The Other Six Daily Devotion - Mark 9:2–29

"Listen to Him"

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Which voice has your attention lately?

The Other Six - Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel, FL - The Transfiguration of JesusSix days after Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain.

What Peter had spoken of is shown clearly to him.

Jesus is transfigured before them. His appearance shines with heavenly glory, and Moses and Elijah appear beside Him. For a brief moment, the disciples see what had been true all along. Jesus is not merely a teacher or prophet. He is the glorious Son of God.

Then a cloud overshadows them, and the Father’s voice declares,

“This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.”

That command is the heart of this passage.

Listen to Him.

Coming down the mountain, the disciples immediately return to the brokenness of everyday life. A desperate father brings his son, who is tormented by an unclean spirit. The disciples have been unable to help.

The father turns to Jesus with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.

“If You can do anything…”

Jesus redirects his attention from what He can do to where trust belongs. The man responds with one of the most honest prayers in Scripture:

“I believe; help my unbelief!”

Jesus answers by casting out the spirit and restoring the boy.

Most of us know what that father felt. Faith and doubt often exist side by side. We trust Christ, yet we still struggle. We believe His promises, yet fear and uncertainty creep in.

Daily Devotion - Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel, FL - Listen signJesus does not turn away those who come to Him with weak faith.

He strengthens it.

The Father on the mountain was right.

When life is confusing, when faith feels fragile, when we don’t know what to do next, the answer is the same.

Listen to Him.

Also, when life feels sure and our faith feels strong and we think we know what’s coming and what to do, the answer is still the same.

Listen to Him.

Let’s pray…

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for revealing Yourself as the beloved Son of God. Strengthen my faith when it is weak, and help me to keep listening to Your Word. In every joy and every struggle, lead me to trust You more fully.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

  • Your family
  • Your local church
  • Your pastor
  • Some of your fellow church members
  • The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
  • Your country and her leaders
  • Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt