~ Mark 15:42-47 Here's someone unexpected! A member of the council - the ones who sentenced Jesus to death - asking to bury Jesus. Jesus' friends have all scattered. Remember when John the Baptist died, and his disciples to
Read more

The Gospel of Mark: Friday Follow-Up

- Re-read Mark 15:6-15:39 from this week's devotions. - Read the passage again and identify a word or phrases that jump out at you. - Read the passage again, and if possible read from a different translation ( biblegateway.com  has many translations you can choose from). Identify where this passage might be touching your life today. How is this relevant to your life? - Read the passage a third time, again in a different translation if possible. Ask yourself what God is calling you to do or to be from this passage. What change might God be moving your toward? - Close with a silent prayer, listening to God rather than speaking to God. What actions will you take today based on this prayer? - Recite the Lord's Prayer.
Read more