Day 4, Mark 9: A day in the life of Jesus

Title: Day 4, Mark 9: A Day in the Life of Jesus
Theme: A Servant of God has a servant heart

This chapter highlights three wrong ways to be a servant. The first is missing the forest for the trees. When Peter, James, and John see how Elijah and Moses appear with Jesus, their immediate reaction is to put up three shelters. Obviously, they recognize the dignitaries when they see them. One may not see anything wrong with such an action. Yet, this verse gives us a clue that all is not well in the minds of the disciple. Their action is one that is of fear. Mark records:

"(He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)" (Mark 9:6)

When one does not know what to say, say nothing! Yet, Peter in his usual clumsy self, does the silly thing. As Peter and Jesus continue on the conversation, note how Jesus points Peter back to the Scriptures:

Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.” (Mark 9:12-13)

If Peter had known the Word, he will have conversed with Jesus out of knowledge of the Scriptures, instead of being led by fear.

The second is the healing of the boy, in which Jesus reminds the disciples that it is faith in God that is the key to healing. When asked why the disciples fail to drive out the demon, Jesus says:

"This kind can come out only by prayer." (Mark 9:29)

If the special cases can only come out by prayer, non-special cases are obviously possible in prayer. That means in prayer, all things are possible. Shall any one of us pray any less? One with a servant heart will have a heart of prayer.

The third is the notion of who is the greatest. It is not serving the highest or the greatest person in the community, but willing to serve even the least. The servant of God serves God by serving even the least.

What I Learn: The servant of God knows God's Word, prays often, and willingly serves the least of the least.

conrade