Devo: Mark 9:2-13

Jesus took three of His disciples, Peter, James, and John and led them to a high mountain.

“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.” V. 2

According to Oxford English Dictionary, the word “transfigure” means “to alter the figure or appearance of; to change in outward appearance; to transform.”

“His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.” V. 3

Before the transfiguration of Jesus, He told His disciples that He must suffer many things.

“And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” Mark 8:31

Jesus’ disciples were probably disheartened after hearing those words. Peter even rebuked Jesus for what He said. However, Jesus rebuked him as well for what he said. Witnessing Jesus’ transfiguration helped His disciples realize that Jesus, being the Son of God, is sovereign. Though He mentioned about the sufferings that He had to experience, He was still in control.

I love what I read from enduringword.com:

“Jesus also dramatically showed that cross bearers would be glory receivers. The goal isn’t the cross. The cross is the path to the goal, and the goal is the glory of God.”

Sometimes we forget that there is an end to our sufferings. We become so focused on the pain that we forget that God allows it for a purpose and that we should focus our gaze on Jesus.

“And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.” V. 4

When I read this, my thought was, Moses didn’t make it to the Promised Land but he made it to heaven. Moses died and was buried while Elijah was caught up to heaven. It’s an assurance for us who believe that there is life after death. It also shows us that those who believe in God will end up in heaven, like Moses and Elijah.

“It gave them confidence in Jesus’ claim to resurrection.” enduringword.com