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
The traitorous act of Judas Iscariot was a stunning blow to the disciples. They saw a parallel in Judas to Ahithophel, the trusted advisor of King David, who joined Absalom’s rebellion. We don’t know what went wrong with Judas, but we know about the tragic consequences. He brought his repentance to the wrong people – his co-conspirators, the temple authorities. He committed suicide.
Judas’ replacement was sought from among his long-time followers. The lot fell on Matthias to fill out the symbolic twelve, one for each of Israel’s tribes. They became the nucleus of a New Israel of believers.
The evil one has entered into the hearts of many people, resulting in many betrayals and disappointments for the church. But many more, like Matthias, faithfully work to win the world with God’s love in Christ, to be witnesses to the resurrection that gives us the hope of eternal life.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, look in mercy on your church and grant that we might be faithful witnesses to the salvation you have brought to the world. Amen.