马可福音第9章: 先荣耀后十架的人生
 
GK611晨祷生命读经
23.12.2025
主讲：陈炎明牧师


引言：
“苦尽甘来”！基督徒的人生则是先有荣耀的盼望，才以信心进入付代价的人生。因为最后有永恒的“苦尽甘来”！


一、荣耀的显现（可9:1-13）

1.神国降临的预告（v1）
耶稣的意思是：你们当中有些人，不用等到将来死后，就会在这辈子亲眼看见——当神真正掌权时，生命和世界会发生什么样的改变。

2.登山变相的启示（v2-8）
在变像山上，耶稣向门徒显出真实的荣耀，让他们知道祂不只是受苦的弥赛亚，更是从天而来的神子；摩西和以利亚的出现说明律法和先知都指向祂，而天父宣告“你们要听祂”，提醒我们信仰的核心不是追求属灵经历，而是在荣耀与困惑中都持续顺服、跟随耶稣，走完十字架的道路。

3.死而复活的奥秘（v9-13）
我是否急着“展示荣耀”，却抗拒十字架？当神的作为不符合我期待时，我是否仍然信靠祂？我是否听得懂“复活的语言”，还是只听得懂祝福？死而复活是基督信仰的真谛，也是重生的生命的奥秘！总之复活的荣耀，必须经过受苦的道路：先有荣耀的盼望、再有受苦的心志、终必经历复活的得胜。

二、信心的大能（可9:14-29）

1.缺失信心则无能（v14-19）
当发现一个人的基本生活都失常（V18），又说不出原因时，很有可能是背后有灵界权势的干扰喔！甚至有神的人也会感到无能，甚至无法脱离？主耶稣感叹是因为人没有信心啊！门徒失败，不是因为“权柄没了”，而是失去与神的连结。

2.信心不足可呼求（v20-24）
一生的痛苦只因为尚未遇见全能的主耶稣！父亲的祷告是这段圣经最真实的信心告白之一：信心不是完美，而是真实地转向主。耶稣的应许永不落空，只要人相信。但是人若信心不足，大可开口向主呼求啊！

3.禁食祷告有大能（v25-29）
耶稣指出关键：“非用祷告（禁食）不能出来”——属灵权柄来自关系，而非技巧。神不是寻找“强大的领袖”，而是真实倚靠信赖祂的心。禁食是一种付代价的决心与行动，表达了更迫切的祷告。毕竟赶鬼所牵涉的是一场属灵的争战。

三、受难的预言（可9:30-32）

门徒“听见”却“不明白”，因为十字架不符合他们的期待。害怕发问，显出门徒仍活在面子与不安全感中。属灵成长的拦阻之一：不敢面对自己不明白的地方。神的道路常超越人的期待。

四、天国价值观（可9:33-50）

1.单纯像小孩子（v33-37）
人的本性追求“被看见”，耶稣却教导“甘心居后”。在神国里：伟大 = 甘心成为众人的仆人。小孩子象征：软弱、无地位、无回报。我们如何对待“不能回报我们的人”，显明我们是否真正活在神国价值中。为主接待有需要的人，这就等同接待主！这是何等荣耀的差事不是吗？

2.非敌人则是友（v38-41）
耶稣是属于众教会的主，而不单是GK611的专属主，门徒习惯了把主耶稣当成“独家拥有”而产生“排他性”。耶稣的原则： “不敌挡我们的，就是帮助我们的。”神的国度比我们的宗派、系统、事工更大。另一方面主也说了“一杯水的赏赐”，说明神看重最小的忠心。

3.生命的纯与真（v42-50）
主严肃的警告：不要绊倒人，要对付罪；这是天国生命的圣洁与真实。耶稣用极端语言强调：罪不能被容忍，必须被对付。“砍手、砍脚、剜眼”不是字面，而是呼召彻底的悔改行动。

“盐若失了味”象征：失去圣洁与真实的信仰，是没有影响力的信仰。真正有“盐味”的生命，能带来和平，而不是纷争。

总结：活出更美的生命

看见基督的荣耀，活出十字架的生命；从追求伟大，转向真实、谦卑与圣洁的跟随。


  

Mark Chapter 9:  A Life of Glory Before the Cross 
GK611 Morning Devotion
23.12.2025
Speaker: Rev David Tan 


 Introduction: 

As the saying goes: ‘After hardship comes reward!’ Yet for Christians, the glorious hope comes first, enabling them to enter a life of sacrifice by faith. For in the end, there is the eternal ‘reward after hardship’!

