Mark 9:2-9 (NRSV)
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Verse 2Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, Verse 3and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. Verse 4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Verse 5Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Verse 6He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Verse 7Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Verse 8Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
Verse 9As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Devotion
In Mark’s gospel story we have been hearing the good news of Jesus’ healing people by helping the blind see, the deaf hear, and casting out demons. Jesus demonstrates his amazing power to transform people and those people are forever grateful. Some people who see and hear of these stories, of Jesus’s power, trust that this is the son of God that is here to help all people. Other people are filled with disbelief, even when they can see the power happening in front of them.
Now in today’s story Jesus is revealed in a special way to his disciples as he is transfigured on a mountaintop before them. What do they think? What will we think or believe about this power of Jesus? Will it be hard for us to grasp just as it is for his disciples when Jesus begins to talk about his death and a coming resurrection from the dead?
Prayer
Living God, help us to know God’s presence of God with us in Jesus; help us to see and believe his healings as signs of God’s power among us. Help us understand that Jesus is our only way to you. Amen.