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
In this spectacular revelation of God, Jesus’ inner circle witnessed their teacher speaking with the two greatest prophetic figures of ancient Israel, Moses and Elijah. Hebrew tradition held these men had not died but had been taken up to heaven while alive.
Peter meant well when he proposed that a shrine should be built for each of them, Moses, Elijah and Jesus. Then “a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to him.’”
The Transfiguration demonstrated to the disciples that Jesus was the focus of God’s revelation. It signaled that words of Jesus would have precedence over those of Moses or Elijah. It prepared them for the Passion lest they lose faith when they witnessed him suffer and die.
We also need to keep our minds focused on the risen Christ so that we do not despair of his grace when we enter into our sufferings.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, it is always good to be with your people when they gather in your name. Keep us always in your kingdom. Amen.