Read Mark 9 here first: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9&version=NIV
We’re reading about the transfiguration on Palm Sunday. There are some interesting parallels between the two. I think you could say that transfiguration is the social distancing version of Palm Sunday. There’s only 7 if you include God the Father on the guest list for the transfiguration. So well under 10 and if Peter had each way and each had their own shelter they would certainly be 6 feet apart. On Palm Sunday Jesus is heralded by a crowd of Jewish people on Jerusalem preparing for the passover and seen as king. At the transfiguration God and Moses- two very key players in the passover- show up and Jesus is celebrated by a small group of Jewish folks. The transfiguration is more intimate but Jesus is shown to be king in many signs- riding on a donkey or shiny clothing and the way that people react to Him. But the transfiguration includes God saying “This is my son whom I love- listen to him” a better indicator of the kind of King he is.
The disciples response is confusion- “hey doesn’t Elijah need to come again before the Messiah is here?” oddly the strangest question they can ask as they just saw Elijah. Then Jesus heals. It’s a theme throughout Mark. I was thinking Jesus had healed someone in every chapter we’ve read thus far- but that’s not true in chapter 4 Jesus only heals the fears of his disciples by calming a storm. The other 8 chapters thus far have included a healing. This is something I would never have noticed if not for going through this quarantine. Jesus as healer is not high on our list of roles for Jesus- yet it fits well. I think I’m afraid of using the term to refer to Jesus because I want people still to go to doctors- but Jesus as healer is incredibly comforting especially at this time. I think of what a relief knowing Jesus as healer is at the end of life when I’ve watched my grandparents suffer and know they need the healing only Jesus can give even though I’d rather they stay here with me longer.
Here we also have the most honest prayer in scripture, “I believe help my unbelief” and Jesus responds with kindness and healing. It’s a beautiful honest prayer and a reminder that where ever your at in your faith walk- come to Jesus- he doesn’t reject- he wants you to come to him in truth.
Then Jesus discusses dieing more- the dsiciples get confused and argue about who the greatest is- and we assume their idiots and should say Jesus. But instead Jesus redirects- “the first shall be last- and the servant of all” and he says “whoever welcomes children welcomes me” He doesn’t slap them and strike them with lightning which would be my human response. No just serve others and serve my kids. This may as well be my mission statement. Might put it on my office door.
The chapter ends with an appropriate prayer for your celebration of holy week at home – “have salt in yourselves and be at peace with each other.”
May God bless your holy week and feel free to watch our services here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcAPd0pUI55EG0FOwK4sfHA?view_as=subscriber
Marking It Up 