January 6, 2015
Scripture Reading: Mark 9:1-10
1And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
2After 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. 3His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5Peter 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.” 6(He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
8Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
9As 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. 10They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.
Questions for Reflection:
Jesus had a special relationship with Peter, James and John. Throughout the Gospels, you see Jesus ministering to the crowds. We see Jesus sending out the 72 (Luke 10). We see Jesus consistently withdrawing with the Twelve. Yet, there were also special times when Jesus would allow just Peter, James and John to witness something truly spectacular. These three would witness the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter. They would get invited to pray with Jesus hours before his arrest. And here they get to witness one of the most amazing moments recorded in the Gospels.
Jesus makes a bold statement in verse 1. What does he say? How does this set up what occurs in the verses that follow? The time frame “after six days” helps connect the two events together. What did the disciples see on the mountain? What did they hear? How did Peter respond to the events unfolding before him? I appreciate Mark’s parenthetical comment in verse six that Peter was talking just because he didn’t know what else to say. I’ve had experiences like that before. How do you imagine the conversations between Peter, James and John played out in the days that followed the transfiguration?
Remember that we are reading these stories to help give us context for understanding John’s writings in the future. Many have noted that John carries a high view of who Jesus is and the importance of his ministry. How would the experience on the mountain have impacted John’s view of Jesus? How would this experience with Jesus have emboldened John when he faced difficulties within the church later in ministry?
You may have not had an encounter with Jesus like John has. However, if you are a follower of Jesus, you have more than likely sense His work in your life. There may have been moments that have felt like mountain top experiences for you. I believe that God gives us the mountain top experiences to sustain us through the struggles of life. They offer perspective and hope for the days ahead. At One Life, we sing a song that encapsulates this thought. Take a moment and watch “Mountain Top” by City Harmonic below. Spend time worshipping God and thanking Him for the mountain top experiences and His presence in the valleys.
For Further Study:
If you would like an interesting comparison, read Exodus 24 and 34 and compare Jesus’ mountain top experience in Mark 9 with Moses’ encounter on Mount Sinai.