Mark 9:2-9 (NRSV)
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Verse 2Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, Verse 3and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. Verse 4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Verse 5Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Verse 6He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Verse 7Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Verse 8Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
Verse 9As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Devotion
Here we witness an awesome moment in the lives of Peter and James and John. It came at a time when the disciples were deeply troubled that Jesus, whom they have now recognized as the Messiah, the Son of Man, the one long awaited for, “must undergo great suffering and rejection.” Peter objects, wishing to defend the glory of God. Jesus rebukes him sharply: “You are setting your mind not on divine things but human things” (8:11). Then Jesus took Peter, James and John up on a high mountain to see the things that trouble them in divine perspective.
On the mountain they see Jesus transfigured before them. “His clothes become dazzling white such as no one on earth could bleach them.” This awesome epiphany comes at a critical time. They realize that the glory of God is not denied by suffering, as Peter feared, but affirmed.
Prayer
O God we thank you for your presence among us in Jesus. Open our hearts to discover our lives by losing them in serving our neighbors. Amen.