I. The Manifestation of Glory (9:1–13) 

1. The Promise of the Coming Kingdom (v1)
What Jesus means is this: some among you will not have to wait until after death; in this lifetime you will personally witness what happens to life and the world when God truly reigns.

2. The Revelation of the Transfiguration (v2-8)
Upon the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus revealed His true glory to the disciples, showing them He was not merely the suffering Messiah but the Son of God descended from heaven; The appearance of Moses and Elijah signified that both the Law and the Prophets pointed to Him, while the Father’s declaration, “Listen to Him,” reminded us that the core of faith is not pursuing spiritual experiences, but persisting in obedience and following Jesus through glory and confusion, walking the path of the cross to its end.

3. The Mystery of Death and Resurrection (v9-13)
Am I eager to ‘display glory’ yet resistant to the cross? When God's ways do not align with my expectations, do I still trust Him? Do I comprehend the ‘language of resurrection,’ or only understand blessings? Death and resurrection constitute the very essence of Christian faith and the mystery of reborn life! In short, the glory of resurrection must traverse the path of suffering: first comes the hope of glory, then the resolve to endure suffering, and ultimately the triumph of resurrection.

II. The Power of Faith (9:14-29) 

1. Lack of Faith Leads to Powerlessness (v14-19)
When one finds a person’s basic life functioning is disrupted (v18) and no clear reason can be identified, it is highly likely that spiritual forces are at work behind the scenes! Even those who have God may feel powerless, even unable to break free? The Lord Jesus lamented that it was because people lacked faith! The disciples’ failure was not due to a ‘loss of authority,’ but because they had lost their connection with God.

2. When Faith Is Insufficient, We May Cry Out (v20–24)
A lifetime of suffering simply because one has not yet encountered the all-powerful Lord Jesus!
The father’s prayer is one of the most honest confessions of faith in Scripture: faith is not perfection, but a genuine turning to the Lord. Jesus’ promises never fail, provided one believes. And when faith is insufficient, we can boldly cry out to the Lord.

3. Prayer and Fasting Carry Great Power (v25-29)
Jesus pinpoints the crucial element: ‘This kind cannot be driven out except by prayer’—spiritual authority stems from relationship, not technique. God seeks not ‘powerful leaders’ but hearts that genuinely trust and rely upon Him. Fasting is a costly resolve put into action, expressing more urgent prayer. After all, casting out demons involves spiritual warfare.

III. The Prophecy of Suffering (9:30-32) 

The disciples ‘heard’ but ‘did not understand,’ for the cross contradicted their expectations. Their fear of asking questions reveals that they were still living in concern for face-saving and insecurity. One barrier to spiritual growth is the unwillingness to face what we do not understand. God’s ways often surpass human expectations.

IV. Kingdom Values (9:33-37) 

1. Simplicity Like Children (v33-37)
Human nature seeks to be seen, yet Jesus teaches to willingly take the lowest place. In God's kingdom: greatness equals willingly becoming a servant to all. Children symbolise weakness, low status, and lack of reward. How we treat those who cannot repay us reveals whether we truly live by the values of God's kingdom. To welcome those in need for the Lord's sake is to welcome the Lord Himself! What an honourable commission, is it not?

2. Those Not Enemies Are Friends (v38-41)
Jesus belongs to all churches, not exclusively to GK611. Disciples often treat the Lord Jesus as their ‘exclusive possession,’ fostering exclusivity. Jesus’ principle: “Whoever is not against us is for us.” God’s kingdom transcends our denominations, systems, and ministries. At the same time, Jesus speaks of the reward for ‘a cup of water,’ showing that God values even the smallest acts of faithfulness.

3. Purity and Authenticity of Life (v42-50)
The Lord’s solemn warning: do not cause others to stumble, and deal decisively with sin—this is the holiness and authenticity of kingdom life. Jesus uses extreme language to emphasize that sin cannot be tolerated; it must be dealt with. “Cutting off a hand or foot” or “gouging out an eye” is not literal, but a call to thorough and decisive repentance.

‘Salt that has lost its flavour’ symbolises: faith that loses holiness and authenticity becomes powerless. A life truly possessing ‘saltiness’ brings peace, not strife.

Conclusion: Living a More Beautiful Life 

Behold Christ's glory and live out the life of the cross; Turn from pursuing greatness to authentic, humble, and holy following.