First, we looked at the scene on the Mount of Transfiguration, citing previous discussions and adding the discussion of an apparent contradiction that was not discussed at that time. Second, we quoted scriptures to explain that John the Baptist is in the spirit and power of Elijah. Third, we talked about the symptoms of the boy who was possessed by a demon and was healed by Jesus. Fourth, we talked about Jesus helping his father who didn’t have enough faith. From an apparent contradiction in verses, we saw that Jesus was fasting and that the disciples at that time had no faith as small as a mustard seed. Fifth, we briefly discussed Jesus’ second prophecy of his resurrection after three days of death. Sixth, we discussed who Jesus considers the greatest, and that is the humble people. Finally, the verses clearly state why those who are not against us are those who help us. For Christians, it is better to have physical deformities in order to have spiritual life and avoid hell.
1. The scene on the Mount of Transfiguration
“And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone.”(Mark 9:1-8)
The same event is recorded in Luke 9:28-36 and Matthew 17:1-8. The record here is more detailed than that in the book of Matthew. It is basically the same, but the book of Matthew adds, “When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.””(Matthew 17:6-7) The three of them entered the cloud and heard the voice from heaven. It was reasonable for them to be afraid at first, so Jesus touched them and gave them the strength to no longer be afraid. Previously, in “1. What happened in the Mount of Transfiguration” under “1058 Mount of Transfiguration, who is greater, and looking back -Jesus (13),” we discussed in detail Luke 9:28-36 and many other related scriptures, including why we should not just be saved, and from the scriptures we can see that there are fallen Christians outside the New Jerusalem that is coming as mentioned in the book of Revelation. Please visit our website, https://a-christian-voice.com/, and click on “On spiritual understanding about life” to find this article.
Because we can’t possibly discuss all the issues, today we’ll look at an apparent contradiction that we didn’t discuss last time. The book of Luke says, “Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.”(Luke 9:28). Here, it says six days. Clearly, the purpose of this apparent contradiction is to draw our attention to what is happening and to focus solely on the beloved Son, Jesus. We also know that “…while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.”(Luke 9:29) This is why it is called the Mount of Transfiguration. “And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”(Luke 9:30-31)
2. John the Baptist being in the spirit and power of Elijah
“As they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead. They seized upon that statement, discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant. They asked Him, saying, “Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” And He said to them, “Elijah does first come and restore all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written of him.””(Mark 9:9-13)
Clearly, Jesus was taking a low profile at that time, instructing the three men not to tell anyone that He would be resurrected from the dead. From this passage and subsequent events, we know that the disciples were completely unconvinced. It wasn’t that He didn’t know about this, but rather, “Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.”(John 14:29)
The disciples’ discussion of the resurrection from the dead reveals that they were not very familiar with the Old Testament at the time. Otherwise, they would have at least known that humans could be resurrected from the dead, let alone Jesus, God’s beloved Son. Because the dead were resurrected, there was an incident in the Old Testament where “Elisha died, and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites would invade the land in the spring of the year. As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet.”(2 Kings 13:20-21) Of course, they didn’t know that Jesus would never die after His resurrection. Incidentally, the New Testament also records a resurrection from the dead, though ultimately mortal, of Lazarus (see John 11:1-46).
Regarding the coming of Elijah, “Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.”(Matthew 17:13). For “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”(Luke 1:17). Therefore, John the Baptist is not identical to Elijah, but rather in his spirit and power.
3. The symptoms of the boy possessed by a demon but healed by Jesus
“When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. And He asked them, “What are you discussing with them?” And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!””(Mark 9:14-22)
The same incident is briefly recorded in Matthew 17:14-21. The child’s symptoms are clearly described in these verses. The demon tried to kill the son but failed, giving his father an opportunity to seek the Lord’s mercy. The disciples were unable to cast out the demon because of their lack of faith, as the book of Matthew mentioned: “Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; …”(Matthew 17:19-20) We will discuss these verses later to see what they truly mean.
