Key Thought

Jesus appears here with two groups of "friends." Group one is made up of Jesus' inner circle of three followers -- Peter, James, and John. The other is made up of two great figures from Israel's past, Moses and Elijah. Jesus' dazzling white clothing is a powerful symbol of his heavenly origin and superiority. For Jesus to be classified with Moses and Elijah, to be friends and in conversation with them, is incredible to his three followers. Little do they realize that God will elevate Jesus to a status above these great teachers, leaders, and prophets. Of particular interest to me, Jesus doesn't have all his followers with him -- not even all the 12 apostles participate in this moment. Jesus shared in relationships at all different levels of closeness. However, not everyone was invited into every moment. He invested heavily in 12 apostles and even more heavily in his "inner 3" who would each impact the early church in powerful ways. We can't change everyone. We can't change the world alone. We can impact a few, who in turn can impact a few more. Before long, our influence reaches way beyond ourselves. So with whom are you investing your life and to whom are you passing on your faith?

Today's Prayer

Today's Verses in Context

Then Jesus said, "I tell you the truth. Some of you people standing here will see the kingdom of God come before you die. The kingdom of God will come with power." Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John and went up on a high mountain. They were all alone there. While these followers watched him, Jesus was changed. Jesus' clothes became shining white. The clothes were whiter than any person could make them. Then two men were there, talking with Jesus. The men were Elijah and Moses. Peter said to Jesus, "Teacher, it is good that we are here. We will put three tents here--one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Peter did not know what to say, because he and the other two followers were very afraid. Then a cloud came and covered them. A voice came from the cloud and said, "This (Jesus) is my Son and I love him. Obey him!" Then Peter, James, and John looked, but they saw only Jesus there alone with them. Jesus and the followers were walking back down the mountain. Jesus commanded the followers, "Don't tell any person about the things you saw on the mountain. Wait until after the Son of Man rises from death. Then you can tell people what you saw." So the followers obeyed Jesus and said nothing about what they saw. But they discussed what Jesus meant about rising from death. The followers asked Jesus, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" Jesus answered, "They are right to say that Elijah must come first. Elijah makes all things the way they should be. But why does the Scripture say that the Son of Man will suffer much and that people will think he is worth nothing? I tell you that Elijah has already come. And people did to him all the {bad} things they wanted to do. The Scriptures said this would happen to him."

— Mark 9:1-13 (ERV)

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