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

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Illustration

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

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.

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