This time, it mentions that the demon harmed the son before being cast out. However, not every demon that is cast out will harm someone. As the Scripture records, “But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst of the people, he came out of him without doing him any harm.”(Luke 4:35)
4. Jesus helps the father not believing enough
“And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.” After crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, “He is dead!” But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he got up. When He came into the house, His disciples began questioning Him privately, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.””(Mark 9:23-29)
Once again, we see Jesus’ compassion and grace. When the child’s father, realizing his lack of enough faith, asked for His help, He helped him and cast out the evil spirit. Once again, we see His spiritual authority; the deaf and mute demon obeyed Him.
Regarding the casting out of the demon, the book of Matthew says, “Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. [But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”]”(Matthew 17:19-21) There is an obvious contradiction between the books of Matthew and Mark, as one might ask, is fasting necessary to cast out this kind of demon? Yes. Since Jesus was able to cast out the demon, we know that he fasted. This is the first thing we notice about this apparent contradiction.
Since the disciples did not fast, they certainly could not cast out the demon, as the Scripture clearly states: “Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “The attendants of the bridegroom (Jesus) cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”(Matthew 9:14-15) Therefore, the second thing to note is that Jesus told the disciples that they did not have the faith of a mustard seed at that time, a fact later confirmed. When Jesus was arrested, “…they all left Him and fled.”(Mark 14:50)
We note that the Bible does not record Jesus saying to any (physical) mountain, “…Move from here to there,’ and it will move; …”(Matthew 17:20) Did Jesus not have the faith of a mustard seed? This is obviously wrong, so the reference here is to spiritual matters. The Great Commission says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, …”
(Matthew 28:19). We are to preach, but not everyone will believe. When a person believes, isn’t the spiritual mountain removed from him?
5. Jesus’ second prophecy of His resurrection three days after death
“From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.”(Mark 9:30-32)
The prophecy of resurrection three days after death occurs three times. The first is in Mark 8:31-33, discussed last time, as well as in Matthew 16:21-23 and Luke 9:22. This second prophecy clearly states that it will take place in Galilee. Even then, the disciples still did not understand this statement. To understand the full situation of this prophecy, we must read all the Gospels, or in other words, we have to take the union of them.
6. Whom Jesus considers the greatest
“They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.””(Mark 9:33-37)
Indeed, from a human perspective, the disciples would have argued among themselves about who was the greatest. Jesus’ position on the question of who is greatest is consistent with what is said here. When a person grows up physically, it is impossible to return to the physical state of a child and become smaller again. So, what is the true meaning here? Jesus said, “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”(Matthew 23:11-12) It does not say here how old the child was, so it is impossible to guess. However, he was obviously still at the age of being humble, otherwise Jesus would not hold him in His arms and use him as an example to speak. He relied on his parents for everything, just like us, and we must look to the heavenly Father for everything, so we had to be like this child. Jesus did not just say it, he set an example by His own actions. Didn’t He wash the feet of the disciples at the Last Supper? (See John 13:1-17)
“And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.”(Luke 22:25-27) Doesn’t this again align with the same concept? It’s just that the apostles didn’t understand His intention, as we will see in the passages we will discuss in the future.
7. Those who are not against us are for us
“John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is for us. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, [where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.] If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, [where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.] If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. “For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another (G1514).””(Mark 9:38-50)
Regarding the saying “For he who is not against us is for us,” another verse also states: “John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.””(Luke 9:49-50) Here more clearly explains why those who are not against us are for us, and rewards those who directly help us.
For us, it’s better to have physical defects in order to have spiritual life than to go to hell. This describes the horror of hell. Some truly accept physical defects for the sake of spiritual life, but not everyone does. On the path to be conformed to the image of Jesus, who hasn’t stumbled? If a fall resulted in physical defects, then the church would be composed of people with physical defects, which is not true.
We’ve discussed how the rock salt used by the Jews at the time would lose its flavor. The Bible says, ““You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”(Matthew 5:13). We should be salty people who live in peace with one another (G1514).
This is what Paul said, “Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace (G1t14); and the God of love and peace will be with you.”(2 Corinthians 13:11) He also said, “But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another (G1514).”(1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) and emphasize, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men (G1514).”(Romans 12:18). This word G1514 only appears four times, all here.
(Verses refer to those in NASB95 unless otherwise specified.)
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