Jesus & Three Disciples on a High Mountain
October 21, 2019
Commentary
Jesus told the crowd that some standing with Him would not taste death before they saw the kingdom of God come with power (v. 1). This event is known as the transfiguration, when Jesus revealed His glory. It came before the cross and may have been a way to strengthen Him as He prepared to bear the sins of the world, reminding us that God provides what we need in times of great challenge and purpose, guiding us with His presence and strengthening our hearts in every moment of need. He prepares us for what’s ahead.
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up onto a high mountain (v. 2). There, He was transformed before them. His clothes be-came shining white (v. 3). Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Him (v. 4). Peter, not knowing what to say, suggested building three shelters (v. 5). They were afraid and overwhelmed (v. 6). Then a cloud covered them. A voice said, “He is my beloved Son: hear Him” (v. 7). Suddenly, they saw only Jesus (v. 8), teach-ing them to focus on Him above all else and listen to His voice with full attention and trust, even when we do not fully under-stand His ways and timing in our lives.
As they came down the mountain, Jesus told them not to speak of what they had seen until “the Son of man were risen from the dead” (v. 9). They struggled to understand this (v. 10). When they asked about Elijah, Jesus explained that Elijah had come (vv. 12–13), referring to John the Baptist. The disciples still had much to learn about His mission. Only through the cross and resurrection would they fully understand who Jesus is, and then they would be ready to share His truth with others faithfully, boldly, and with growing confidence in His saving power each day with courage.
Application
I think about how I respond to Jesus’ voice. Do I truly listen and follow Him, or get distracted by other things? Do I trust Him when His plan is unclear? Am I patient in His timing? Do I obey You right away? keep me focused on You, listen with an open heart, and walk in faith and obedience each day.
Mark 9:1–13 (NET)
1 And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, there are some standing here who will not experience death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”
2 Six days later Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John and led them alone up a high mountain privately. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiantly white, more so than any launderer in the world could bleach them. 4 Then Elijah appeared before them along with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 So Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three shelters —one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 (For they were afraid, and he did not know what to say.) 7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came from the cloud, “This is my one dear Son. Listen to him!” 8 Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down from the mountain, he gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept this statement to themselves, discussing what this rising from the dead meant.
11 Then they asked him, “Why do the experts in the law say that Elijah must come first?” 12 He said to them, “Elijah does indeed come first, and restores all things. And why is it written that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be despised? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has certainly come, and they did to him whatever they wanted, just as it is written about him.”
Man Climbing a Mountain
A man is climbing a mountain, at the top of which he hopes to find God. By ascending the heights, the seeker expects to leave all the cares and miseries of life behind in the valley. But while he climbs, God is coming down the mountain into the to … Continue