S c o u t i n g   R e p o r t

Mark 9:30-32

Can you recall a time when your coaching staff told you something about an upcoming opponent that triggered some questions?  They’re how big?  Are they really that good?  They’re how fast?  Why are we playing them?  Can we compete with them?  Did you dare ask the question or did you bite your tongue, afraid to ask it?  Jesus’ followers had similar thoughts as they heard some tough information from Him.

We read about this in Mark chapter 9 and verses 30 through 32, “They left that place and passed through Galilee.  Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples.  He said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.  They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.  But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.”

These men heard some very distressing news from Jesus and were immediately full of questions.  They didn’t understand what was about to happen, but they were sure it was not good.  Why would Jesus even tell them about this?  It’s like your coaches telling you that your next opponent is unbeatable.

The point of such a discussion is to teach and to prepare.  Wise coaches give their teams sobering information about upcoming opponents not to bring them fear, but to lead them to strongly prepare for a great competition.

In today’s competition, apply every bit of information you’ve attained from your coaches, from watching videotape, from each day’s practice and let it all lead you to a great victory.

Bible Reading Plan:

Psalms 98

I Samuel 11-13