The Beloved Son

February 13, 2011

Lesson: Mark 9:1–13

Key Verse: Mark 9:7

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Introduction

The gospel is made clear in these words of Christ, words which speak of God the Father’s love for His people, and of the showing of this love in God the Son: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Begotten” reminds us that the second person of the Godhead was chosen to be the “propitiation” for our sins; that the Son would take our place before the Father on our behalf, receiving the just punishment that we deserve: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood” (Rom. 3:23–25); “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9–10).

This is the Christ who is the “Beloved Son” (Mark (9:7). When Jesus was baptized by John, “lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him; and a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:16–17). The Son, the great High Priest, is of the divine Godhead, beginning his ministry on earth with the blessing of the Father and the Spirit. “This is the sum of the whole gospel; it is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that God has declared, by a voice from heaven, that Jesus Christ is his beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased, with which we must by faith cheerfully concur, and say, that he is our beloved Saviour, in whom we are well pleased” (M. Henry).

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Christ Transfigured—Mark 9:1–8

Jesus, as he traveled in the area of Caesarea Philippi, gathered a number of people together along with disciples, teaching them of his coming death and resurrection; by which His kingdom would be recognized as being present on earth: “Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.” Note the emphasis of “some of them that stand here,” indicating that the coming of the Kingdom would be in their time, the authority of the divine kingdom of God recognized in the death and resurrection of Christ the Son.

Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John to “to a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them.” A change would take place in the appearance of Christ: “And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.” Snow could be seen on the mountain ranges of Lebanon, symbolically used to give understanding to the greatest whiteness or pureness of an object. We read in Psalm 51:7, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Christ is seen as being “exceeding white as snow,” as one who is without sin, his divine nature, the Savior who purged us of our sins upon the Cross of Calvary. Therefore, “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7; see also 1:9). No “fuller” or clothier on earth can make raiment as white; our faith confirmed that Christ the Son of God is able to save us from our sins.

The generations past, the prophets of the Old Testament times, are set before the disciples of Christ, that they may understand that the promises of deliverance by the Savior is assured and kept in each generation. Elijah and Moses were seen talking with the Messiah, that we may understand these prophets, though generations apart, could fellowship with one another and, especially with the Beloved Son. There is no separation for the redeemed children of God after the death of the body. Thus we rejoice in the hope of our own resurrection and life.

Men like to build statutes and hang up memorials, when life is more precious than these. Peter wants a memorial, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” However, it was not out of understanding but out of fear that Peter spoke. Memorials are not for those who go on before us, but for our hope; yet it does not express the glorious hope that is in Christ. Look for the blessing which has been written upon our hearts that loved ones have placed there during the years of fellowship. And greater still, look upon that great love of God in Christ written upon our hearts and confirmed in His holy Word. The most important truth that His disciples were to learn was who He is: “And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, hear him.” Christ is with us! Hear Him!

Discussion: What have we learned about Christ Jesus?

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The Son—Mark 9:9–13

As they came down the mountain, Christ charged His disciples “that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.” They kept their experience on the mountain in their hearts, “questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean,” asking Christ, “Why say the scribes that Elijah must first come?” His answer was, “Elijah verily cometh first, and restoreth all things: and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be not at naught. But I say unto you, That Elijah is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.”

As the disciples discussed the resurrection of the dead, they expressed what the scribes were teaching, that “Elijah must first come.” The scribes taught the physical coming of the prophet, rather than the truth that one would come in the spirit and power of Elijah. The angel of the Lord spoke to Zacharias, about the birth of son whom they were to name John, he said, “And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth, for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord …And many of the children of Israel shall turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:14–17). John the Baptist had come in the spirit and power of Elijah. The Messiah, the Savior, had also come. Therefore, the disciples are not to be confused, for what was written in the Scriptures about the coming of ‘Elijah’ and the ‘Christ’ is true.

What is written of our Lord and Savior was recorded in the 103^rd Psalm, words about the wonder and grace of Christ, of whom John would be the forerunner: “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; to such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The Lord hath prepared for him a throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.” Heed, therefore, the words of God the Father, “This is my beloved Son, hear ye him!”

Discussion: In what ways are we encouraged in following Christ and obeying His Word?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.