THE POWER AND GLORY OF JESUS

This message was preached at Grace Baptist Church in Westlake, OH on Sunday, July 27, 2008.
To hear an audio of this message, go to www.gbcwestlake.org and click listen online.

THE GLORY AND POWER OF JESUS
Mark 9:1-29

Please turn in your Bible to Mark 9. In the Bible in front of you, it is page 873 or 891.

A missionary society wrote to missionary David Livingstone, serving in undeveloped Africa, and asked, "Have you found a good road to where you are? If so, we want to know how to send other men to join you." Livingstone wrote back, "If you have men who will come only if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all."

Reading #1:
1: Last week, we read that…
2: Jesus began to teach His disciples that He must suffer many things,
3: Be rejected and condemned by the religious leaders,
4: And be murdered [emphatically]

1: And rise again [as though you don’t want them to forget this one]
2: But no one paid attention to that point. [emphasize “that”]
3: He was not speaking in parables but spoke very clearly.
4: Never afraid to speak without thinking, the leader of the pack, Peter, asked to have a private conference with Jesus.

1: When he got Jesus alone to the side, he rebuked him:
2: “Jesus, what are you thinking? You can’t talk like this! [in a rebuking tone]
3: You have never talked like this before. This makes no sense! [emphatic]
4: You are the Messiah, remember? You are supposed to do the conquering, not be conquered!

1: Certainly, not be killed! The people are ready to follow you. [matter of fact]
2: We are all ready to follow you. [a little stronger]
3: To overthrow the Roman government. [building in intensity]
4: To set up your Kingdom, right here and right now! [victoriously]

1: …Then Jesus turned to all of his disciples and rebuked Peter in front of them all.
2: Get behind me Satan! [strong, commanding]
3: You are speaking the word of Satan, as you try to dissuade me from God’s plan
4: You have set your mind on the plan of man, not the plan of God.

1: Jesus then called a crowd of people to Him, and with his disciples listening in, explained what it takes to be a true follower of this one and only Messiah:
2: If anyone wants to be my disciple, he must
3: Deny himself
4. Take up his cross

1: And follow Me.
2: If you are living only for the physical life
3: You will not have eternal life
4: If you give up control of your life for my glory

1: Then, you have eternal life.
2: There is no eternal benefit to having everything this world has to offer but not having eternity in Heaven
3: Those who deny Me now
4: Will be rejected when I return to judge someday.

That reading was a loose paraphrase of the final verses of the last passage we covered last week: Mark 8:31-38. We needed to be reminded of what Jesus had been talking about, because our first verse this morning concludes that discussion and gets us prepared for the passage under consideration this morning.

Mark 9:1 – “And he said to them, Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

He just spoke to them of a time when Jesus would come to judge, warning that those who reject Him now, will be rejected by Him when He comes. Just after that, he makes an emphatic statement, beginning with “Truly I say to you”. Then, He tells them that some of them that were there at that moment would not die until got a taste of this future kingdom, which would come in a powerful way.

Now, remember, just before this, they were all upset because everyone expected Jesus to set up His Kingdom very soon. But Jesus said that it was not God’s plan…yet. Before that, He would need to suffer terribly, die and then rise again. Sometime after those events, then He could come at any time to set up His Kingdom. However, Jesus was going to give some of them a taste of His glory…very soon.

There are different ideas about what this taste of the Kingdom would look like; but I believe, because of what comes next in this text, this is the immediate fulfillment. Certainly, there would be power displayed at Jesus’ death and resurrection, as well as at the Day of Pentecost. But, the next recorded event after Jesus said these words best fit the context of His promise.

Mark 9:2,3 – “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.”

3 Disciples experienced a taste of the future glory of Jesus

The fact that the next words after verse 1 are: “And after six days” show the connection between what was said in verse one and what is going to happen now.
Jesus took His closest disciples: Peter, James and John and took them high on a mountain. This might remind us of times when God revealed Himself on a mountain, such as to Moses and also to Elijah, both on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24;
I Kings 19).

Then it tells us: “And he [Jesus] was transfigured before them…” This word translated “transfigured” is the word from which we get our English word: “Metamorphosis”. It means to be changed into another form. For just a moment, Jesus’ body was transformed into His glorified body and the bright whiteness of his clothes was unlike anything they had ever seen.

They caught a glimpse of what He would look like when He does come one day to judge and set up His Kingdom in power.

