Like most people my life can be much like a roller coaster. I can be at the top of a hill on moment and plummeting at neck braking speeds down a hill the next, followed by an endless series of twists, turns, loops, and corkscrews that can leave us dizzy and disoriented. This is life.
As we continue our study of the Good News in the book of Mark, I want to draw your attention to Mark 9:2-13. This event in the life of Jesus is commonly known as the transfiguration, but to me there is a beautiful message in this event that we pastors often overlook.
This event transpires like this: Jesus takes His inner circle of disciples (Peter, James and John) up a mountain with Him. While up on this mountain Jesus reveals His glory by being transfigured. Then while they are watching, two of the great OT saints (Moses and Elijah) show up to talk with Jesus. I can't imagine what it would have been like at that moment, but the disciples are obviously overwhelmed and caught up in the moment. This is the moment of a life time.
At this moment Peter, caught up in the excitement of the moment says to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (vs. 6 tells us, "(He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)"
Now lets step back for a second and examine what just happened.
The Son of Man has just exposed His glory as the one and only Son of God and great saints of old show up and Peter is ready to worship all three of them. Yes that is what it means by let us put up three shelters. This word for shelter is the word "Tabernacle" which is the tent that the Hebrew people used to worship God before the Temple was built.
We must understand that in Jewish faith there where no figures greater that Moses and Elijah. This type of worship is very common among people today. (If you don't believe me look at what happened when little girls found out Justin Bieber shared that he had a girl friend)
As if this moment isn't amazing enough. As soon as Peter says that they can build three shelters a cloud covers the whole area and God the Father speaks, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
The Bible then tells us that when they looked around they saw no one but Jesus!
The Good News:
Many times, like Peter, we get so caught up with the events going on around us that we lose sight of what is important. When we do we begin to divide our focus and we don't focus on what is truly important. As I read this passage I am filled with a since of peace by seeing God's gentle and loving rebuke to His disciples. He doesn't scold them or strike them down when they lose focus. He simple states, "This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him."
Focus! Look to Jesus alone! There is no one else!
May you remain focused on Jesus no matter what is going on around you. Whether you are sitting on the mountain top or walking in the Valley of the Shadow of Death may your eyes remain on the one and only Son of God who can and will see you through. May we always pay attention to the gentle rebuke to "Listen to Him!"
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