Impending Crisis. Mark 9:30-32.
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know. For he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”But they did not understand the saying and were afraid to ask him.
Dear Saints,
Things are soon coming to a head in Jesus’ ministry. He wants to prepare his disciples for what is coming, but the disciples are slow to understand.
Privacy (v. 30). We are not sure where Jesus was at this time, but from the account, it most probably was somewhere near Mount Hermon, which was in the North of Galilee. As he traverses Galilee with his disciples, he stays away from the public eye and avoids the crowds.
Preparation (v. 31). Jesus’ time is limited. Things are crescendoing to the cross where he will be offered as a sacrifice for sinful humanity. He wants the disciples to understand that this is all in the plan and that he will rise from the dead.
Perplexion (v. 32). But the disciples are unable to grasp what Jesus is saying. Their minds are fixated on what they had grown up with, unable to take in anything to the contrary. In their confusion, they are also afraid to ask. This is often the unfortunate reality. Asking is the acknowledgment of ignorance and we had rather not admit that we do not know. But asking is also the opening of the door to learning.
Yielding to our pride and not asking is a vote for continued ignorance. What of you? Do you remain in ignorance rather than admit it and open the door to learning?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.