Weekly Questions and Thoughts Chapter Nine:
The story accelerates after Peter’s confession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah at the end of chapter eight. Our readings for this week include the Transfiguration, the healing of a boy with an unclean spirit, and a conversation about who is the greatest among the disciples. Here are a few questions to ponder as you do your readings this week.
• The Transfiguration is certainly monumental and mysterious. It occurs when Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. Anytime Jesus goes up a mountain in the gospels, it’s a clue for readers that something deeply spiritual is about to happen. It seems the higher up Jesus goes, the closer heaven is to earth. Are you actively seeking these mountaintop experiences?
• Transfiguration is not the same thing as transformation. We confess Jesus is fully God and fully human, and this revelation of his divine nature is not something new. Instead, it is the revelation of who Christ truly is to his disciples. Jesus asks what others say about him earlier in chapter eight. In this week’s reading he reveals who he’s always been, and it’s true light from true light. What does this truth mean to you?
• Jesus appears with both Moses and Elijah on the mountain. With all the people mentioned in the Old Testament, why do you think these two men are the ones making an appearance?
• The father of the boy with the demonic spirit comes to the disciples asking for healing, but they are unable to do anything. Eventually, the man asks Jesus to help, but Jesus announces it will only work for those who believe. The father makes a profound declaration of faith, “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24, NRSV.) What do you make of this statement? Do you find it helpful in your faith journey?
• The chapter concludes with a warning not to put stumbling blocks in the way of any little ones who are trying to come to Jesus. He then makes a metaphorical point about cutting off hands, feet, and eyes if they cause us to stumble. Jesus is not preaching about self-mutilation but about the need to take away anything from our lives that takes away us from Christ. On this first full week of Lent, what are things you can remove in order to follow Jesus more closely?
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