Turning a Catalyst into a Monument

Jesus allowed some of His disciples to experience His transfiguration, but it caused them to turn what should have been a catalyst into a monument.  Instead of getting a simple glimpse of His temporal glory, Jesus has made a way for us to behold His eternal glory.

Mark 9:2-13

² And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, ³ and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. ⁴ And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. ⁵ And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁶ For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. ⁷ And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” ⁸ And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

⁹ And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰ So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. ¹¹ And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” ¹² And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? ¹³ But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

Look at Jesus (Mark 9:2-6)
• A metamorphosis is a radical change from one state of being to another.
• Jesus’ transfiguration was a preview of the eternal glory that we are invited to participate in.
Listen to Jesus (Mark 9:7-8)
• Following Jesus is more than simply hearing his words; it is listening to them.
• Jesus’ transfiguration confirms his identity and reveals our future reality.
Move with Jesus (Mark 9:9-13)
• Gospel mission is impossible if we want to stay where we are.
• If we’re mostly concerned about our experiences, we’re missing the point of the gospel.
• The transfiguration of Jesus should result in a transformation of our lives.