“Salted By Fire” (Mark 9:49,50)

There was tension among the disciples as to which one of them was the greatest, and so the argument ensued. This was possibly due to Jesus’ taking Peter, James and John up on the mountain while the other disciples were left in the valley.  However, when Jesus asked what they had been arguing about they were silent. Jesus’ response to their prideful jealousy reminded me of Isaiah 66:2: “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” In other words, God looks with favor on those who have a correct view of themselves because they have a correct view of God.

Jesus ended this chapter by say, “For everyone will be salted with fire” (Mark 9:49). As I meditated on this verse another story came to my mind that involved both jealousy and fire. As the Israelites were traveling across the wilderness to the Promised Land an argument arose among the sons of Levi. The tribe of Levi had been chosen by God to serve Him, but Aaron and his sons were appointed as priests. Korah was also a Levite, but he became jealous of both Moses and Aaron which led to a rebellion. Korah came against them and said, “You have gone too far! Everyone in the entire community is holy, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?” (Numbers 16:3).

The book of Numbers says of Moses that he was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. So the contest was a picture of how, when we are called into God’s service, we should present ourselves. God Himself settled the issue that arose between Korah and Moses and Aaron. He told Moses and Aaron and all the followers of Korah to meet before the tent of meeting. Each man was to take a firepan, place fire in it and put incense on it. When God’s glory appeared a fire came out from Him and consumed the 250 men who were presenting the incense. The fire of the Lord sanctified His humble servants but destroyed those who came before Him in pride.

Chapter 9 in Mark begins by talking about the kingdom of God coming in power and it ends with a warning about judgment. “Everyone will be salted with fire” (Mark 9:49). Fire can be purifying. When I look at Peter’s life I see how his faith was tested and purified by fire. He rebuked Jesus when Jesus spoke of His suffering. However, when the test came and Jesus was being mocked by the high priest, Peter denied that he knew Him. Fire came in a blaze and exposed Peter’s heart. He wept as the fire burned away his pride, leaving him humble and contrite.

“Have salt among yourselves and be at peace with one another” (Mark 9:50). Pride causes dissension. But where the fire is truly burning, all that can be seen is the blaze. So it is with the glory of of God. When we see Him in His gory we will have a right understanding of who we are, because we’ll have a  right understanding of who He is. Where there is humility towards God and others, there is peace.