Mark 9:2-4 - The Mount of Transfiguration

Mark 9:2-4
² Six days later, Jesus *took with Him Peter and James and John, and *brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; ³ and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. ⁴ Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.

Message: The Mount of Transfiguration

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has been in preaching mode of late. After Peter and the disciples declare Jesus as the Christ, Jesus states his goal of suffering, and Peter rebukes that. Jesus tells the disciples that suffering can be part of following Him and their old way of thinking that life is about them and meeting their needs is not the goal. Our goal is to follow Him, no matter the cost.

Jesus pauses for a moment here and takes Peter, James, and John to the high part of the mountain. And He was transfigured before them. His garments became radiant and exceedingly white. Elijah appeared to them along with Moses. Moses had been set apart for the work of God on Mount Sinah. Jesus now experiences something similar. 

I think once again Jesus is confirming to his disciples his unique nature. That nature has been on display continually but they continue to struggle to trust Him each step of the way. Here he simply wants to confirm his mission to them, perhaps in an exciting way. Yes, they probably still don't understand. But, he is more than a man. And while Moses and Elijah may have experienced God at key moments. Here Jesus is the one, like God had been to Moses, shining in light. So, this isn't just another mountain have an experience. No, there is something different about Jesus. He has the same radiance and brilliance and glory of God here. As it records, he is transfigured. He is not simply a witness to what has occurred. He is the occurrence.

But, overall, to me, it is unclear what is happening. Many things could be extrapolated from this or assumed to have occurred. But, at this moment, after 3 verses, I'm not sure what more can be assumed. Perhaps Jesus is simply wanting to confirm to his disciples that He has a special purpose and so he is continuing to ask them to trust Him through it all. Elijah and Moses are present to confirm the historical and central message of God to his people. 

Summary - After Jesus has spoken of his purpose of suffering many things, be rejected, killed, and rise again and then Peter rebukes him on this; Jesus then says to his disciples what it means to be a true follower of Him. And now he is transfigured before 3 of the disciples and confirms that his nature is different from Moses and Elijah and his mission is different as he is transfigured into the radiant whiteness that was ascribed to God the Father previously at appearances to men. 

Promise: One day we will Love as it is. 

Prayer:Lord, thank you for being different, for being real, for being all powerful. I am looking forward to being with You for all eternity. It is hard to fathom at this moment, but I'm confident in You. I continue to trust You this day and pray that my faith would continue to grow and I would trust You. Be glorified.