The Transfiguration

Wednesday, March 21 – Read Mark 9:1-8

Jesus promises that soon those who are with him will see the kingdom come with power. And then, as if in fulfillment of this promise and in response to Peter’s protest, Jesus is transfigured. Six days after he predicts his death, Jesus takes Peter, James and John up to a high mountain. There he is suddenly transfigured. His clothes become a dazzling white. Two important spiritual ancestors, Moses the lawgiver and Elijah the prophet, appear with Jesus and talk with him. Peter proposes trying to enshrine the moment, presumably to make it last. But then a cloud, like the cloud of God’s presence in the story of the exodus, overshadows them. The disciples are terrified and out of the cloud they hear a commanding voice: “This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him!” Then when they look up they see no one but Jesus.

RQ: Sometimes in life ordinary experiences become charged with the presence of God. It might be a profound personal experience like holding the hand of a dying parent or being present at the birth of a baby. It might be a public event like Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” Speech, or the Berlin Wall coming suddenly down. In this extraordinary experience the identity of Jesus shines out. He is given the mantle of the law and the prophets. The voice of God which spoke only to him at his baptism now speaks to his disciple witnesses. Jesus’ authority is made clear: “This is my Son. I love him. Listen to what he tells you!” Put yourself in the place of the disciples. If you were privileged to be there for the Transfiguration, how would it affect you? Hearing about it in scripture, how does it affect you now?

P: Dear God, thank you for charging our ordinary experience with your glory. May the light of Jesus shine into my heart and fill me with his love and power. Amen.