Come Follow: The Ultimate Sacrifice--Humility

Mark 9: A Journey Through Faith and Discipleship

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to witness something extraordinary that changes how you see the world? Reading through Mark 9 invites us into such moments alongside Jesus and His disciples. This chapter reads like a journey that begins with a divine encounter and moves through challenges, healing, and profound life lessons.

As I explored these stories, they spoke to me about my spiritual journey in surprisingly personal ways. The disciples were ordinary people like me, struggling to understand and live out their faith, and through their experiences, I can discover timeless wisdom for my own life.

The Transfiguration: A Glimpse of Glory

Imagine climbing a mountain with Jesus, tired from the journey but curious about why He's brought you to this remote place. Then, in an instant, everything changes. Jesus' appearance transforms before your eyes—His clothes become an unearthly brilliant white. And then Moses and Elijah, towering figures from Israel's past, appear and begin speaking with Him!

Peter, James, and John experienced this on that mountain. Can you imagine their awe and confusion? This moment wasn't just spectacular—it was confirmation that Jesus fulfilled the Law (represented by Moses) and the Prophets (represented by Elijah).

The voice from the cloud put an exclamation point on the experience: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" In my busy life filled with countless voices demanding my attention, this command cuts through the noise with startling clarity. When God speaks, He points me to Jesus.

Confronting Spiritual Challenges

Coming down from the mountain, Jesus and the three disciples return to find the other disciples in the midst of a crisis. They'd been unable to help a desperate father whose son suffered from what the text describes as an evil spirit. The contrast couldn't be more dramatic—one moment they're witnessing heavenly splendor on the mountain peak, and the next they're thrust into the messy reality of human suffering and spiritual conflict below. It's like stepping from a sacred sanctuary straight into a battlefield.

Haven't we all experienced this? Those spiritual high points followed so quickly by real-world challenges that test our faith. The father's honest cry, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" might be one of the most relatable prayers in Scripture. Who among us hasn't felt both faith and doubt residing in our hearts simultaneously?

Jesus responds with compassion and power, healing the boy and later explaining to His disciples that some spiritual battles require more profound prayer. There's wisdom here for my own struggles—some challenges in life require a more intentional spiritual approach.

A New Definition of Greatness

As they continue their journey, Jesus overhears His disciples arguing about which of them is the greatest. It's such a human moment, isn't it? Even those closest to Jesus struggled with ego and status.

Jesus gathers them and offers a revolutionary perspective: "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all." Then He places a child in their midst as a living object lesson. In a culture where children had little status, Jesus elevates them, saying that welcoming a child means welcoming Him—and ultimately, God Himself.

This teaching turns my natural understanding of importance and success upside down. In our achievement-oriented world, where worth is often measured by position and influence, Jesus reminds us that true greatness lies in humility and service to others, especially those who can offer nothing in return.

Warnings That Show God's Heart

Jesus then delivers some of His most stern warnings about causing others—particularly those young or vulnerable in faith—to stumble. His language is intentionally dramatic, using hyperbole about cutting off hands or feet that cause us to sin.

These warnings reveal how seriously God takes my influence on others and my spiritual health. When Jesus talks about being "thrown into hell," He emphasizes the ultimate consequences of choices that lead me away from God.

Yet even these hard words come from a place of love. Jesus is like a parent who uses strong language to warn a child about a deadly danger. His desire isn't to frighten but to protect those He loves.

Salt and Peace

Jesus concludes with the memorable image of salt, saying, "Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other." In a world without refrigeration, salt preserved what would otherwise spoil. It was essential, valuable, and a bit mysterious in how it transformed food.

I am called to be that kind of transformative influence in my corner of the world—preserving what's good, bringing out the best in others, and working for peace. This isn't always easy, but following Jesus' teachings in this chapter is the natural outcome.

Conclusion

As we step back and consider the journey through Mark 9, it's remarkable how it touches on many dimensions of faith. From the heights of spiritual experience to the depths of human need, from struggling with doubt to learning true greatness, this chapter speaks to where you live.

The disciples didn't immediately grasp everything Jesus taught them that day. They continued to struggle, question, and sometimes fail. Yet Jesus continued walking with them, teaching them, and transforming them. And that same patient, persistent love is available to you today.

Whether you're on the mountaintop or in the valley right now, these ancient words invite you into a relationship that can transform how you see yourself, others, and the world around you.

Like those first disciples, will you continue following even when the path challenges everything you thought you knew?

Blessings,

Donna Chandler