Imagine being on the mountain top with Jesus, seeing him talking with Moses and Elijah, then hearing the voice of God. Putting that experience into words would be difficult. I’m sure, if we could, we would rather stay on the mountain top than return to the valleys in our lives.

I found this quote online.¹

“Mountain tops are meant to transform you by the glory of God, and valleys are designed to conform you to be more like Christ by the grace of God.”

After Jesus had been transfigured in front of Peter James and John, and they heard the voice of God say, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” The four went down the mountain only to see the other 9 disciples at the mercy of a crowd being argued with because they had failed to cast an evil spirit out of a boy.

Our valley experiences will challenge what we believe about God. We allow these experiences to defeat us or conform us to be more like Christ by the grace of God.

When the four joined the other disciples and the crowd, Jesus asked them, “What are you arguing with them about?”

One of the points I continue to point out to you is, the witness of the disciples is often questionable until Pentecost, when the Spirit is given. Normally, when Jesus is with the disciples, He does the miracles, He cast out demons, though in Mark 6:7 Jesus sent his disciples out two by two and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits. They were successful then, but for some reason the 9 were unable to cast the evil spirit out of the boy.

“Why had the nine disciples failed? Because they had been careless in their personal spiritual walk and had neglected prayer and fasting. The authority that Jesus had given them was effective only if exercised by faith, but faith must be cultivated through spiritual discipline and devotion. It may be that the absence of the Lord, or His taking the three disciples with Him and leaving them behind, had dampened their spiritual fervor and diminished their faith. Not only did their failure embarrass them, but it also robbed the Lord of glory and gave the enemy an opportunity to criticize. It is our faith in Him that glorifies God.”²

The boy’s father informed Jesus about their inability to cast out the spirit. He described to Jesus how the evil spirit affected his son, it throws him to the ground, causes him to foam at the mouth, causes him to gnash his teeth, and he becomes rigid.

Jesus responded not just to the father of the boy, but also the crowd, “O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” When the boy was brought to Jesus the evil spirit caused the boy to convulse and roll around on the ground foaming at the mouth. The spirit had even caused the boy to be thrown into the fire or water to kill him. This had gone on in the boy’s life from childhood. The father pleaded with Jesus, “but if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

Since the disciples had failed, the father of the boy even questioned if Jesus could help him.

I like Jesus’ response, “”‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” In saying this, Jesus meant that anything is possible if we believe because nothing is too difficult for God. We cannot have everything we pray for as if by magic, but with faith, we can have everything we need to serve God.” Jesus cast the evil spirit out of the boy. The disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t cast the spirit out of the boy. His response was, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” This is the lesson we need to take from this miracle, spend time in prayer, not only when there is a problem, pray because God enjoys spending time with us. He knows us well, let’s get to know Him like He knows us. Don’t squeeze out a little time for God, make your time with God a priority.

Jesus and his disciples left where they were and passed through Galilee. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know where they were, because He was teaching his disciples.

I’ve had some good teachers in my life. So-much-so I still enjoy learning. The disciples had the best teacher to prepare them for what was going to happen in the future and the role they would play in that future. The first time Jesus told them how the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and He must be killed, and three days later rise again. Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked him. At that moment Jesus became an object lesson for his disciples. He taught them, “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men” when you try to prevent me from fulfilling the will of God. As we look at this tough lesson, we must acknowledge God’s will supersedes our will, and God knows best.

Jesus revisits that tough lesson on his death and subsequent resurrection with his disciples. He told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” Have you ever been in a classroom setting and the teacher just went over how to solve a problem that will be on the upcoming test. Then they asked, “Does everybody understand how to solve the problem? Most times nobody wants to raise their hand and ask for assistance, but just about everybody is hoping somebody raises their hand, because they are as confused as the next person.

Mark 9:32 says, “But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.” The disciples still haven’t fully understood Jesus’ mission.

“In the second prediction about is death, the Greek word for “betrayed” can also mean “handed over.” It conveys that God is handing over his Son to humanity, and hints that Jesus will die for the sins of others. His incomprehensible fate is for the benefit of the very ones at whose hands he died, and that benefit is in accordance with God’s “salvific” will for humankind.”³

Salvific – relating to the state of being saved from evil and its effects by the death of Jesus Christ.

Even though the disciples didn’t fully understand what Jesus meant when He talked about his death and resurrection, they had time to argue about who was the greatest among them.

Mark 9:33

33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?”

Do you ever ask a question when you already know the answer to the question? Sure, we do, especially when we are dealing with our children. When we do that, it allows us to delve a little deeper into a situation that needs to be addressed. (Son did you hit your sister? You know he did, but you ask him anyway.) Luke 9:47 says, “Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him.”

The disciples didn’t answer Jesus, when He asked them what they were arguing about because they were ashamed of their behavior. What was happening between the 12? They appear to be trying to establish a “pecking order” who is the greatest and who is least among us.

When Jesus included Peter, James, and John in several intimate moments of ministry. It would be easy for the other 9 disciples to see the three as having a higher position in Jesus’ ministry, possibly causing some agitation.

When James and John asked Jesus to grant them positions of honor, one sitting on His right-hand, and the other sitting on his left-hand in his glory, the other 10 disciples became indignant with them.

Jesus knew what was happening with his disciples. He had to get them focused on what was going to happen once He was crucified and three days later rise from the dead. He had to teach them what true leadership looked like with Him being the example.

Mark 10:42-45

42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.

43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 9:35-37

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,

37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

“Serving others is real leadership. Jesus described leadership from a new perspective — instead of using people, we are to serve them. Jesus’ mission was to serve others and to give his life away. Don’t approach life expecting high positions, honors, and special privileges. (That’s not to say those things won’t happen.) Look instead for ways to help others.”⁴

Jesus drove this point home by using a little child. “The conclusion Jesus draws from the child in his arms is subtle and surprising. The child is not used, as is often supposed, as an example humility, but as an example of the “little” insignificant ones whom followers of Jesus are to receive. Disciples are not to be like children, but to be like Jesus who embraces them. It is Jesus, not the child, who demonstrates what it means to be “the servant of all.” The humblest act of kindness sets off a chain reaction that shakes heaven itself, for whatever is done to the little and least is done to Jesus, and whatever is done to Jesus is done to God!”⁵

What the church needs is a whole lot of servants. With Jesus as our example, we can reach the lost and point them to the cross.

Invitation:

Benediction:

Study Questions

1. Our day-to-day lives often place us in the valley. Share a time when Jesus took you to the top of a mountain.
2. Why was the crowd arguing with the disciples?
3. When have you been helpless to meet your child’s needs?
4. What does the statement mean to you, “Everything is possible for him who believes?” Does the statement mean you can get whatever you want as a believer?
5. How important is having a prayer life?
6. Have you been in a learning situation, been asked if you understood, and didn’t raise your hand or say something to get a better explanation.
7. It’s easy to become distracted so as not to deal with something. The disciples didn’t want to talk about Jesus’ death, so they argued about who was the greatest. Have you ever done the same?
8. Where have you experienced dealing with a “pecking order” scenario?
9. Would you rather be served or serve others?
10. How do we get Hillview to become a church of servants?