SCRIPTURE: Mark 9:2-8
I’ve always assumed that this story was the divine nature of Jesus peaking out momentarily.
But now I wonder if this is God’s way of showing the glory of the human Jesus as an obedient son.
This is the glory that we all contain, as God’s children, when we live in the likeness of God.
Moses reflected this glory on Mount Sinai, and Elijah was carried away in flames of glory.
We are not like Moses. He used to cover his face with a veil. That was to keep the people of Israel from looking at his face while the brightness was fading away… But when anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Holy Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, freedom is also there. Our faces are not covered with a veil. We all display the Lord’s glory. We are being changed to become more like him so that we have more and more glory. And the glory comes from the Lord, who is the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:13,16-18)
Did you catch that… those who join with Jesus reflect God’s glory, and that glory will keep increasing.
In Christ, by the Spirit, we become the children that God loves, that He urges the world to listen to.
This is how God sees us, this is what God is doing in us: Jesus shows what God’s children are like, how the world will experience humans in God’s likeness.
This is what creation is groaning for, waiting for, when the children of God are unveiled in all their glory.
What we are suffering now is nothing compared with the glory that will be shown in us. Everything God created looks forward to the time when his children will appear in their full and final glory. (Romans 8:18-19)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I’ve always sensed that You reveal God to us. Help me to appreciate better how You reveal ourselves to us. You are who we were made to be, You are who we are being restored to be. Help me to shine with God’s glory, like You did!
Observations/Application
Jesus in His glory – and the witnesses experienced the glory of the Son of God. The question of who He was certainly had been answered – not only visually but also audibly – ‘This is my Son. Listen to Him!’ Who am I? My Lord and my God!
God’s presence was shown when Jesus was baptized and once again here. Those who are in Christ Jesus will also shine like He did. Moses reflected His glory after being in the presence of God. Elijah was taken up in glory. And there were others such as Stephen . . . and you and me . . . we all will be transformed and serve the living King in glory . . . continue to live for Jesus and walk in the hope of that glory and power and might and assurance and . . .
Prayer
Lord the apostles wrote of this experience after the fact and the hope and strength they received in doing their daily work. Strengthen me each day anew and help me always to see Your presence.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.