PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 9:1-8
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The kingdom of God has come with power.” (Mark 9:1)
The disciples were eager to see the kingdom of God come with power.
This is why Peter was so adamant that Jesus the Messiah would not die.
But Jesus challenges the way they think about the kingdom of God.
It is not military or political power but God-like goodness overcoming evil.
What the disciples saw here was not the divine nature of Jesus peeking out.
It was the human nature of Adam and Eve before sin, glowing with God’s smile.
The kingdom of God is this world under God-like humans, shining with God’s love.
Jesus’ life of loving God and others is the fulfillment of the Law.
To be like God, this is the power of God’s kingdom at work.
Jesus has defeated Satan with humble, God-like love.
He has rescued us through humble, God-like love.
And He has restored us for humble, God-like love.
The kingdom of God is still coming with power, when we join Jesus in love.
We too will shine with God’s glory and favour when we offer ourselves in love.
PRAYER
Lord, help me not only to see You in Your glory here, but help me also to see myself in this glory, as I shine with God’s love in a sin-messed, selfish world.
Lord so often I am bewildered by your radiance but still I deny you and fall short. Lord help me offer to build tents when I just don’t know what to do or say.
Maybe we are so ‘earthly minded’ that we are not ‘heavenly minded’? We can get so caught up in the here and now and forget whose we are. Peter and John got to see Jesus transfigured – to get a glimpse of his glory – yet they and Jesus had to get back to earth and go down the mountain. We too need mountain top experiences to encourage us – so that we are ‘early good’ – fruitful in God’s kingdom all around us. Help me Lord to seize the opportunities around me – encourage me to bear witness to the hope I have in you!
And the glory of the Lord God shines – like it did when Moses was in His presence. The three disciples were witnesses of His glory. Listen to Him is the call also to me this day. I am always in His presence. Open my eyes Lord so I may see You in our messed up world this day.
Lord the light of Your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth You now bring us
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your Word, Lord And let there be light
Lord, I come into Your awesome presence
From the shadows into Your radiance
By the blood I may enter Your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me
Shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your Word, Lord And let there be light
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your Word, Lord And let there be light