Mark 9: 1-8 New Living Translation 9 Jesus went on to say, “I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!” 2 Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. 4 Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus. 5 Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified. 7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.”8 Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them. Lighting is so important on a stage. Where it is coming from and it's intensity will set the mood you are targeting. People spend a ton of money and hire experts in the field in order to ensure that their play, concert, lecture etc. will be just right and that the audience will be drawn in because their work was done effectively.
Peter, James and John saw Jesus in a new light but this light wasn't external it was from the inside. The body of Jesus was like a veil covering what He new He was on the inside. Jesus took Peter, James and John up to the mountain and showed them what the other Apostles would not see until after the resurrection, Jesus showed them His glory. Peter and John would later write what they saw and James would be the first one killed for his faith in Jesus Christ. What it must have meant to James to see what only two others were privileged to see. A couple of things stand out to me in today passage, 1) that they recognized who Moses and Elijah were. Maybe Jesus had to tell them but the Bible doesn't let us know. 2) they were terrified, we too get scared when we don't know what we are looking at. If it were today maybe we'd think we were seeing aliens or something. When I read this passage sometimes I walk away with more questions than answers but one thing that is absolutely clear are the Father's words, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” To listen means more than just take in sound with our ears it means to obey. Peter James and John obviously had respect for Moses and Elijah who represented the Law and the Prophets but it was Jesus whom God declared His Son and told them to listen to. When we are pressed for a decision we shouldn't be looking to the Law or someone to speak for God we should follow Jesus by doing what He said and how He did it. For Jesus living a life of obedience to His Father was an act of worship, it should be so for us as well.
2 Comments
Alan Cruz
11/15/2016 10:55:54 pm
Amen! Thank you for the devotional Miguel.
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Miguel Crespo
11/16/2016 10:27:49 am
To God be the glory. ☝
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