SCRIPTURE: Mark 9:1-13
OBSERVATION:
Peter, James and John see the “kingdom of God come with power” (v.1), the brief unveiling of God’s appointed King. Peter describes this (2 Peter 1:16-18) as “majestic glory”.
God doesn’t give Jesus glory at this moment, God pulls back the “cover” to show the actual glory that Jesus has. Though veiled from human eyes while on earth, Jesus was full of the glory of God, yet He kept it hidden (John 1:14).
Elijah and Moses were the greatest old covenant prophets, yet they are still less than Jesus. Their task was to prepare the way for Jesus. Peter may be suggesting by his comments that he thought Jesus and Elijah and Moses were equals, each deserving their own “shelter”.
It was prophecied that Elijah would return (Malachi 4:5-6). John the Baptist was the “Elijah” that was prophecied (Luke 1:11-17). Jesus says that even the least important new covenant believers are still greater than the greatest old covenant prophets (Matthew 11:7-15).
Jesus is being confirmed as God’s promised Messiah, greater than even Moses and Elijah.
Peter thought that Moses and Elijah were actually there, that each one should have a “shelter” (a tabernacle, a tent of worship?). Its not clear why Peter suggested this, but it is clear that it was nonsense prompted by fear.
APPLICATION:
Jesus is the King of the Universe, and I am His servant, and that makes me great, greater than Moses and Elijah and John the Baptist. Wow, this is hard to accept. Is it possible that we have believed Satan’s lie that we are nothing instead of believing Jesus’ promise that He would do greater things in and through us (John 14:12)?
My task is also to prepare the way for Jesus. Like John the Baptist, I need to adopt the motto, “He must become greater; I must become less!” (John 3:30).
If Jesus is the King of the Universe, my job is not to defend Him but to declare Him. God will empower my words by His Holy Spirit to either open or close the hearts of those who hear the message.
I think many of us are like Peter, we just don’t get it.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to witness to You as boldly as I can, trusting that You will reveal Your majestic glory through my testimony. I am nothing compared to You, but thank You for granting me the high privilege of being Your witnesses! Amen.