Walvoord and Zuck put it this way: “Jesus’ transfiguration was a striking preview and guarantee of His future coming in glory.”

If that wasn’t awesome enough, look at what happened next:

Mark 9:4 – “And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.”

One moment, there is this bright light of Jesus’ glory, and then they blink and look again; and the disciples see Jesus talking with 2 guys, and these guys were known right away, somehow. It was Elijah and Moses. Moses represented the law and Elijah, the prophets. Jesus had said that He was the fulfillment of both.

Yes, this was the same Elijah that some people thought Jesus was. Yes, this was the Moses who died long ago, who wrote the law and led God’s people up to the brink of the promised land. Yes, this was Elijah, who was a mighty prophet of God and did many miracles. Yes, these two men were miraculously brought back to Earth, just for this moment. In life, they had seen God’s great power revealed on Mount Sinai. Now, they were a part of these 3 disciples were experiencing: the awesome power and glory of Jesus, as they had never seen; and would no one would see (in this way), until Jesus returns to set up His Earthly Kingdom.

Of course, these 3 disciples didn’t know this was just a taste of the Kingdom and the power and glory of God. They probably thought this was it… the time had come. And, even though verse 6 tells us that they didn’t know what to say, Peter decides to say something anyway!

Mark 9:5 – “And Peter said to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one of Moses and one for Elijah.”

Peter, Peter, Peter…He impulsively says: Rabbi, that is, teacher, good thing we are here to experience your glory and the glorious reappearing of these great men of faith. Let’s build 3 booths, 3 tents of meeting, one for each of you, to commemorate and continue to celebrate your glory! This may sound bold, but the next verse explains why Peter just started talking:

Mark 9:6 – “For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.”

They had seen many of Jesus’ miracles, but they had never seen Him transformed like this; and they had never seen Moses and Elijah appear before. This was incredible, unexplainable, to them: terrifying. They didn’t know what to say. They were speechless; but Peter just had to say something, so that’s what came out of his mouth. They were obviously not able to comprehend what was going on; but that is pretty normal for them. If they built these tabernacles, booths, then it would give them a feeling of security, safety, and glory, rather than the suffering and death Jesus had been talking about. They wanted to escape their fear.

They needed an explanation, and God the Father provided it, next:

Mark 9:7 – “And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, This is my beloved Son, listen to him.”

In the midst of their doubts and failures, the disciples were to focus on following Jesus.

As in many times before, in the Old Testament, God appeared in a cloud and commanded with His voice. At Jesus’ baptism, this also took place:

Mark 1:11 – “And a voice came from heaven, you are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

God wanted to make sure these disciples understood a very important point. Jesus was greater in glory than Moses and Elijah. Jesus was God’s Only Son, and the fulfillment of the law and prophets, represented by these 2 Old Testament characters. His command for how they should respond to Jesus was:

“Listen to Him.” It means to be “obedient to him”. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of a prophecy spoken by Moses, back in the law:
Deuteronomy 18:15,18 – “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brother – it is to him you shall listen…and he shall speak to them all that I command him.”

Jesus, not Moses, not Elijah, is now the One with the authority to speak for God. In a sense, this event let these closest disciples see that a definite transition had taken place. Yes, they still had the law of Moses and the Prophets, but Jesus was the One who fulfilled them all; and it was to Him that they were to listen and completely obey. And in the context of what Jesus had just revealed to His disciples, and of what Peter had rebuked Him for, this was fitting.

Jesus had been trying to tell them: I am going to suffer, be murdered, and then rise again. And now, He was telling them, even showing them, that He would come in glory in the future; and that they didn’t need to fear.

Later on, Peter would write about this experience and speak much more confidently:

II Peter 1:18 – “For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory. This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.”

God was making sure that these 3 disciples, a part of Jesus’ inner circle and future leaders of the church, would understand that Jesus Christ was THE ONE AND ONLY MESSIAH. He had God’s authority; and it was Him alone they were to listen to and follow. Yes, they doubted, stumbled and failed. But, in the end, they would see the truth and be a part of the Kingdom of God.

