Power of Faith

 

    One of Jesus' most mysterious miracles was the transformation.  He revealed just how powerful he was and if you have faith you get to witness that power.  If you have faith you get some of that power.  The thing is, it's not magic.  It is power to do good holy things in this world we live in.

    Jesus was on a mountaintop with the three apostles (Peter, James, and John) that would display the most power behind their faith.  It was just them and Jesus, no one else.  Jesus literally turned radiantly white.  He became light itself.  Then Elijah and Moses appeared from no where.  Next, God spoke and I believe that the Holy Spirit was there too creating the experience in silence.  This only took moments.  It ended as quickly as it began.  It left the three feeling very uncertain.

    Were they ghost, spirits, joint illusion, or real people?  What did the whole encounter mean?  This is what the three had to figure out for themselves.  They  discussed what rising from the dead could really mean, so they could figure out what they witnessed.  It would not be fully understood until after the resurrection.  They didn't have long to discuss because as soon as they got down the mountain there was a crowd again and they were arguing.

   Jesus called out his apostles for their pride.  He had commissioned them to drive out demons, so why could they not help the boy.  It was because they did not have  the faith.  This requires a strong prayer life.  Faith and prayer work hand in hand.  You wont bother to pray if you don't have faith, but you wont get faith without prayer.  Pray over the areas where your faith is weak.  You can't drive out all evil on faith alone.  You have to pray it away. 

     Allow other people to be different.  Allow them to grow and take their journey without criticism because it looks different from yours or what you expect.  It can cause far more harm to try to create a cookie cutter Christian.  If you cause people to stumble or sin, then you will reap the consequences.  

    The point is to focus on Jesus instead of the flaws or differences of other people.  Focus on fixing your own sinful nature without casting judgment upon others.  The goal is eternity in Heaven for all.  Hindering discipleship is a sin.

    Focus on your own walk.  Trust that understanding will come in time.  Sometimes it is concealed for a purpose. If you want to be great, you have to allow your self to be a servant to all now.  You have to go to Jesus open and humble like a child.  That is the only way you will be great.  It is not easy.  It requires killing pride daily.  

Mark 9