When God Says “Not Yet” | Mark 9:9-13

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Our text today is Mark 9:9-13:

And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. And they asked him, "Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?" And he said to them, "Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him." — Mark 9:9-13

The mountaintop moment is over. And as Jesus, Peter, James, and John descend, Jesus gives them strict orders:

"Tell no one—until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."

What a strange instruction. You’ve just seen a divine vision—and now you’re told to stay silent? But Jesus isn’t hiding the truth. He’s timing it. Some revelations only make sense after the resurrection. The disciples obey—maybe because they just heard the audible voice of God. But they’re confused:

“Rising from the dead?” they whisper. “What does that even mean?”

Then comes the question that shows their hope and misunderstanding:

“Why do the scribes say Elijah must come first?”

They were still hoping for a victorious Messiah—one who would conquer, rule, and restore. They knew Malachi 4 said Elijah would come before the “great and awesome day of the Lord.” But they didn’t realize that day would come through suffering, not strength.

Jesus affirms that Elijah did come—John the Baptist filled that role. And how was he received? Rejected. Mocked. Killed. And Jesus makes it clear—the same will happen to him.

The road to glory runs through grief. The path to resurrection winds through rejection.

Rejection by the world doesn’t mean rejection by God. It may mean you’re right where you’re supposed to be.

Like the disciples, we want crowns without crosses. Glory without grief. But Jesus never promised that. He promised resurrection—and resurrection always follows death.

So trust him in the mystery. Even when it hurts. Even when it’s quiet. Even when it doesn’t make sense. Because when God says, “Not yet,” He’s not always saying, “Never.” He’s just saying, “Wait—it’s not time… yet.”

#NotYetDoesntMeanNever, #TrustHisTiming, #Project23

ASK THIS:

1. What “not yet” have you been hearing from God lately?
2. How do you typically respond when God’s plan confuses you?
3. Have you ever experienced rejection while doing God’s will?
4. How can remembering Jesus’ path through suffering change your perspective today?

DO THIS:

Write down one area in your life where God feels silent or slow. Pray over it today—and say aloud, “Not yet doesn’t mean never.”

PRAY THIS:

Father, I trust you—even when I don’t understand your timing. Help me follow Jesus through rejection and believe in the promise of resurrection. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Though You Slay Me"