Monday, November 06, 2006

REVIVAL - What I have learnt in the retreat camp (on Mark chapter 9) Part 1

Mark 9:12-13
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? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him."

According to this passage, with Isaiah (i.e. John the Baptist) and Jesus (the Son of Man), everything should be revived already. However, we all know both of them were killed.

Is that revival? What does it mean by revival? There're so many definitions and theological theories on this subject in the last few centuries. What's in the Bible? Not much, and even less in the sense we use today.

And what does it mean? If you continue reading the next passage, you'll realise this is in fact inter-related.

Mark 9:14-15
When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

The disciples and the scholars were debating on why they could not perform the exorcism. They have done it before. They must have known the trick, but why couldn't they do it this time?

They were amazed when Jesus arrived. They obviously have never thought to ask for Jesus' help in this, otherwise, they would not have been surprised by Jesus' appearance.

And what was wrong with them all along?

Was there a problem with their method? The kid perhaps? Or the father?

In fact, the spirit was deaf!!! That's why they had failed. Whatever you said to the spirit, he simply didn't understand.

Jesus succeeded. Well, it's Jesus.

When we're facing our own problems, how do we solve them? In our own way? Or call for Jesus' help?

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