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
Peter has just confessed that Jesus is the Messiah, but he does not hear the rest of what Jesus has said about his death. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John for a “mountain top experience.” Is Jesus transformed? No, he is revealed for who he was all along.
Jesus is trying to tell his disciples that, yes, he will suffer and die. But this is not the last word! Like all of us who have been to the mountain top, we have no desire to go back to reality. They will come down from the mountain with the words ringing in their ears: “This is my Son, the beloved. Listen to him.” They come back to ordinary lives, to reality, to a boy falling into the fire.
When was the last time you had a glimpse of God? Was it on the mountain? Or was it in reality?
Prayer
Jesus, reveal yourself to me this day. Amen!