Author: Bill Hall

Mark 9:16
Here once again we have a place where the skeptic will ask a question. Why did Jesus have to ask them anything? Doesn’t he already know everything? Why would he need to inquire as to the subject of their argument? Wouldn’t this cause them to doubt his status as the Messiah?
The answer is a resounding no! And why? Well, it’s important to look a little bit more closely at what is being asked here. The original Greek used in this particular verse reveals that Jesus was asking what they were disputing about among themselves. In other words, Jesus was not asking them what they were talking about, but why they were arguing with each other. He was asking a rhetorical question, pointing out their confusion and disagreement with one another.
He was highlighting the fact that his disciples were bringing confusion to men who were supposed to understand the oracles of God. This question did not reveal weakness in Christ. Instead, Christ was pointing out the weakness of these teachers who were supposed to know more than he, or his disciples.
As we see in the next verse, neither Jesus disciples, nor the scribes there present, answered this question. And why? They understood what Jesus was intimating. The father of the boy with the demon answered because he saw it wasn’t a question that the scribes were intended to answer. He responded to it as a lead-in to his description of the problem to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, may we never forget that Jesus is the King of Kings. As royalty, he will always call upon us to understand truth, that we may treat each other as he treats us. His ways are right, and his judgement is just. He knows what we think, and how we think. He understands our deepest needs. He is Lord of our hearts. Thank you, King Jesus! You are truly the Highness and Majesty over all! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 9:15
Everyone was happy to see Christ. His disciples were relieved, knowing that he could solve their dilemma. The multitude always delighted to see Christ. The scribes wanted the opportunity to question him as well. So, everyone wanted him, but for various reasons.
So often we want the attention of the Lord, but for all of the wrong reasons. We forget to come to him for the things he wants us to bring to him. Instead we come with petty disputes, crazy problems, and frustrating situations. Yes, the Lord does want us to bring these things to him. But, we also come with our preconceptions as to how we want him to respond.

Heavenly Father, may we focus on you, rather than our issues. Though we should bring our problems to you, they often seem bigger to us than you. We have our eyes on the situation, rather than the Lord of All. May we always keep our gaze upon you and bring you our lives for your guidance and control, not just so that you can make things easier for us. We will seek to always remember that you are not a cosmic genie lamp, You are the All-Powerful Lord of the Universe! We must give you the glory and honor! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Mark 9:14
Life stops for nobody. The scribes were giving Jesus’ other disciples quite a rough day. To look on the bright side of things, at least describes did know the Scripture better than most. However, this made them quite a bit more argumentative than most. They had to find for themselves some good reason to deny Christ, to reject him, to be able to say that he was not what he claimed to be.

Heavenly Father may we never try to find a way to avoid your truth. Thank you for the wonderful truth you make available to us. It is so amazing that we can look in your Word and see principles that we can use in our daily lives. Father, we will never be able to understand just how wonderful your truth is this side of glory. As we learn from your Word, make us sweeter, more spiritual, and more of a blessing. Thank you for your glorious wisdom! You are the God of all, reigning forever! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Mark 9:13
Just as Jesus comes twice, Elijah returns twice. At the first coming of Christ, Elijah is John the Baptist. There will be another manifestation of Elijah proceeding the second coming of Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you the truth that you make available to us. You have given us all that we need. It is a joy and delight to work in your service. You give us peace with you, and that is so important. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 9:12
A good reading of Isaiah 49 through 53 will help with understanding this passage. Jesus answers a question and asks another one. Elijah would indeed come before the Messiah. But, Jesus asks, how is it that it is also prophesied that the Messiah would suffer and be rejected? He is trying to get these men to think about Scripture for themselves rather than just relying on what the scribes said. The scribes were a good source, but they were failing to see the whole picture.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us Christ! Thank you for giving us the truth. Thank you for encouraging us to understand and grow. You are not afraid of people who think and ask questions. I love you! Praise your Name! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 9:11
The scribes were students of the Word, even though they missed the fact that Jesus was indeed the Christ. They were familiar with the end of Malachi. Malachi prophesies that the Messiah would be proceeded by the prophet Elijah. So, they were correct.
This question shows that the disciples were understanding now that Jesus was the Messiah. They were beginning to try to process this, and the significance of it. Yet, even as they began to see, obstacles were popping up. The good news is that they asked a question, and learned the truth. They should have asked about the resurrection like they asked about this.

Heavenly Father, we don’t even know what is going to happen tomorrow, and yet often we fail to ask you important questions about our future. Forgive me! I will praise you for your Sovereign guidance of my life. You have it all under control. Nothing surprises you! Thank you for answering our questions and and giving us your promises. You are always teaching us if we will just take the time to listen. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 9:10
How often do we do the same thing? We wonder about something that the Word of God says, and yet we keep it to ourselves. Rather than asking the Lord to reveal the truth to us, we try to figure it out on our own.
Communication of truth to our hearts is a two way street. We must understand this in order to grow to maturity. God makes his Word available to us, but that is not to say that he does not work in our hearts as we read it. As we learn from his Word, the Holy Spirit works in our hearts to bring truth to us.
Though it is good that the disciples kept the saying in their hearts, and continued to ponder it, they could have asked Christ about it.

Heavenly Father, your Word is a great blessing to us. To have your Holy Spirit work in my heart is so vital to my spiritual life. To know that you are working in me, it is such a wonderful blessing! Your wisdom is, of course, infinite. You have chosen to use us to accomplish the mission of the gospel in this world. Thank you for trusting us with this, and allowing us to be involved in your work in this world. You are worthy of all the praise, for you have given us all that we need for this great task. There is nothing in us equal to it. But you have gifted us for this work. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 9:9
This shows us once again that he selected exactly those that he wanted for this experience. The fact is that Jesus teaches against experientialism by these actions. Time and time again he teaches that knowledge is the key. He tries to get his followers to understand Who he is. Just an experience of his power doesn’t seem to be enough.
This is really appropriate, because the Lord Jesus is shooting for people having a personal relationship with him. Indeed, that is what salvation is based upon, a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Besides this, Jesus knew that no one would really understand what the disciples had seen there today until after he had risen. To tell the other disciples now would only confuse them. Peter James and John, on the other hand, were beginning to understand Jesus for who he really is.

Heavenly Father, thank you for this beautiful day that you given us! We never know what you have in store for us ahead of time. But, we know from your Word that it is always wonderful. Even when things aren’t going as we expect, you have a plan. We can praise you when things are wonderful and seem great, and we can praise you when things are tough. At all times, you are there, and you really care. Thank you for your wonderful love for us! We are glad to see in your Word that you don’t just expect us to have an experiential knowledge of you. But, we can know you on a personal one-on-one level. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 9:8
There has been some conjecture here as to why they looked ’round about’, but the explanation is simple enough. The proclamation from the clouds caught their attention. It distracted then from Moses and Elijah, and that is why they looked so much for them once God the Father was done speaking. Not seeing them depart, they presumed these two were still present.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much! You have given us your Word. You have given us your Son. You have given us your peace. We will praise you, for to alone are worthy. Never will we be able to reach the end of our praise. You are glorious for ever! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 9:7
Though this could have been in response to what Peter said, it likely was the plan all along. God the Father’s words here are much similar to what he says at Jesus’ baptism. So, this was once again an intentional verification of the identity of the Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Son, the Lord Jesus. To know him is such a privilege and joy! Your peace overwhelms us. Your grace amazes us. Your love sustains us. Your wisdom guides us. Your truth teaches us. You never forsake us. You are worthy of our best service. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.