Mark 8:38-9:8
38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Mark 9
1 And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God when it has come with power.”
2 And six days later Jesus *took with Him Peter, 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 And Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter responded and *said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here; let’s make three tabernacles, one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
6 For he did not know how to reply; for they became terrified.
7 Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud: “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!”
8 And suddenly they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone.
Jesus at the Mount of Transfiguration (2)
Prophecy fulfilled
Let’s continue our observation of the event on the Mount of Transfiguration. The experience of witnessing the transfiguration of Jesus left a profound impression on Peter, John, and James. Surely, as time passed, this experience became more and more significant to them. Today, let’s take a closer look at the meaning of what occurred. (1) Moses represents the Law and Elijah represents the prophets. The appearance of these two signifies that Jesus is the Messiah as prophesized in the Old Testament. (2) Jesus’ appearance becoming radiant, shining in glory, signifies that He is the Messiah. Before His incarnation, Jesus was in the heavens being the Son of God, radiant in glory. However, He laid aside all His glory and was born as a humble child. In the entire public life of Jesus, there was only one moment when His glory radiated out through His physical body – this moment in this passage. Now, as Jesus descends from the mountain, He once again veils His radiant appearance. This reveals the immense love that the Lord Jesus has for us. (3) This event foreshadows the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom (the Millennial Kingdom) on earth. Peter, one of the eyewitnesses, testified as so in his letter (2 Peter 1:15-18).
Assurance of life after death
The event of transfiguration also assures the life after death. Both Moses and Elijah were alive. Moses physically died, but the Lord Himself buried his body, and no one knew where his grave was. On the other hand, Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire while he was still alive. Moses foreshadows the saints who will be resurrected, and Elijah foreshadows the saints who will be raptured. “Rapture,” refers to the event where believers will be caught up alive into heaven at the time of the Lord Jesus’ return. Those who believe in Jesus have been crucified with Him and have been raised with Him. And they will be transformed into glory along with Him. Those who confess such hope in the Lord Jesus will live for things with eternal value.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, I believe with confidence that the day will come when the glory of the Lord will shine brightly, and Your kingdom will arrive. Please help me walk in hope. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.