What Jesus Did! 'Waiting Before Witnessing' — Mark 9:9-10

Thursday, June 6, 2024

[After the Transfiguration, as Jesus and the three apostles] went back down the mountain, he told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept it to themselves, but they often asked each other what he meant by "rising from the dead."
— Mark 9:9-10 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus didn't want his three key followers to tell others about what had happened on the mountain when he spoke with Moses and Elijah. Why? There are several reasons:
  1. They did not yet fully understand what had happened.
  2. They didn't understand what lay ahead for Jesus - his death and resurrection.
  3. No one would understand that Jesus was superior to Moses and Elijah.
  4. Those who followed Jesus based on this kind of testimony would have been looking only for a "special effects" Jesus rather than the servant Messiah he chose to be.
The apostles needed to wait and let God fully reveal who Jesus is and then they could share with others what they had seen and heard.

Today's Prayer

O Father, help me share Jesus properly with others. I want my friends and loved ones to know of his saving grace, his awesome power, and his ultimate triumph over sin and death. Help me know how and when to share these things. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Jude 1:25
  • 2 Peter 1:16-18
  • 1 Peter 3:15-16

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Looking Beyond the Fireworks
Article by Phil Ware
Peter thought it was good to be in that moment in time, but he had no idea the greatness of Jesus that he was missing! Phil Ware reminds us not to miss the truth about Jesus by getting too caught up in the heavenly fireworks of the Transfiguration.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 9:9-10 NLT — "rising from the dead."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, June 6, 2024

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Godly Folks Desire Justice for the Poor'
"Good people care about justice for the poor, but the wicked are not concerned."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
James 1:26
"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Greater Things'
"Dear Disciple, Even after I ascended back to the Father, the work of My apostles reminded people that My power and presence were still at work. I was..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'God's Call to Help' (Acts 11:27-28)
"During this time [of growth for the church in Antioch] some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up in one of...."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!