Dwell in the Word Mark 9:2-13

Think on these questions while we dwell in Mark 9:2-13:

1. How does the concept of the Mount of Transfiguration serve as a turning point in the disciples' understanding of Jesus? How does it confirm his identity as the Messiah, especially in light of the ongoing "messianic secret" theme?

2. Why do you think Peter's reaction to the transfiguration was to suggest building tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah? What might this reveal about the disciples' initial response to this extraordinary event?

3. In what ways does the conversation about Elijah's coming and John the Baptist's role help clarify the disciples' understanding of prophecy and Jesus' identity? How does this knowledge empower us as believers who are on this side of Jesus' resurrection?

Transcript:

I believe that one of the more difficult things to understand in the life of Jesus is what we have read today, the Mount of Transfiguration. What is this all about? What's going on? Well, I think the way that we have been going through Mark really helps us to understand what's happening here. What have we been seeing throughout the entire Book of Mark so far? This Messianic Secret, this idea that Jesus is veiling the truth, even from his disciples, not just from the people that are out seeing him, but even his disciples don't fully understand who he is. Well, here at this point in the ministry of Jesus, they go up a mountain and suddenly Jesus is transfigured. He is glowing white. He is radiant. And so the idea, I think, that best helps us to understand this is that Jesus, his glory has been veiled. But here in the transfiguration, the mask is removed and the disciples are able to see a glimpse of the Majesty and the holiness and the greatness of who Jesus is. It's like a confirmation for his disciples if they've been wondering, remember, Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ, and then he didn't understand that he would have to suffer and die.

We've been seeing all these different things where the disciples don't really understand. But here they are given the absolute proof that he is who he claims to be, and he is the Messiah that they have been expecting. Well, there's parts of the story that are interesting because we have Elijah and Moses show up. They're talking with Jesus. Peter doesn't know what to say, so he does this awkward thing like maybe you or I would do. Yeah, should I make tents for these people? And it says here that they don't know what to say because they're terrified, just like you and I would be. Well, we then see that a cloud overshadows them, and we hear this voice. This is my beloved son, listen to him. They understand now that they need to listen to Jesus. They have been listening to him, but they understand the divine authority that he has. And so then we see in verse 9 and in verse 10, that this messianic secret is to continue. This isn't to be talked about just yet. It's to continue to be a secret because Jesus tells them that they can't tell anyone. But then here we have this stipulation, Until the son of man has risen from the dead.

And it says here that they kept this all to themselves, but they were questioning what his rising from the dead would mean. Now we know what it means. We understand this. We're not that far removed from Easter, right? But imagine being someone who has no concept of the resurrection. Imagine being someone who doesn't know that this has happened. You would probably be wondering what Jesus means too, right? And so they have these questions, they don't understand. Even though they have seen Jesus and His glory, they still don't get it fully. When the Spirit comes at Pentecost, they will get it fully. But as of now, they do not fully understand. And as this closes up, we want to take a look here and understand these questions that the disciples are asking. There was this idea, this prophecy that Elijah has to come first, and they don't remember seeing Elijah. So, what does this mean? Now they remember seeing him on the Mount transfiguration, but not coming before Jesus. And Jesus here says that he tells them that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him. And we understand this that this is pointing to John the Baptist, that John the Baptist was the prophet who came and proclaimed and prepared the way for the Messiah.

And that's what Jesus is saying here. And so, as we think about what this passage means for us, I think it's so important that we understand that we know who Jesus is. Why? Because we are on this side of his resurrection. The disciples didn't understand who Jesus was fully. They didn't understand what he was going to do. Why? Because they hadn't seen it come in its fullness yet. But we know that the glory of God is fully shown in what he did to save his people in his death and resurrection. And we know that truth now. And so we're again, I've said this several times, we're not to keep this secret. We're to tell this story. We're not being charged to tell no one. We are being charged to tell everyone and to raise our children in this truth. And so may we step out today proclaiming this truth. May we step out believing it and understanding that we are so blessed to fully understand the glory of who Jesus is, because he has saved us by his miraculous and awesome grace.