A VISION AND A VOICE
Opening Prayer
My God, I want to see You. Come, Lord Jesus. Let Your presence surround me, Spirit of God.
Read Mark 9:2–13
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)
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Reflect
If you wanted to confide in a few trusted friends, whom would you choose? Why is confidentiality important in friendship?Peter, James and John seem to have been those whom Jesus trusted the most, and He took them with Him up the mountain. There He was transfigured before them – they were able to see for the first time His true glory as the reality of His divine being shone through. Moses and Elijah appeared at the same time as well (2–4). It was an awe-inspiring moment, both beautiful and terrifying. No wonder the disciples were frightened (6).
As well as seeing this amazing sight, they also heard the voice of God (7): “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!” Here is a heavenly declaration as to the identity of Jesus – He is God’s beloved Son. Furthermore, here is the key to discipleship and spiritual growth – listen (with the sense of obeying) to what He says.
Even with this amazing experience behind them, the three disciples still cannot grasp what “rising from the dead” means (9, 10). It is as yet beyond their spiritual grasp. Jesus explains how the coming of Elijah was fulfilled in the ministry of John the Baptist (Matthew 11:14). Just as John suffered, so also will He. The difference is that He will rise again.
Apply
Thoughts of Jesus’ second coming may bring uncertainty, just as the disciples felt. But we can trust that Jesus knows the end of the story. Lay your uncertainties before Christ and seek to trust Him more.
Closing prayer
Lord, show me more of Your glory. Help me to listen attentively to Your voice and be ready to respond in faith and obedience.
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