Remember when Jesus called Peter "Satan" in Mark chapter eight? It doesn't get any better for Peter and the disciples after that. If you think, "yes it does!" - fair enough, that part of history is in books other than the gospel of Mark.
I want to cut and paste a few different paragraphs here, from Mark chapters 9, 10, & 14, to point out some things that I think are related. I don't need to say a whole lot. I'll add a few notes and colors to the text, to try and show what I believe are clues - clues to help the reader understand: Don't be like the disciples.
Mark 9:2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters - one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.
Later, Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit:
Mark 9:17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech (see 9:6 above). 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop (see above 9:18), because he was not one of us.”
39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.
42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones, those who believe in me, to stumble (see 9:18 above), it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea (see above 9:22). 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire (see above 9:22) never goes out.
Mark 10:13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. (The disciples have just been told how important the "little ones" are, yet they are rebuking them! Are the disciples causing the little ones to stumble?) 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Later after Jesus is arrested...
Mark 14:66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.
69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” (see above! 9:38)
What's going on?
Is Peter the poster boy for
how NOT to be a disciple?
I'm sure there are more clues" that I've missed! If you see anything else, please comment below, and THANKS for reading.
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