There was a man who went to his doctor and expressed the following concern: “Doc, I’m really worried. Every time I drink a cup of coffee, I feel a stabbing pain in my eye. Do you think it’s serious?” To which the doctor replied, “No, the coffee is not the problem - try taking the spoon out of your cup.” The problem for this man was not the coffee, it was the spoon. I’ve done this same thing with a straw many times. The disciples were like this man. They thought the problem was Jesus. He had the wrong plan. He shouldn’t have to die. But, the real problem was the spoon they left in the cup. They were thinking on their own terms, their own plans; and with their limited understanding. That is why when Jesus was transfigured, Peter suggested making booths for them to all stay in and celebrate. He didn’t get it. Now, we are going to see them wrestling with the idea of the resurrection of Christ, rather than just accepting it as Jesus told them. In a few more verses, they will focus on Elijah, when the focus should have been on Christ. We tend to do the same thing. Instead of focusing on Jesus and what He has said; we focus on our circumstances and then question what He said.

Mark 9:8-10 – “And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean.”

And just like that, they looked around, and Elijah and Moses were gone. It was just them and Jesus again, restored to His earth bound appearance. On their way down the mountain, I suspect that these 3 disciples just couldn’t wait to tell the other guys what they saw; but Jesus commanded them to keep it to themselves – until He rose from the dead.

Evidenced by Peter’s idea of the 3 tents and the terror they displayed, these guys still did not completely get Jesus as the Messiah and the plan that God had for Him. Jesus did not want them to spread this until He rose from the dead. Then, the time will have come to put everything in perspective. In fact, it would be after Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to them several times, that they finally would put it all together in their own minds. Then would be the time to proclaim to all who Jesus was and what He had done, including rising from the dead.

And just to show that these guys didn’t even understand what He just said, the final phrase in verse 10: [they were] “questioning what this rising form the dead might mean.” This was the second time Jesus told them that He was going to rise from the dead; but it was not registering with them. They didn’t get it.

So, they asked another question, as they tried to figure this out:

Mark 9:11- “And they asked him, Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?”

They did know their Old Testament prophets. They knew of the prophecy:

Malachi 4:5,6 – “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of father to their children and the hearts of children to their father, lest I come and strike a land with a decree of utter destruction.”

They had just seen Elijah, so they thought this was going to be the time. But, then Elijah disappeared. So, the question about Elijah is asked. And perhaps, with Elijah’s work, maybe Jesus would not have to go through His suffering – who knows? Jesus then tries to clarify it for them:

Mark 9:12,13- “And he said to them, Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things 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 of him.”

Yes, Elijah does come first and bring renewal. However, this does not mean I will not have to suffer many things and go through painful rejection. He said the Scriptures are very clear on that. For example:

Isaiah 53:3-5 – “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he as despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities…”

He then identifies John the Baptist as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Elijah coming to restore. They had just seen Elijah at the transfiguration; but now Jesus lets them know that the prophecy of Elijah was initially fulfilled in someone who came in His place…a forerunner, someone to prepare the way for the Messiah. That was obviously John the Baptist.

John had also gone through a terrible murder, at the hands of Herod Antipas and Herodias, as we saw in Mark 6. Elijah had suffered great persecution, at the hands of Ahab and Jezebel, as recorded in I Kings 19. What these opponents of God did to them, they would eventually do to the Messiah, Jesus Himself.

Walvoord and Zuck explain this well: “John the Baptist fulfilled the Elijah prophecy at Christ’s First Advent. Yet Malachi’s prophecy indicates that Elijah himself will also appear just before Christ’s Second Advent (Revelation 11).

SO WHAT?
Focus on obeying God and following the example of Jesus Christ

It is so easy for us to get overloaded with information. It is easy for us to get distracted by the burdens of this life. It is easy for us to become discouraged because we fail often in matters of faith. We sometimes struggle with doubt, and find it hard to press on in the midst of it. But, one of the things we can learn from this event in Scripture is that, like the disciples who were also full of doubt and failure, there is one person we can count on to do what He has said.

Jesus Christ will come again, and He will set up His Kingdom. No matter our circumstances, we can know that what God says is true and will be fulfilled in the future. Therefore, we can focus on what we can control. Learn of what God expects and commit yourself to obedience. When you fail, confess it and keep pursuing Him. Learn more of Jesus Christ and model your life around His. This is certainly enough for us to work on.

So, they get down the mountain and return to the rest of the disciples, just to find that there is some more action going on here as well – Mark 9:14,15:

Reading #2: Mark 9:14,15
1: And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them
2: And scribes arguing with them.
3: and immediately all the crowd, when they saw Jesus
4: Were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him.

