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. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
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.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
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. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.
And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
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? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”
Jesus has spent the last six days with the disciples - probably they were finally getting away for some rest and some time with Jesus.
We have seen that they are starting to work out who Jesus is. They are understanding that he is not just an amazing Rabbi. He is the Messiah, their Savior.
Now they have to work out what it means to follow him. Peter thought he knew and was soundly rebuked by Jesus (8:33).
Now, Jesus takes three of the disciples - Peter, James, and John - up this mountain. (We are not positive where this is: the top two options are Mount Tabor or Mount Hermon).
This passage has takes on the title of "The Transfiguration."
Jesus is transfigured into his glorious majesty. White. Amazing. Glory. Totally different. Jesus while being fully human is also fully God. And Mark doesn't want us to miss this.
And, again, Peter, like most of us, wants to do something. It's not enough to simply be there. And so Peter wants to build three booths; one each for Elijah, Moses, and Jesus. Peter’s mind, wrestling with Jesus shining radiance, that Jesus is great, just like the other two. Notice that Mark records Peter's response as coming from a place of fear: (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
And then the Father's booming voice speaks from heaven: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Jesus is so much more.
God is moving them in the direction that Jesus is so much more than Moses and Elijah (this will become a major theme in Hebrews).
Then, as quickly as Jesus was transfigured, it is over. They find themselves standing with Jesus. I picture them scratching their heads, jaws wide open.
Jesus tells them not to tell anyone until the Son of Man is risen from the dead. Not surprisingly, confusion follows.
Not sure what to do with what they have seen and heard, they return to the vision of Elijah. And, like many today, they want to figure out exactly when this will all take place.
Which brings this event to us today. What have you worked out about Jesus?
- Do you see him as a humble carpenter who became a great teacher?
- Or, do you understand him as the crucified Messiah, and Savior?
- Can you see him risen with radiance and glory?
- Do you find it easy to get off track and confuse following with becoming an expert?
That thinking and behaviour undermines his desire that we be with him - always.
In fact, without God, we cannot know Him or follow Him. God is the one who does this work in us.
Following Jesus is more than a process by which we accomplish the goal of Christian living. It is the way by which we are always present with Him.
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