Jesus Must Suffer?

Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things.  Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?”  Mark 9:12 (TNIV)

At first glance in this part of our text Jesus seems to change directions.  He makes a statement which does not seem related in any way to what the Disciples were asking about Elijah.  However unassociated we may find it.  Things in spiritual realms are always far more connected.  They blend, overlap and flow together in truth and unity.  It is clear that Jesus took this opportunity to show what was coming.  He wanted them to know that even though prophecy was being fulfilled and the promised prince was here, the celebration could not start yet.  But why mention that here?  Why do we need to know now that Jesus must suffer and be rejected?

It is easy to get caught up in the excitement that the revelation of our Savior brings.  We read or hear of scripture being fulfilled and we begin to rush ahead.  Jesus is come!  Jesus is triumphant!  The Bible tells us and it begins to dawn upon us.  Hallelujah!  Let the celebration begin!  Jesus encourages our enthusiasm.  But He gently helps us see that as long as we live in this dark world there are dark purposes which will rain on our parade.  There are negative parts that will not let us enjoy yet even the most wonderful of news.  In the day Jesus spoke these words, He still needed to pass through the rejection and crucifixion, the sacrifice and the grave.

Drop a pebble in a pool of water and the ripples will go out.  They will touch the banks then turn back upon themselves.  If the sides are close enough you can see those ripples bounce back and run through each other, coming from each side.  In the spiritual realm things work a little like our ripples on the water.  The scale though, is much greater.  A word from Jesus or from the Father goes out unto creation.  That word is spoken and the first ripple reaches all that it needs to touch.  But the word of God is not finished.  There are many more banks to touch.  The words of an infinite God are not reduced like our ripple that diminishes ever smaller.  The words of the Almighty continue strong and full to reach many a distant shore.  They may come from this way or that.  They wash over bringing healing and light in an infinite number of ways.

Analogies using earthly themes to describe spiritual truths find many limitations.  We don´t want to lose anybody to a picture difficult to imagine.  Therefore let us lift up all the words and teachings of our Lord and the scriptures.  Let us say that He knows.  Let us draw closer always to Him.  Let us lean on His understanding.  But let us use whatever we can to draw more light unto Him.  Let us place ourselves ever more in need of being close to Him.

Can we do this now when Jesus says that He must suffer and be rejected?  Can we grab an instant of instruction from the time before His crucifixion?  Can we say that there are still times where Jesus is rejected today?  Are we making our Lord suffer in any way?  He called us unto Him.  Are we fulfilling all His wishes for us today?

Dear Jesus, we lean forward in our eagerness to see You lifted up.  You are our Savior and our hope.  We see our need for You.  We know there is more space inside that may be filled with Your Spirit.  Please do not let Your words of warning point to us.  Keep us safe from rejecting any gesture on Your part to draw us closer.  Our hearts will break at the thought that You would suffer on our account.  Show us how to be as close as You want us to be right now.

Amen