Mark 9

 Continuing from Mark 8, Jesus told His disciples that there were some standing (before Him) that will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God with power. Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John onto a high mountain where He was transfigured before them. His clothes were shining bright white and Elijah and Moses appeared with Him. 

Peter asked if it was good for them to be present and should they make three altars for Him, Elijah, and Moses -- when he was interrupted by a voice that came from a cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" Suddenly, there was no one there but Jesus and themselves. 

Jesus told them not to tell anyone what they witnessed until He had risen from the dead. They still did not understand what He meant. They asked Jesus why the scribes said that Elijah must rise first, and Jesus agreed with the scribes, meaning that John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah; but He also pointed out that the [Old Testament] prophesied about Him, too, and what do the scribes say about Him?

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the mountain, the multitude rushed Him. A man with a young son with a demon had asked the other disciples if they could cast it out, but they could not. Jesus said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?" And he told the man to bring the boy to Him. 

The demon thrashed the boy and threw him on the ground, and he foamed at the mouth. The man told Jesus he had suffered with this spirit since childhood; it threw him in the fire and water, trying to destroy him. "But," he asked Jesus, "if You can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us." Jesus replied,

If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.

And the father cried out with tears,

Lord, I believe, help my unbelief! 

Then Jesus cast out the spirit, and the spirit obeyed. The boy appeared dead, but Jesus lifted him up and he was well again. The disciples asked Jesus why they were unable to cast out this demon, and Jesus told them that that kind cannot come out but by prayer and fasting.

Jesus again told His disciples about His betrayal, His death, and His resurrection on the third day, but they still did not understand and were afraid to ask. 

Then He asked His disciples what they discussed on the road, though they did not say because they argued about who would be the greatest. He told them: "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." Then He took a child and held him, and explained that whoever received a child in His name received Him; and whoever received Him, received not Him but He who sent Him.

Jesus also taught that if anyone caused a child (a believer) to stumble, it would be better if he were drowned in the sea. 

If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire - where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.

All believers will be tested with fire (suffering), Jesus told them. "Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."

credit: SweetwaterNow