FEBRUARY 22 READING…Mark 9
How incredible it would be to see the kingdom of God present with power. What would that look like? Surely, it is found in Jesus…and the fullness of who He is. Truth be told we, the church, are blessed to see the kingdom of God like no other human era. The Holy Spirit who lives within us reveals Jesus and who He is in our lives. Jesus promised His disciples, and us, that when the Holy Spirit came He would glorify Jesus in our lives. To glorify means, “to make known”. So, the Holy Spirit living in us, and working through us, enables us to see the kingdom of God present with power…yet we still at this time, “see through a glass dimly”. Jesus and three of His disciples were on a mountain when suddenly Jesus was changed (transfigured) before them…and Elijah and Moses joined them there. This miraculous event was not to exalt or get the disciples to more clearly venerate Moses and Elijah…quite the opposite. It was to give them understanding just who Jesus actually is…Jesus is the fulfillment of the law, and Jesus is the fulfillment of al prophecy. When it was all said and done, only Jesus stood before the disciples…and the voice of God from heaven instructed them that Jesus is His Son, that they were to listen to Him.
Jesus continues to serve the people by performing miracles in their lives…this service was also revelatory…the Lord used this to reveal Himself to those who had eyes to see. A parent brought their demon possessed son to the disciples to have the demons cast out…the disciples could not cast the demon out. Jesus steps up to minister to this young man who when the demons controlled him foamed at the mouth, throws him to the ground, and becomes rigid as he gnashes his teeth. Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out, and he did immediately…even the demons tremble and are obedient to Jesus. Jesus teaches His disciples the true meaning of being a servant. The incredible thing about Jesus’ approach to teach is that He not only spoke the truth, but He lived the truth. We are called to do the same thing. Our reading ends with Jesus confirming the reality of hell…and it is clear that He was not speaking metaphorically, but literally.
Please share your thoughts from today’s reading.
TOMORROW'S READING…Mark 10
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