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, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.

Mark 9:1-13

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, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. Mark 9:2-3

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 9:1-13.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction to the entirety of the text and for the first (of three) division (vv1-4):

• The title the entirety of the text (vv1-13) is "A Glimpse of Glory: The Transfiguration of Jesus," and the main idea is "The transfiguration reveals the glorious true identity and deity of Jesus Christ."
• "Although He is not the kind of Messiah Savior the nation of Israel was expecting, He is exactly the Messiah Savior they needed. He looks defeated, but He is actually victorious. He dies and is buried by men, but He will be raised and exalted by God. He looks like a regular dude, but in actuality He is deity!"  
• "The transfiguration is something of “a preview of coming attractions.” It follows Peter’s great confession (Mark 8:27-30), Jesus’ prediction of His death (8:31-33), His call to radical discipleship (8:34-38), and His promise that some standing with Him will see the kingdom (9:1). These events are related."  
• "What happened to Moses in the early stages of redemptive history prefigured a greater Moses, a greater exodus, and a greater salvation. Note the following comparison table (adapted from Garland, Mark, 342)[.]"

 

 

• "A new and greater Moses has arrived, the long-awaited prophet He had promised (Deuteronomy 18:15-20). Yes, Jesus is God’s eschatological prophet. He is also God’s much-loved Son." 
• For the first division, the title is: "Look at the Glory of the Son of God."
• We are exhorted to see how v1 offers great encouragement as Jesus refers to the Transfiguration and later His resurrection as a preview of the full "kingdom of God after it has come with power."  The commentary points to Psalm 104:1 and shares that the Transfiguration represents how via "a brief moment our Lord’s true identity is allowed to shine forth in all its glory. Here is the Christ they will see when He triumphantly comes the second time, to establish His universal kingdom (Revelation 19:11-16)." 
• For a more full understanding of the Transfiguration the commentary refers us to Luke 9:31 where the text shares how Jesus is talking with Moses and Elijah and Jesus talks with them about His death - His pending crucifixion at Jerusalem and how "Jesus would lead the people of God out of the bondage of sin in a new exodus through His death (a new Passover) and resurrection, and He would constitute a new people called the church." 
• We are also referred to Malachi 4:4-6 as the commentary shares: "[w]ith their appearing, the Law and Prophets are signaled as being fulfilled in the coming of Messiah who has brought the kingdom of God near (cf. Mark 1:15). This is not Mount Sinai all over again. No, this is a gospel mountain, not a law mountain. Here the law of God and the grace of God converge in the One who is God incarnate and the fulfillment of all the Old Testament promised. Look at Him and believe His gospel."

Thank You God for the richness of Your Word and for resources such as this commentary for me to better understand important Biblical moments such as the Transfiguration and how the Old Testament and New Testament are connected into a single redemptive Truth that all points to Jesus!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves me and who blessed me with Your Word so that I can know and deepen my love and desire for You.  You saved me while I was still an enemy and hostile to You.  Thank You Jesus.  You continue to bless me richly and I am so not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Luke 9, 22, Matthew 26, and John 21

But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "Peter: Gospel of the Second Chance*".

*Title of lesson nine from the Max Lucado study.

Max Lucado's commentary* for day three of Peter's story focuses on the Transfiguration and then on Peter's actions when Jesus appeared to the disciples for the third time after His resurrection. At the Transfiguration, Lucado points out Peter's impulsiveness when he offers three shelters to Jesus, Moses and Elijah (Luke 9:33); the text includes how "[Peter] did not know what he was saying" and Lucado indicates that Peter's impulsiveness stems from how we are not to equate any others with God...dangerous indeed.  We are then encouraged to try and better understand the role of the Transfiguration.  We know that in Matthew 16:18 Jesus tells Peter that He will build His church upon Peters efforts and those of the other apostles (see also Ephesians 2:20).  This post on DesiringGod.com describes how the Transfiguration was a foretaste of both the resurrection and how all believers will "be like Him for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2).  Jesus is equipping Peter.

With Peter's actions after the resurrection (John 21), Lucado points out how believers in general are prone to fall back into their "old selves" and patterns of behavior.  Peter goes fishing, even though he previously left this life to follow Jesus (see Luke 5:11).  Lucado wants us to see how God is full of grace and He restores us when we fall - He restored Peter and He does for us.  We are encouraged to get back in the game when we stumble.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who restores me time and time again when I stumble and fall.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You are so full of grace and compassion.  My sin continues - including worry and other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.