Mark 9:38-41

Mark 9:38-41 English Standard Version (ESV)

Anyone Not Against Us Is for Us

38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name,[a] and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.

Personal Insights

The whole theme of who is the greatest isn’t finished yet. John had a thought to share with Jesus and it seems that he might have been thinking about this for a while. This thought might have come about due to the disciples not being able to drive out the demon from the boy earlier in the chapter.

John’s comment was that a man, who wasn’t one of the 12, was able to cast out demons in Jesus name and that, as disciples of Jesus; they felt he should be stopped. Jesus’s response is very black and white. He told John that he shouldn’t have stopped this man from doing what he did. Jesus goes onto say that you are either for me or you are against me. We can’t sit on the fence when it comes to Jesus. Are you a believer in Christ or not? There is no grey area here.

The miracle of casting out demons was based on the authority of Jesus not on anything else. This man, whoever he was, maybe a disciple of John the Baptist, believed in the power and authority of Christ. He was able to do what he did because of Christ not because of his standing in life or his denomination or cultural background or anything else. The important thing was his relationship to Jesus.

John gives the impression that he hasn’t quite understood his position with Jesus. Yes, he has the privilege of being one of the 12 and being able to walk closely with Jesus but this is not an exclusive group. Those who believe in who Jesus says He is can do amazing things in His name also.

Jesus goes onto to say that even giving out a cup of water to someone in His name is worthy of reward. There is no hierarchy when it comes to doing things in Christ name. Jesus brings in the whole servanthood idea again to show and teach His disciples the importance of having a servant heart. This is a theme throughout the book of Mark, showing Jesus as a Servant King.

What impression do we give to those who don’t believe in Jesus? Do we judge those who are not of the same church background as us? Or don’t worship the same way as us or what about cultural background or family background? Maybe we have more in common with John than we would like to think or admit.

Mark 9:33-37

Mark 9:33-37 English Standard Version (ESV)

Who Is the Greatest?

33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Personal Insights

It seems like the disciples always give Jesus an opportunity to teach them something more about Himself and the way to live a Godly life. There was an element of shame when Jesus asked what they were arguing about. Even Peter who is normally quick to speak was silent.

Jesus used this time as an occasion to teach them another aspect to Kingdom living and not worldly living. The question they were arguing about was “who was the greatest?” Jesus turns the world’s values on their head. He said in order for you to be first you must be the last and the servant of all. When we think of the word servant a number of images are conjured up in our minds. Jesus gave us the perfect example of being a servant. He not only spoke about being a servant but lived it out perfectly.

In case the disciples (or you and I) didn’t quite get His point with words He gave us a visual demonstration by taking a child into his arms. Many of us have heard the phrase “Children should be seen and not heard” but Jesus shows how important even a little child is to him. One Pastor (Guzik) compared the previous verses on how the devil used and afflicted a child and here we see the contrast of how Jesus treated them.

In Isaiah 2 it talks about what happens to arrogant people (2:11, 2:17). They will be humbled and the pride of men brought low. Three Hebrew root words of arrogance describe it as self- importance that leads to rebellion, an overwhelming self confidence that leads to insensitivity towards others and the last one is self-importance in general. The cure for arrogance is also found in these verses. We are to exalt the Lord alone. He is the one that is worthy.  We need to turn the focus of ourselves and onto Jesus.

The disciples had a lot to learn about servanthood as do we. However, if we study the life of Jesus we see the perfect example of how it can be done. May we be challenged today to live a life in contrast to what the world holds dear.

Mark 9:14-32

Mark 9:14-32 New Life Version (NLV)

A Boy with a Demon Is Healed

14 When Jesus came back to His followers, He saw many people standing around them. The teachers of the Law were arguing with them. 15 The people saw Jesus and were surprised and ran to greet Him. 16 Jesus asked the teachers of the Law, “What are you arguing about with them?”17 One of the people said, “Teacher, I brought my son to You. He has a demon in him and cannot talk. 18 Wherever the demon takes him, it throws him down. Spit runs from his mouth. He grinds his teeth. He is getting weaker. I asked Your followers to put the demon out but they could not.”

