Mark 9:9-13

The disciples' world was already rocked. Jesus had told them that on a "rock" of converted pagans and unbelievers, the kingdom would be established. Peter, on behalf of the disciples, confessed that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. Then Peter tried to upbraid Jesus over saying that he was going to be rejected, suffer, die, and come back to life. Jesus turned this around on Peter, essentially, calling Satan himself out for planting such thoughts. The ways of Jesus trump the ways and feelings of humans. His path is the only path to true life and finding our true selves.

On the mountain, Jesus confirmed in an astounding way who Peter had confessed him to be. He was God-in-the-flesh. He was the spotless lamb of God. He was everything Peter confessed him to be, and on the mountaintop he showed himself to be the one and the same power that was there at creation, in the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night, the same one who gave the law to Moses, the "LORD... the compassionate and gracious God," abounding in love and mercy and forgiveness.

Coming down from that mountain, I find it interesting that Jesus was speaking specifically to Peter, James, and John. Those were the only eyewitnesses to Jesus' transfiguration. They were not to tell about it until Jesus had risen from the dead. I wonder why not? Why not talk to the other disciples about it? Would they not have benefited in much the same way as these three?

I know that these three had a very special relationship with Jesus. These guys were "all-in." I think that Jesus loved that about them. But among the disciples was one who would betray Jesus to the very fates that he was talking about. I think that there must have been some who had to come to conclusions about Jesus' identity differently than the three on the mountain. I wonder if they couldn't have handled seeing Jesus in that light, much like the Israelites couldn't stand looking at Moses when he came off the mountain. At any rate, Jesus knew who needed to see this. After having seen that transfiguration, I can't imagine how confusing it must have been to see Jesus on a cross.

As far as rising from the dead, I wonder why that didn't clear up just at seeing Moses there that day, a man who died but was standing there in front of them on the top of that mountain. It seems like that might have answered that question. Just as Moses died but was risen up and taken to heaven, Jesus would be put to death as well and rise again three days later. Yet they were still not clear on what he meant. After witnessing the transfiguration, it would be hard to believe that Jesus was going to be put to death. If you can't fathom the Son of Man being put to death, it would be hard to fathom his rising from death. But Jesus had discussed this with them already. The disciples were struggling with a human idea of success that didn't include such things as death. The path of Jesus was to be preferred, however, for it lead to real living, their truest selves.

So, in verse 11, it's like the disciples are saying, "OK, next subject... we don't get this rising from death stuff... so what about Elijah?" Well, they had just seen him. So the question about Elijah coming first would have been a little confusing now.

Jesus actually directly addresses the question with these three. No parables here. The Elijah part--the teachers got the idea right on that (but not the identity). Interesting... that seems to happen a lot with the establishment. Right idea, wrong identity (and wrong ways of identifying--human ways as opposed to the ways and paths of God).

Elijah will come first and make everything as it should be for the coming of the Son of Man. The Elijah part, however, isn't the biggest part of the picture. The teachers are missing that. They are missing his identity and purpose. Jesus redirects them back to the Son of Man. Why would the Scriptures say that the Son of Man will be rejected and suffer? In light of what they had just witnessed, that should have been the disciples number one question. It should have been the considered by the establishment too. What the teachers keep teaching has already happened, and they pretty much treated him like garbage (look at what happened to John the Baptist). The Scriptures said that would happen, and it happened to the first Elijah too (the guy they just saw on the mountain). Let's move on. Think about what the Scriptures are saying about the Son of Man! Keep your mind on that! Did the voice not say, "Listen to him"?

Seems like good advice. There's a lot of things we can think about. There's a lot of questions we could ask. But what's the biggest picture of all, the ultimate question to be asking? Is it "What does the Bible say about the state of the dead... the mark of the beast... the right and wrong things to do on a specific day of the week?" Or is it "Who is Jesus? What do the Scriptures say about Him? What is He teaching me? What is His path?"

If Jesus is really all, I truly believe everything else will fall into place. Elijah will be understood, and so will anything that is taught about rising from death. There's actually more of that to come one day!

Father, no matter what the subject, no matter what the text, no matter what the discussion... keep my eyes on Jesus today. Take away my faulty and erroneous ideas and perceptions and replace them with the wisdom and sight of Jesus. Reveal yourself to me today. Fill me, Holy Spirit! Transform me, Jesus! Walk with me, Father! Fling laboring harvesters into Your harvest field... begin with me!