After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what "rising from the dead" meant. And they asked him, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him." -Mark 9:2-13*
Transfiguring moments...
As we grow in Christ, we all experience special times with our Lord - sacred moments in which He reveals Himself to us in new and even amazing ways. These times don't come because we are ready or deserving, but in spite of our unworthiness. He reveals Himself to us because He loves us deeply, passionately, and desires that we share an ever deepening relationship with Him. Staying where we are is simply not part of His plan of us.
The change He seeks is from within. Our transformation into His likeness begins as He ignites a burning, passionate love for Himself and others. His love transforms our hearts and minds, empties us of all we thought we had to lose, and leaves behind the purity of His calling. Like Peter, not always in tune with our Lord's purposes, we may experience sacred moments with our Lord and miss the point, thereby rushing to do our own thing without listening for the Lord's directions. Some even withdraw and remain in blissful laziness - never getting to the important work of the Lord. How is God revealing Himself anew to you? How will you respond?
Chris Burchett chairs the Staff Parish Relations Committee, teaches youth Sunday School and leads an adult Small Group. He also sings as part of the Praise Team.
How has Jesus made a difference in your life? "God helped me make friends." -Gabrielle Alonzo, 3rd grade
*Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