19 He said, “You people of this day have no faith. How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to Me.”20 They brought the boy to Jesus. The demon saw Jesus and at once held the boy in his power. The boy fell to the ground with spit running from his mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” The father said, “From the time he was a child. 22 Many times it throws him into the fire and into the water to kill him. If You can do anything to help us, take pity on us!” 23 Jesus said to him, “Why do you ask Me that? The one who has faith can do all things.” 24 At once the father cried out. He said with tears in his eyes, “Lord, I have faith. Help my weak faith to be stronger!” 25 Jesus saw that many people were gathering together in a hurry. He spoke sharp words to the demon. He said, “Demon! You who cannot speak or hear, I say to you, come out of him! Do not ever go into him again.” 26 The demon gave a cry. It threw the boy down and came out of him. The boy was so much like a dead man that people said, “He is dead!” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him and he stood up.

28 When Jesus went into the house, His followers asked Him when He was alone, “Why could we not put out the demon?” 29 He said to them,“The only way this kind of demon is put out is by prayer and by going without food so you can pray better.”

Jesus Tells of His Death the Second Time

30 From there Jesus and His followers went through the country of Galilee. He did not want anyone to know where He was. 31 He taught His followers, saying, “The Son of Man will be handed over to men. They will kill Him. Three days after He is killed, He will be raised from the dead.”32 They did not understand what He said and were afraid to ask Him.

Personal Insights

Jesus and the three disciples, Peter, James and John, had come down from the mountain after having an out of this world experience to face an argument. Straight from a mountain top experience into a valley. The rest of the disciples, a large crowd and teachers were arguing and Jesus asked them what they were arguing about. It all had to do with the healing or lack of healing of a demon possessed boy. The man asked Jesus to heal his son as the disciples hadn’t been able to.

The father is honest in saying that he didn’t have enough faith but that he wanted faith. Sometimes we just stop at saying we don’t have enough faith but don’t go the next step and say that we want it to be different. As one writer said “While unbelief sees impossibilities, faith sees impossibilities because faith draws on the unlimited resources of heaven” (African Bible Commentary). Jesus, of course, was able to deliver this boy from demon possession and for him never to suffer in this way again. Jesus healing was final and complete. Jesus demonstrated His power and authority over the demonic world yet again.

The disciples had many questions. They had healed before but why not this time. Why was the boy not delivered through their ministry? Jesus reply was simple “This kind can come out only by prayer”. Their dependence needed to be on God not on their own ability. Prayer keeps us humble and reliant on God and not on ourselves. As one writer in the African Bible Commentary put it the disciple’s hearts were not prepared. The writer goes onto say that “Only time spent alone with God before such an encounter makes victory possible”.

Jesus reminds us in these verses the importance of believing who He is and what He can do and of our need for intentional prayer. Time set aside to be in His presence.  God does not call us to self-sufficiency but to being sufficient in God and all that He is.

Simon and I have experienced this in this last year with his back and now my shoulder.  We can either struggle through and try and be self sufficient or we can trust God with these situations and ask "what am I supposed to be learning?" rather than "why I am going through this?".  No situation is wasted with God if we truly depend on Him.  Another good reminder for me in these days.

Mark 9:1-13

Mark 9:1-13 English Standard Version (ESV)

9 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

The Transfiguration

2 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,3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one[a] on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi,[b] it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son;[c] listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

9 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. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 12 And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. Andhow is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

Personal Insights

This is an amazing glimpse of Jesus in His glorified state not in His humble human state. No wonder Peter, James and John were so afraid. This scene before them was out of this world. Can you imagine standing on this mountain top with Jesus and Elijah and Moses appear? Men that you have heard of many times and now you stand in their presence. For most of us we would be dumbstruck at the sight but not Peter. He always has something to say even when he is fearful. We learn so much from Peter’s inquisitive nature even if it gets him into trouble sometimes.

