Whiter than White
Opening Prayer
Come into Jesus’ presence in worship now. Pray that Jesus will be especially real and close to you as you worship.
Read Mark 9:2-13
[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 enveloped 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.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What do you think was the point of this transfiguration?The reaction of Peter, James and John to the sight of the transfigured Jesus and the presence of Moses and Elijah is understandable. They knew Moses as the one who led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. They knew Elijah as the one who confronted evil at the heart of the nation in the days of King Ahab. Now these two great characters have appeared alongside Jesus, who is amazingly awesome in the light of his glory. It’s not surprising that they were terrified and speechless.
Afterward, they discuss what Jesus means by “rising from the dead” (10). They ask about Elijah, but they don’t understand that just as he restored Israel to faith, so in their day John the Baptist began that process, which Jesus would complete. Each of them was rejected by the authorities: Elijah was persecuted by Jezebel; John lost his life for speaking out against the king’s marriage; and Jesus died on the cross. The disciples couldn’t make the connections. Their physical eyes saw, but their spiritual eyes were blind.
Apply
Meditate on your own understanding of Jesus and his mission. Ask God for any understanding that’s lacking.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, You are truly the Christ, the Savior of the world. I want to know You even better.
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