Mark 9:1-13

Mark 9:1-13

The Transfiguration was more of a “return-figuration”; Jesus was returning to His pre-Bethlehem glory. But Mark is not going to coin words for this one occasion. It may be that the transfiguration is the fulfillment of the prophecy of verse 1 (the other possibilities are the resurrection or the day of Pentecost). Peter wanted to build dwelling Places. The glory of God during the Exodus era descended onto the tabernacle and this may have been Peter’s inspiration. To be fair to Peter, he was operating in and around that which he had never experienced, he was in a place where he had never been nor could have ever imagined. 

God the Father's two-part comment is the focus of this event. The first is, “My beloved Son,” or we might say, “My boy that I love and delight in.” We need to focus our attention for a moment on the love within the Trinity. Like most aspects of God it boggles our mind, but there is an affectionate love within and between the three persons of the Godhead. Understanding this is foundational for our Christian faith. The second part of God's comment is “listen to Him” or “give constant heed”; not a momentary or occasional attention but unrestricted, never-ending focus.

It is interesting how the apostles fail to take Jesus literally regarding His statements concerning his own resurrection. This can only be attributed to their lack of faith. This was no passing thought, verse 10 indicates by the phrase “they seized” that they kept to themselves but in an ongoing conversation. The three of them kept discussing this statement about the resurrection.

They were also confused because there were hung up on the coming of Elijah. They expected the literal Elijah to precede the Messiah. The Messiah was here and they had not had a literal Elijah. Jesus shifts the focus from who Elijah was to the response of the people. The rejection of the Elijah character, John the Baptist, indicates the rejection of God and His Messiah. The Lord shows us that obedience and submission are more important than splitting the fine hairs of eschatology.

"Lord, help me to give constant attention to Jesus. AMEN"