The verse that jumped out at me from this section is verse 7 when God speaks. God authenticates again who Jesus is and the loving relationship that they have. The next three words are important…”Listen to Him”. God is telling the three disciples to listen to Jesus. Be obedient, do what He says. God is very straightforward in what He is asking of them. How would we respond if we had been Peter, James or John and heard those words. This obviously made an impression on Peter as he talks about this experience in 2 Peter 1:16-18. How would our relationship with Jesus change after this event? Do we take the time to listen or are we too busy doing? God has a lot to teach us about Himself if we only take the time to listen and know Him better.

Mark 8:31-38

Mark 8:31-38 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Predicts His Death

31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter.“Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

The Way of the Cross

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said:“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Personal Insights

When you read this section of scripture it is so counter cultural. We see Peter struggling with the words of Jesus and straight out rebukes Jesus for what He said. Wow the audacity of Peter to rebuke the Son of God. Jesus’s words to Peter are strong. “Get behind me Satan…” When we go against the Word of God we open up the door to Satan.

I wonder if we could see what each other are thinking if they would be the things of God or the things of men. If you wrote down each thought that went through your head today would the majority of your thoughts be related to God or to men? A scary thought.

“Peter is a perfect example of how a sincere heart coupled with man's thinking can often lead to disaster” (Guzik)

Jesus is very direct in what He has to say to the crowd. Who is number one in your life? Is it Jesus or yourself? Jesus is saying that we must deny ourselves and put Him first. We must give up selfishness and pride and focus on things that are eternal. How often we strive after the things of this world and yet Jesus says when we do this we forfeit our own soul. Strong words from the Son of God to the people of this world.

"Denying self is not the same as self-denial. We practice self-denial when, for a good purpose, we occasionally give up things or activities. But we deny self when we surrender ourselves to Christ and determine to obey His will." (Wiersbe)

Mark 8:27-30

Mark 8:27-30 New International Version (NIV)

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.



If we were to go round our neighbourhoods, where we live, and ask people who they think Jesus is what do you think people would say? The following are some possible answers…..

· A good person who lived a long time ago

· A prophet

· A fictional character

· No idea

· Somebody mentioned in the Bible

· Son of God

And the list goes on……..

If you and I were to sit down and have this conversation what would we say about Jesus? We might mention things like…..

· Messiah

· God’s Son

· Saviour of the world

· The resurrected Christ

· A friend of sinners

And the list could go on and on…….



It is one thing to know about somebody it is another thing to actually know somebody. The disciples in the three years that they walked and lived with Jesus got to know Him and enjoyed fellowship with Him but they still had lots to learn. It is easy to rattle off the right answers of who Jesus is but do we continue, through His Word and through prayer, to know Him better. My prayer for all of us is that we would have a hunger and desire to know Him more and more.

Mark 8:22-26

Mark 8:22-26 New Life Version (NLV)

Jesus Heals a Blind Man

22 Then they came to the town of Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to Jesus. They asked if He would touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand out of town. Then He spit on the eyes of the blind man and put His hands on him. He asked, “Do you see anything?” 24 The blind man looked up and said, “I see some men. They look like trees, walking.” 25 Jesus put His hands on the man’s eyes again and told him to look up. Then he was healed and saw everything well. 26 Jesus sent him to his home and said, “Do not go into the town, *or tell it to anyone there.”

Personal Insights

Often times in our lives we feel that Jesus is far away and not personal with us. However, we see again from these verses that we serve a very personal Saviour. Jesus took time with this man and was very intentional with him. Jesus took His time and conversed with him. Notice that Jesus used physical means to heal this man, He used His own saliva. The healing for this man was not instantaneous but gradual. His sight came back to Him in stages but when he did see he saw very well.

Sometimes in our own lives God doesn't answer our prayers or work in our lives as quickly as we would like Him too. He seems slow in doing what we ask of Him. However, there is something to be learned in the process also not just in the final outcome. May we learn to be patient in the way that God wants to work in us and not miss what He has for us in the different stages. Let us learn to trust and obey Him even if we don't always understand His methodology.