On February 12, 2018, the officially commissioned portraits of former President Obama and First Lady Michele were unveiled at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. The portraits now hang in the Smithsonian-operated Museum, where a complete collection of previous presidential portraits also hangs.
Imagine the anticipation in the room as two large portraits, shrouded in black cloth, stand at the front. A crowd of dignitaries, their eyes fixed on the platform, awaits the moment. After a brief speech by the master of ceremonies, the cloth is pulled away from the portraits, revealing the paintings to the public for the first time. The subjects of the portraits are then invited to address the attendees, adding a personal touch to the unveiling. This personal touch, this connection, is what we will experience as we delve into the unveiling of Christ. It’s not just a distant event but a moment that invites us to be part of it, to feel the connection with Christ.
Commemorative plaques in churches and other public buildings are often unveiled similarly. Sometimes, when a new business is opened, the Grand Opening includes unveiling the company logo or signage.
Unveilings are more than just a modern tradition. They have a deep-rooted significance in the Scriptures. God unveiled His glory to Moses on Mount Sinai and Elijah on Mount Horeb. Jacob experienced an “unveiling” when he discovered that the wife he thought was Rachel was her sister, Leah. However, perhaps the most dramatic biblical unveiling was the rending of the Temple veil at Jesus’ death, a moment that changed the course of history.
Our text for today, Mark 9:1-8, records a scene I’ve titled “The Unveiled Christ.” In this moment, the curtain of mystery was briefly drawn aside, revealing Christ in all His glory. Like a fleeting glimpse of a shooting star, this transformative unveiling left an indelible mark on the disciples and continues to inspire us as His disciples now.
This unveiling was not just a moment in history but a catalyst for transformation, inspiring us to follow in the footsteps of the unveiled Christ. We will explore the profound impact this brief unveiling had on Jesus’ disciples then and us as His disciples now and how it can inspire and transform us today, igniting a fire of faith and devotion within us. The power of this unveiling is not just in the past, but it continues to inspire and transform us, igniting a fire of faith and devotion within us.
It is crucial that you, as His disciple, follow along and listen carefully as I read the Holy Scripture, Mark 9:1-8. Your understanding and engagement with the text are not just important; they are critical to our collective learning and growth. Your insights and reflections are integral to our journey.
In this text, we see several PARTICULARS related to the unveiling of Christ. Observe them with me; each detail holds significant meaning and contributes to our understanding of this pivotal event.
The First PARTICULAR is,
His Announcement
If we go back to the final verses of Mark chapter eight, we find these words: “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the...