[pause]
1: Aren’t you guys supposed to the disciples of Jesus Christ, the great miracle worker?
2: So, what’s your point?
3: Well, it’s obvious He didn’t give you any of His power that you claim; because you cannot heal this boy.
4: Well, you’re sure not helping anything. All you do is sit around and condemn these sick people, claiming they have sinned.

1: That’s right, Pharisees! At least we are trying to help!
2: Trying to help? You guys aren’t helping anybody. You’re a bunch of frauds
3: Yeah? Well look who’s calling people frauds - you hypocrites
4: Hey, everybody - Jesus is here!

It doesn’t tell us the exact words of the argument; but in the next verses we find out what the topic was. There was a crowd gathered as the scribes of the Law argued with the remaining disciples. When Jesus arrived, however, all attention went to Him. And Jesus spoke:

Mark 9:16-18 – “And he asked them, What are you arguing about with them? And someone from the crowd answered him, Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciple to cast it out, and they were not able.”

Jesus asked the remaining 9 disciples what they were arguing about, and someone from the crowd explains it, because he started it all. His son had an evil spirit. He came to his disciples for help; but they could not cast the spirit out. They tried, but couldn’t do it. This demon had a terrible affect on this boy, and his father was desperate for help. Perhaps Jesus could do something that His followers could not. They should have been able to. Back in Mark 6:7, Jesus gave them the authority to do so. It should have been expected that they could have done this without Jesus.
So, Jesus responds to this news:

Mark 9:19 – “And he answered them, O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.”
The inability to do what Jesus had given the power to do was linked to a lack of faith

Jesus showed emotion, disappointment and heartbreak, in the people’s, in particular, His disciples, lack of faith. They continued to demonstrate that they had not fully embraced in practice what they said they believed through their words of commitment. They did believe, but they failed time and again to put the truth into daily practice, such as in this case of the demon-possessed boy. And Jesus expresses what any frustrated parent might say: How long do I have to put up with this? I will show you again. Bring the boy to me.

Robert Louis Stevenson gave us this little story:A ship was in a serious storm and in great distress. The passengers were alarmed. One of them finally, against orders, went up to the deck and made his way to the pilot of the ship. The seaman was at his post of duty at the wheel, but, seeing the man was greatly frightened, he gave him a reassuring smile. Returning to the other passengers, the man reported. "I have seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled. All is well."

This was supposed to be the response of Jesus’ disciples, no matter the circumstances. And it was supposed to be the response by people of faith, regardless of what they were facing. This father is going to have to trust in Jesus for the miracle. One main thing they all had to learn – we have to learn – is that in the midst of the storm, our pilot is still in control, He smiles at us, and gives us the confidence to trust in Him. Jesus was continually teaching them this, and He continues as He encourages faith in the healing of this boy.

Mark 9:20-22 – “And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, how long has this been happening to him? And he said, From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

As soon as the demonic spirit saw Jesus, it responded by sending the boy into a seizure, uncontrollably shaking on the ground. Jesus shows compassion and asks the father how long this had been happening. The father said, “since he was a little boy. In fact, sometimes the demon has thrown my son into our campfire and into the lake, trying to destroy him. The father’s faith was shaken. He had brought his son to Jesus’ disciples and they couldn’t help. Perhaps Jesus couldn’t either. Therefore, he worded his request this way: “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

And then, Jesus throws the issue back to the Father:

Mark 9:23 – “And Jesus said to him, If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.”

Jesus knew He could do it. The key question here was: Did the Father have the faith to trust in Christ to do it. Jesus encouraged him to have faith: “All things are possible for one who believes.” Jesus is not talking about having faith in a lucky charm of some kind. He is referring to the faith one has that Jesus can do anything that he chooses; which includes casting out demons. And I love the spontaneous response of the dad to Jesus’ statement:

Mark 9:24 – “Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, I believe; help my unbelief!”

This dad said he believed, but he also admitted that his faith was very weak. I like that. I can identify with that! And the help, in order to have the faith that is needed, comes from God Himself. So, then, Jesus responds as a large crowd was gathering to see what was going to happen.

Jesus had the authority to perform miracles and to use the faith of others to do so

We already know that Jesus was able to heal, cast out demons and do all kinds of miracles. But, one of the interesting things here, and a main point of this passage, is that the disciples should have been able to cast out this demon if they had the faith in God’s power and relied on Him. This father was told by Jesus that it was His faith in what Jesus could do that would bring the miracle. This was an important lesson the disciples had to learn; because it wouldn’t be long before they were on their own.

