Word@Word 101 - Mark 9:9-13
Published: Fri, 04/11/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 9:9-13 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what "rising from the dead" meant. And they asked him, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" 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." (NIV)
There are always dangers about announcing the future. At work, the employees are often the last to know! It is a way to control and protect change-processes, so that the corporate objectives are not sabotaged. But Jesus had more confidence in His disciples, even though they had proved remarkably dull to understand. It was essential information ... because they had been chosen to be the future of the 'family business'. Jesus knew they needed time to take this unique information on board. So, they respected the confidentiality clause and talked through the strange prospect of their Master's death in their 'focus group'.
The expectation of 'Elijah' coming, derived from Mal 3:1-4 and Mal 4:5-7. Amazingly they had just seen Elijah transfigured with Jesus, although it was clear that John the Baptist had been the 'messenger of repentance' (Elijah) for the people. Also Jesus pointed to Isaiah 53 and cast Himself as the suffering servant of God. The crunch came when Jesus reminded them that John the Baptist was killed because the message demanded too much personal change - which Herod's wife, for one, was not willing to contemplate.
As Jesus prepared the disciples (for the unique circumstances that would surround Jesus and them), so the Bible is designed to prepare us for life and eternity ahead. John the Baptist was a preparer too - some listened and another cut his head off. As Jesus indicated, people usually get their own way ... and removing a truth teller to avoid the message is not just modern business practice! But those who hear, believe and respond get two things: the blessings of submission to the Lord (whose rule is gentle as well as powerful), and the privilege of being next in the firing line! So don't be surprised if those who want to ignore Jesus take a pot shot at you!
Prayer: Father God. Thank you for preparing me to meet this day. Please help me to be clear and truthful as I talk with colleagues at work, and seek to prepare them for eternity, and to do so unafraid! In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
There are always dangers about announcing the future. At work, the employees are often the last to know! It is a way to control and protect change-processes, so that the corporate objectives are not sabotaged. But Jesus had more confidence in His disciples, even though they had proved remarkably dull to understand. It was essential information ... because they had been chosen to be the future of the 'family business'. Jesus knew they needed time to take this unique information on board. So, they respected the confidentiality clause and talked through the strange prospect of their Master's death in their 'focus group'.
The expectation of 'Elijah' coming, derived from Mal 3:1-4 and Mal 4:5-7. Amazingly they had just seen Elijah transfigured with Jesus, although it was clear that John the Baptist had been the 'messenger of repentance' (Elijah) for the people. Also Jesus pointed to Isaiah 53 and cast Himself as the suffering servant of God. The crunch came when Jesus reminded them that John the Baptist was killed because the message demanded too much personal change - which Herod's wife, for one, was not willing to contemplate.
As Jesus prepared the disciples (for the unique circumstances that would surround Jesus and them), so the Bible is designed to prepare us for life and eternity ahead. John the Baptist was a preparer too - some listened and another cut his head off. As Jesus indicated, people usually get their own way ... and removing a truth teller to avoid the message is not just modern business practice! But those who hear, believe and respond get two things: the blessings of submission to the Lord (whose rule is gentle as well as powerful), and the privilege of being next in the firing line! So don't be surprised if those who want to ignore Jesus take a pot shot at you!
Prayer: Father God. Thank you for preparing me to meet this day. Please help me to be clear and truthful as I talk with colleagues at work, and seek to prepare them for eternity, and to do so unafraid! In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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