[Évangile du dimanche] Jesus’ disciples are concerned

Gospel of Sunday September 22 (Mk 9, 30-37)

And they went on from there through Galilee: and Jesus would have none of it known, because he taught his disciples, saying, The Son of Man is delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and after his death he will rise again three days. But the disciples did not understand these words, and they were afraid to ask him.

They came to Capernaum, and when they were in the house, Jesus asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” They were silent, because on the road they had argued among themselves about who was the greatest.

And Jesus sat down, and called the Twelve unto him, and said unto them, If any man would be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all. And taking a child, he set him in the midst, and embraced him, and said unto them, Whosoever shall welcome one such child in my name welcometh me: and whosoever welcometh me welcometh not me, but him that sent me.

Source: AELF

When Jesus announces his Passion and Resurrection to them, the disciples do not understand. But the question that comes to their minds is: Which of us is the greatest? Beyond the somewhat indecent nature of the discussion, one can imagine that it resembles an argument in a playground. Once again Jesus is going to make everyone agree, in a somewhat unexpected way. The Sunday Gospel is commented on by Nicole Fabre, pastor of the United Protestant Church of France (ÉPUdF).

Jesus and the Messiah

In the previous chapter of Mark’s gospel, chapter 8, a shift occurs. We move from a Jesus who is in front of the crowds, like “presented to all the people“, describes Nicole Fabre, to a Jesus whose identity is questioned intimately. This now happens from person to person.

The switch occurs at the time of the blind man’s healing. (verses 22 to 26), after which Jesus directly questions his disciples: “Who am I to you?” (Mc 829). A question “incredibly personal”judge Nicole Fabre. “Jesus is going to speak to his disciples about who he is in depth: what does it mean to be the Messiah?” Which the disciples will have a lot of trouble understanding.

We can draw a parallel between the disciples’ incomprehension and the healing of the blind man. There is a moment when he sees but not yet clearly, Jesus tries twice to perform the miracle. The disciples are a bit like the blind man who sees blurred: they only partially receive Jesus’ message. Thus, even Peter, who nevertheless recognizes Jesus as the Messiah (Mk 8:29), finds himself rebuked – “Get behind me Satan!” (Mk 8:33), Jesus said to him.