Mark 9:25-27 – “And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, you mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again. And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.”

Jesus gave two clear commands to the demon: “come out of him; and never enter him again.” And with one last violent surge, the demon came out of him. And that left the boy looking lifeless; even to the point that people thought he was actually dead. But Jesus lifted him up; and the boy got up – alive and well.

This same type of thing had happened at the healing of Jairus’ daughter by Jesus, in Mark 5:39-42. This is a physical picture of the spiritual victory that takes place, going from spiritual death, under the control of Satan, to eternal life, under the care of God’s Holy Spirit. And, in the context, the ultimate battle would be won by Jesus Christ, when He conquered Satan, sin and death, through His dying on the cross and His rising from the dead.

Mark 9:28 – “And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could we not cast it out?”

Going into the house, the disciples were sure curious. They had cast out demons before. What was going on here? Why couldn’t they cast this particular demon out of the boy? I’m sure they were embarrassed, for one thing. This didn’t make any sense to them; and I’m sure it was frustrating.

Mark 9:29 – “And he said to them, This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Fasting is added in some of the translations, but not here in the English Standard Version. Walvoord and Zuck give a brief explanation as to why some translations have the additional words: “Perhaps the words were added early by some scribes to the textual tradition to support asceticism. But the words, if original, refer to a practical means of focusing one’s attention more fully on God for a specific purpose, for a limited period of time.”

Jesus explained that this type of thing: casting out demons, comes through a complete dependence on God – demonstrated by prayer. Perhaps these disciples went into this particular confrontation with this demon, overconfident because they had cast out demons before. And Jesus is reminding them that they must have continual and full dependence on God, just like they did when He first sent them out two by two, to cast out demons for the first time. In the end, this is all about faith.

SO WHAT?
Go to God, in faith, and see what He will do.
This is all about faith. It is all about trusting in God and what He has said in His Word – that it is true. It is all about taking whatever circumstances we face day to day, and submitting ourselves and those circumstances to the authority of God and His Word.

And this goes well beyond the issue of casting out demons. It affects every aspect of our lives today:

Reading #3
1: I have an illness, and I’m not sure I can deal with it
2: The answer is prayer: Give your illness to God; and submit your life to God.
3: Believe, by faith, in what the Bible says. God will use your illness to understand that He is all you need:
4: II Corinthians 12:9 – “But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you,
1: for my power is made perfect in weakness.
2: Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses,
3: so that the power of Christ
4: may rest upon me.”

[pause]
1: I have financial problems, and it seems like God is letting me down
2: The answer is prayer: Give your financial problems to God; and submit your life to Him.
3: Believe, by faith, in what the Bible says. God will use your financial difficulties to improve your faith and trust in Him.
4: Philippians 4:12,13,19 – “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.
1: In any and every circumstance,
2: I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need…
3: And my God will supply every need of yours
4: according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

[pause]
1: I find myself getting worried, all the time, about everything!
2: The answer is prayer: Give your worries, your burdens to God; and submit your life to Him.
3: Believe, by faith, in what the Bible says. God will use your anxieties to get your focus on Him and to glorify Him in your mind.
4: Philippians 4:6-8 – “Do not be anxious about anything,
1: but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
2: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
3: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just,
4: whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

[pause]
1: When I face difficult circumstances, I find my faith to be very weak; and I have no idea what to do
2: The answer is prayer. Give your difficult circumstances to God; and submit your life to Him.
3: Believe, by faith, in what the Bible says. God will use your difficult circumstances to bring about what is best for your spiritual good.
4: Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

These are just a few examples of how our real life issues fit into these passages about faith. It is faith in the glory and power of God. It was for the disciples, and the key issue remains the same for us today. Whether it was the transfiguration of Christ, His prediction of His coming death and resurrection; or the healing of a demon possessed boy, it is all about faith.

And my guess is, is that you are somewhat like me, and I find myself a lot like those disciples – I don’t always get it; and I fail in faith often. I believe in the power and glory of God, but I don’t always live that way. However, God has called me, He has called us, to live lives of faith; and we can take another step toward Him this morning. Perhaps one of the issues you just heard from our readers hits you; and you need to spend some time in prayer concerning that. Or, perhaps there is some other issue of faith you need to deal with God about. Take a few moments to silently pray and talk to Him about your response to His Word today.