How quickly reality can hit. After the legendary ‘mountain-top’ experience of the Transfiguration, we are confronted with the disciples’ failure to do precisely that which Christ has authorized them to do. He had given them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases (9:1), and yet the testimony of the ‘man in the crowd’ is that they Church has failed to do what Jesus commands them to do. The straightforward contrast between Jesus and the disciples is stark in its simplicity. He succeeds where they fail. It is Christianity in a nutshell. He does what we can’t.
The passage finishes with an almost ironic twist. In light of their own failure, John’s self-righteousness is almost comical: ‘we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us’ (v.49). At least it would be comical if it weren’t so tragic.
And in the midst of it all Jesus gives a model lesson in not believing your own publicity. Whilst the crowds are marvelling at all He did, Jesus remains focused on the cross. He knows He will be delivered into the hands of men. The disciples can’t quite see past the adulation of the people. Basking in the reflected glory of their association with Jesus, they continue an ongoing debate about who is the greatest. Interestingly, Jesus doesn’t rebuke their desire to be the greatest in the kingdom. He does however radically redefine their vision of greatness. It isn’t so much to do with being welcomed by the crowds, as it is in welcoming. And it isn’t so much about welcoming the important and high profile, as it is about welcoming those with no social capital.
But in a classic reversal Jesus teaches us to see past the value-systems of our world. He wants us to understand that things are rarely what they seem. Society’s way of valuing, rating and appraising is rarely true to reality. When we welcome anyone in His name, something profound happens. We welcome Christ Himself. That in itself is a staggering proposition. But Jesus isn’t finished. The chain of transaction extends one link further. In welcoming Jesus, we are welcoming the One who sent Him.
Questions:
How would you respond to someone who suggested that attributing the boy’s condition to demon-possession was just a first-century (mis-) understanding of what we today would call, for example, epilepsy?
Why are the disciples unable to do what Christ had given them authority to do (9:1 & 40)?
Do you think there is still such a thing as demonic possession happening today? If you do, how would you recognize it? Would it (always) look like the experience of the boy in this passage?
Do you think the Church’s experience and ministry should include exorcism?
Why does everyone marvelling at all that Jesus did provoke Jesus to teach His disciples about His own deliverance into the hands of men (9:44)? Why does Jesus talk about the cross with this phrase?
Why is the meaning of Jesus’ words hidden from them (9:45)? Do you think God would still hide the significance of Jesus from people?
Why are the disciples afraid to ask Him about it (9:45)? What were they afraid of? Should we have a similar kind of fear… or was it a problem they were afraid?
What prompts the re-emergence of the disciple’s argument about who is the greatest (9:46)?
How can Christians today get embroiled in a similar way of thinking and of relating to each other?
What does Jesus teach about what it means to be greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Does it surprise you that He doesn’t rebuke the disciples, or say that their argument is wrong in principle?
Do you strive to be great in the kingdom of heaven? What would it look like for us today to aim to be the greatest (9:48)?
What does vv.49-50 have to say about unity amongst Christians?
What do you think John is thinking that makes him behave the way he does?
