A BREAK IN THE CLOUDS
Opening Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank you for the faith that is mine in Jesus. Thank you for continuing to give me greater understanding of who he is and for enabling me to trust him more as I journey with him.
Read MARK 9:2–13
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
The Transfiguration
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.
11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What has been the latest thing you have learned about Jesus that has encouraged you to walk more closely with him?You may have climbed a mountain in low clouds, then, as the mist clears, enjoyed a wonderful panorama. Things that had always been real suddenly became visible. In this passage, Jesus’ closest disciples (see 5:37–43; 14:33) were invited to accompany him up a mountain, but it was when the cloud descended that they had a chance to see clearly.
Moses, Israel’s first liberator, and Elijah, whom Jews expected before the final coming of the kingdom of God (see v. 11), joined Jesus on the mountain. There were many echoes of Moses’ experience in Exodus 24 here, but Jesus was greater than Moses.
Unlike Moses, Jesus would liberate people through his death and resurrection (vv. 9–13). Jesus was constantly trying to tell his disciples this (8:31, 32; 9:30–32), but the cloud of ignorance still lingered. Even this experience left them confused. Fundamentally, they needed to learn to be quiet and listen to Jesus (v. 7). As he tried to point them toward his death (vv. 9–13), they struggled to connect this with his glory. John, in his gospel, made it clear that only if Jesus is ‘lifted up’ on a cross will he be ‘lifted up’ in glory (John 12:32).
Apply
If our heart is not inclined to listen to Jesus, even the most impactful experience of his presence can leave us confused and ignorant. Is there something he’s trying to say that you avoid hearing?
Closing prayer
Jesus, I confess that I am sometimes slow to stop and listen to your voice. I ask for your forgiveness and commit to seeking you more faithfully.
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