"They seized upon that statement, discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant." (Mark 9:10, NASB)
The Amplified says, "So they carefully and faithfully kept the matter to themselves, questioning and disputing with one another...." Notice that the disciples were not listening to the "subject," the theme, if you will, of what Jesus was talking about. When people are so inclined, they take the posture of the disciples, "....they seized upon that statement," viz., "that statement," which seems most removed from me at the moment, lest some sort of conviction or some sort of "word" I don't like get a hold of me. People have to take such an approach, otherwise their own little religious agenda, their own interests will be exposed. Mostly, it is just an attempt to avoid what Jesus is saying to us at that that moment. Such is the case of our text.
Why is it that so many tend to, "....seize[] upon that statement," viz., a statement which is not the subject of what was said? In the case of our text, three of them had just witnessed one of the, if we could say it, greatest revelations in history. They witnessed Jesus with Moses and Elijah speaking of the coming Cross, something which perhaps should have brought some deep moments of reflection. But no; they did not focus on Jesus' Resurrection. They just discussed, "what rising from the dead meant." It seemed to just turn into some vague, philosophical discussion. Beware!
I should take more time to develop this, but I am usually too wordy anyway. Suffice it to say that you and I must be people of the Book, people full of the Holy Spirit, "Looking unto Jesus," if we are to stay away from the tributaries of life's journey. We do want, do we not, to stay in the main stream of Jesus' purposes, not just for us individually, or for the Church, but also the Kingdom. Distraction with "good things" is always the enemy of what Jesus is saying to you and me, to the Church, yes, even the World. It is so necessary for us to seek Jesus on what He is "doing," on what Revelation 2:7 says literally, "The one having an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches."
Father, in Jesus' Name, keep me from getting lost in the tributaries. Amen.
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Please remember to pray for provision for the David's Tent, September 18-22. I am halfway there.
The Amplified says, "So they carefully and faithfully kept the matter to themselves, questioning and disputing with one another...." Notice that the disciples were not listening to the "subject," the theme, if you will, of what Jesus was talking about. When people are so inclined, they take the posture of the disciples, "....they seized upon that statement," viz., "that statement," which seems most removed from me at the moment, lest some sort of conviction or some sort of "word" I don't like get a hold of me. People have to take such an approach, otherwise their own little religious agenda, their own interests will be exposed. Mostly, it is just an attempt to avoid what Jesus is saying to us at that that moment. Such is the case of our text.
Why is it that so many tend to, "....seize[] upon that statement," viz., a statement which is not the subject of what was said? In the case of our text, three of them had just witnessed one of the, if we could say it, greatest revelations in history. They witnessed Jesus with Moses and Elijah speaking of the coming Cross, something which perhaps should have brought some deep moments of reflection. But no; they did not focus on Jesus' Resurrection. They just discussed, "what rising from the dead meant." It seemed to just turn into some vague, philosophical discussion. Beware!
I should take more time to develop this, but I am usually too wordy anyway. Suffice it to say that you and I must be people of the Book, people full of the Holy Spirit, "Looking unto Jesus," if we are to stay away from the tributaries of life's journey. We do want, do we not, to stay in the main stream of Jesus' purposes, not just for us individually, or for the Church, but also the Kingdom. Distraction with "good things" is always the enemy of what Jesus is saying to you and me, to the Church, yes, even the World. It is so necessary for us to seek Jesus on what He is "doing," on what Revelation 2:7 says literally, "The one having an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches."
Father, in Jesus' Name, keep me from getting lost in the tributaries. Amen.
***************
Please remember to pray for provision for the David's Tent, September 18-22. I am halfway there.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
