The Word This Week
Mark 9:1…
What did Jesus mean when He said to His disciples that, “some of them would not taste death until they saw the kingdom of God present with power?”
They only had to wait six days to find out.
In one of the most stunning stories of the New Testament, Jesus took Pater, James, and John to the top of the mountain, (probably Mt. Hermon – given their location at the time,) and was transfigured before their very eyes.
At this point I think we need to try to imagine what Peter, James, and John were seeing and thinking.
Does the word ‘awestruck’ apply?
You know it does.
Some people, maybe even most people, are in stunned silence when they are awestruck. Peter is not most people. He is one of those rare brothers who speaks out when he is overwhelmed. It is one of the things we both wonder about Peter and admire about Peter. He speaks into his fear. He seemingly cannot keep silent. (Of course the Lord would use that gift powerfully in the first days’ Church.)
But on this occasion, seeing the impossible – the unimaginable, Peter stumbles over his words. Imagine seeing not just Jesus glorified – but also Elijah and Moses speaking with Jesus! Now try to imagine as a Jew, you are literally in the presence of two of greatest, most heroic figures in all of your Bible assembled with Jesus in your presence!
We think of all the reasons this whole scene is taking place, and there are many. But of all the things we see and hear on this occasion, God’s voice coming from the overshadowing cloud declaring, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” is the most important instruction given.
Pastor Bill
What did Jesus mean when He said to His disciples that, “some of them would not taste death until they saw the kingdom of God present with power?”
They only had to wait six days to find out.
In one of the most stunning stories of the New Testament, Jesus took Pater, James, and John to the top of the mountain, (probably Mt. Hermon – given their location at the time,) and was transfigured before their very eyes.
At this point I think we need to try to imagine what Peter, James, and John were seeing and thinking.
Does the word ‘awestruck’ apply?
You know it does.
Some people, maybe even most people, are in stunned silence when they are awestruck. Peter is not most people. He is one of those rare brothers who speaks out when he is overwhelmed. It is one of the things we both wonder about Peter and admire about Peter. He speaks into his fear. He seemingly cannot keep silent. (Of course the Lord would use that gift powerfully in the first days’ Church.)
But on this occasion, seeing the impossible – the unimaginable, Peter stumbles over his words. Imagine seeing not just Jesus glorified – but also Elijah and Moses speaking with Jesus! Now try to imagine as a Jew, you are literally in the presence of two of greatest, most heroic figures in all of your Bible assembled with Jesus in your presence!
We think of all the reasons this whole scene is taking place, and there are many. But of all the things we see and hear on this occasion, God’s voice coming from the overshadowing cloud declaring, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” is the most important instruction given.
Pastor Bill