The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ – Mark 9
Could it be possible the Heavenly Father allowed this transfiguration to encourage the Lord Jesus? It seemed that shortly thereafter he was very focused on what was coming up. He told his disciples point blank what would happen. He told them he would be betrayed and killed and rise again the third day. They did not understand what the Lord Jesus said and were afraid to ask.
The Lord Jesus cast another demon out of a boy. The boy's father admitted his doubts to the Lord Jesus, but then said, "I believe, help my unbelief!" How much like myself! I can relate to this guy.
The disciples caught somebody attempting to drive out demons. He was not within the inner circle of the disciples so they tried to stop him.
The Lord Jesus told his disciples if someone did something positive in his name then they couldn't turn around and say something critical of the Lord Jesus. He said "whoever is for us cannot be against us". I wonder how I can be apply that in my life?
The Lord Jesus warned his disciples about the dangers of hellfire and the consequences for offending one of the little ones. Perhaps the little ones were new disciples or baby Christians?
Mark 9:2-3, "And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them."
The Lord Jesus took certain disciples with him into a high mountain. Peter, James, and John went with him, and the Lord Jesus was transfigured. What does "transfigured" mean?
The Lord Jesus was changed. He was transformed. His appearance revealed the kingdom of God to the disciples. He said earlier that some would see the kingdom of God. This transfiguration was in some way a revelation of the kingdom of God.
He was described as wearing clothes which were whiter than anyone on earth could make them. No bleach could make his clothes that white. It was a purity and a holiness this earth cannot reproduce.
Why did the Lord allow the disciples to see him like this? They also heard the voice of Father God which said that the Lord Jesus was his son in whom he was well pleased. His command was to hear what Jesus spoke. We were commanded to listen to the voice of the Lord Jesus.
Peter later reflected back on this experience in his epistle.
2 Peter 1:16-18, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount."
One important idea we can take from the transfiguration of the Lord Jesus is the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is God the Son. This is a fact about the Lord Jesus which is attacked by the enemy but it is the fact which sets the Lord Jesus apart from everyone else. He is the Son of God. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to God except through the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 14:6) He is the express image of God. He is the revelation of God. Jesus Christ is God.
Colossians 1:15-19, "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;"
Colossians 2:9, "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
God is three in one. He is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
