Seized

The word seized found in Mark 9:10 regarding the discussion or debate Peter, James and John had about Jesus' reference to the resurrection is interesting. It is a fairly common word found 15 times in Mark alone. It might refer to Jesus taking someone by the hand (1:21; 5:41; 9:27), arresting or taking someone into custody (3:21; 6:17; 12:12; 14:1,44,46,49,51), and observing or holding on to a tradition or law (7:3-4,8). There is a funny story regarding this word, probably told by Mark about himself but without identifying himself by name. In Mark 14:51 there is a disciple after the arrest of Jesus who is running away, but he only wearing a linen sheet over an otherwise naked body. Some men seize the sheet, and he can only get away by allowing the sheet to be stripped off, leaving him streaking through the night. I guess if you are going to get seized you better have worn your underwear (and it should be clean too).

So Jesus has told them not tell anyone about what they saw on the mountain until after the resurrection of the Son of Man. These three latch onto this word (logos) and debate it as they are coming down the mountain. This is not the first time they have heard Jesus mention the resurrection. In fact recently near Caesarea Philippi Jesus told them he must suffer, be killed, and be raised on the third day (Matt.16). When Peter reacted strongly to this, he was rebuked. This must have been fresh on their minds. So what was the discussion about? Did they sign debate propositions? What truth were they seeking? I don't know but they had SEIZED the word. They were locked into the discussion. They were fully engaged in this matter. This is where Jesus wants these men to be, i.e. talking about something that makes a difference. So much of our conversations make no difference. So much of what Christian people talk about is so unimportant. But a conversation about the resurrection is right on. It is exactly what they needed to be discussing.

What types of things did the Jewish leaders talk about? Matters of the law, traditions, rabid rabbis like Jesus, political moves, how to get folks to do what they wanted, or how to shut people up. And when resurrection came up they did not understand what Jesus was saying. But, these apostles are now fully engaged in the right discussion. In our families and in the church we need to be having the right kinds of discussions. I fear we are talking about the wrong things. A man called me recently and said he wanted to come to visit Central before he moved out of state so he would know if he wanted to recommend that people attend our church. I wonder what kind of discussion he wanted to have. Was he looking to see how large we are, or how we sing, or who passes out the Lord's Supper, or how much money we take up and how we spend it, et... I wonder if he wants to have a conversation about the resurrection? Spending time with Jesus changes a person's topics of conversation. Do we really talk about what Jesus talks about? Check yourself and I will check me.