In Mark 9 we see Jesus teaching Peter, James, and John; Jesus teaching the 12 disciples; Jesus addressing crowds; Jesus personally engaging one family. We hear the voice of God, a voice we have not heard since the 1st chapter and the baptism of Jesus; We see Moses and Elijah on a mountain. We hear Jesus speak about his death, about the power of humble service, and about threats against the human community. Jesus mission is relational. We see and hear, in this chapter, Jesus practicing UP, IN, and OUT. He reveals some holy mysteries (resurrection) to his closest disciples. He takes the three with him on a holy retreat, where he is seen in the presence of Moses and Elijah, liberator/ lawgiver, prophet/healer. Jesus transcends them both as son of God. It is on the mountain that Jesus' relationship with God the Father is reiterated. That experience changed him and Peter! They had an epiphany, a moment of clarity and identity that will shape the rest of their life together.
It was certainly a Kairos moment for Peter. So significant that he wanted to capture it and prevent it from coming to an end. Nevertheless, Kairos moments end. We don't get to stay "on the mountain", and life in the trenches continues.
We learn that prayer is sometimes the only effective work one can do to confront forces of opposition and resistance. Jesus suggests here that the power to heal is God's alone and that we are often powerless to change other people. This is good news. We do not have to fear personal failure, only trust God. Faith is honest, vulnerability before God. Trusting in invisible powers of goodness, rather than our own willing attempts to do the right things . We learn that faith and doubt are not mutually exclusive.
Jesus navigates between crowds and personal needs. He is not so distracted by the crowds that he cannot see and hear one suffering father. He is mission focused. He listens. He acts. How many people are not helped or healed by Jesus? More than he actually, personally helps or heals.
Jesus offers up core teachings about discipleship, too. Its not about achievement or greatness. Its about service. Its about hospitality and welcome. And its about doing justice by showing mercy toward those who are suffering. In fact, Jesus boldly says that if you are not against him, you are for him. What might this mean? Even indifferent or ambivalent onlookers who don't stand in the way of justice are part of Jesus' mission team. An agnostic physician is indirectly on Jesus' side. Secular nonprofits that feed the hungry are on Jesus' side, even though they do not express their mission religiously or spiritually. This is freeing for us. There may be a lot of people outside of 'the church' who are not opposed to our mission, may even contribute to it. Jesus says, let them do what they do.
Jesus sees the mission of God as a big, grassroots movement of change that does not end. We get to be part of it when and where we are. We get to be merciful, to confront injustice, to pray against suffering and for healing. We get to be part of Jesus' extended family on mission. And we see allies in that mission in and outside the church. How joyful to see God's work in the world, in places we may never go and with people we may never touch. How freeing to trust and know that God is good.
Disciples are learning to balance UP, IN, and OUT like Jesus. Disciples stand in the privileged place of having seen and heard Jesus. And we are challenged to share that in our everyday lives.
Perhaps you will be part of a crowd this week. But, will you see or hear the one person in need of your attention, your time, your compassion or help? You will, if you spend time abiding "on the mountain" with Jesus first. Take a moment everyday to hear God speak. Listen to Jesus. Maybe the word you will hear is this one: "You are my beloved child. I am pleased with you."
