Day 49, Mark 9
Today we read Mark’s record of the transfiguration and the events surrounding it. The first 32 verses of the chapter are very similar to Matthew 17 that we read yesterday, so we will focus in on the last portion of the chapter for today’s comments.
Jesus always knows what is going on with us, and so He asks His disciples what they were talking about on the journey. This is embarrassing because they were arguing about who is the greatest! Having caught their attention, Jesus teaches them a fundamental lesson: you have to be like a little child. You must be content to be last and serve everyone. When you welcome a little child in Jesus name, you are welcoming Jesus Himself, and His Father!
Then, continuing the trend of pursuing the wrong goal, John asks about stopping someone who’s not in their group from casting out demons in Jesus’ name. Jesus doesn’t mind if you are in the “in” crowd or not! “Whoever is not against us is for us.” And it’s worth the price to focus on what truly matters. The rest of the chapter is clearly hyperbole to make a clear point, rather than an instruction to self-destruction. But the point is clearly made: it’s better to give up whatever it takes to embrace God’s life!
Incidentally, the verses referring to maggots never dying and fires not going out does not mean that hell is eternal conscious torment. I don’t have room in this format to fully back up that statement, but let me reassure you that “hellfire and brimstone” is incompatible with the character of Jesus revealed in the gospels!
In contrast to the destruction of fire that comes from disobedience, our lives are to be salty: covenanted to God and one another, bringing flavor and fruitfulness to others.
Have a great day!
Mark.