Faithlessness and Jesus

Mark 9 is a reboot, a re-beginning of Jesus ministry. You can cut Mark's Gospel in half, either side of Peter's great confession in 8:24. A week after that great moment Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a mountain and is transfigured before them.

Peter makes himself sound a bit slow. he often does in Mark's Gospel. if we agree that mark got his information from Peter, we have to conclude that Peter wasn't one to retweet his own achievements. He offers to make tents for the three men he sees. Jesus, Moses and Elijah. On that mountain, His clothes shining white, Jesus is endorsed by the law and the prophets. In Luke 24 Jesus tells us that the law and the prophets talk about Him, well, here are the law and the prophets talking to Jesus.

But not just the law and the prophets. The men here a voice from heaven as well. 'This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.' Just like at the beginning of Jesus' ministry in Mark, Jesus is endorsed by His Father. The second half of Mark starts like the first, Jesus is re-comissioned by the Father, and sets off for the final part of His earthly ministry.

Having been with Elijah and Moses, Jesus then faces what they faced. What happened when Moses left his meeting with God on a mountain? He was met with the faithlessness of his people, including, worst of all, Aaron. He found them dancing around the Golden Calf, worshiping it as the 'God who brought them out of Egypt.' Faithlessness. Why was Elijah on a mountain talking to God? Faithlessness. He told God that he alone was left, that everyone else has bowed the knee to Baal. He was wrong of course, but that was his perception.

What did Jesus meet as he came down the mountain? Faithlessness. The remaining disciples were arguing with some scribes because they could not cast a demon out of a boy. Jesus could and did. But why, the disciples ask, couldn't they? Presumably when Jesus sent them out two by two they hadn't met any such problems? What was the problem?

Their problem was that even though the Kingdom comes to earth in glory, the Kingdom grows in our hearts slowly. Jesus tells them that they must pray and fast. I can't believe they weren't already doing that, but Jesus simply encourages them to do it more. Pray more, fast more, grow more. You'll get there.

How can we be sure we'll get there? Well, remember who told them to pray and fast? Who tells us to pray and fast? Who helps us grow as Christians. Jesus! Jesus who was endorsed by the law, the prophets and the Father! Jesus who stood transfigured before Peter, James and John. Jesus who took on death, and left it defeated in the grave. Jesus who rules the Kingdom for His people, Jesus who returns.

So if you wish you were growing more quickly as a Christian, you're in good company. And you've got all the help you need. Jesus encourages us to pray, to fast, to ask for help. And as we pray, He'll answer. The great and glorious Son of God will help us grow.