I’ve been thinking a lot about Christ’s mountain miracle recently. It is likely the greatest miracle He did to this point. The time for Jesus to go to the cross was getting closer. Mark 9:1-13 (Also mentioned in Matthew 16 and Luke 9) says He took three of this disciples up on a tall mountain to pray.
There Peter, James, and John fell asleep as usual. Suddenly they woke to see Jesus transfigured before them. He was glowing with the glory of God in a miraculous way as he spoke with Moses and Elijah. Bible scholars say the glow Jesus had was a white hot brilliance as if it came from within rather than from the outside. This seems to be a brief picture of what Heaven is like. The disciples needed to see this because they were really confused about Jesus saying He would die; it didn’t fit their plan.
Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament. They had lived more than a millennium before and were there discussing with Jesus about His coming resurrection. God even spoke telling the stunned disciples to “listen” to Jesus.
A main purpose of this event was to help the disciples mature. They needed to see Christ had to die for our sin so those who believe could be forgiven and saved. They had a long way to grow as the prophecies and lessons of the Old Testament represented by Moses and Elijah, eventually made sense. Then after our Lord’s resurrection they were willing to die also as they matured and spread the message of the Gospel.
The disciples had been with Jesus for most of three years. But even at this late date they were not very mature to the point that both Jesus and God himself had to rebuke Peter the leader (cf. Mark 8:33; 9:7). This also pictures us as we stumble along spiritually. When a person truly comes to salvation by faith alone in Christ there is a Holy Spirit transformation internally. But often we can get confused about what steps God desires for us to take. We are like Peter and need to be challenged to “listen to Jesus” and go the next step.
Recently we visited the church our son Ezra attends in Texas. I happened to note the little Connect Card about a Spiritual Growth Track that was given us; I liked what they said on this card. Look at it and ask yourself where you are regarding your own spiritual growth. Are you at level 1, or 6 or somewhere in between. Or maybe Salvation is something you don’t understand yet. In any case let us know if we can be of help to your growth…that is what our pastors and deacons are here for. Let’s connect.
You can hear my full message on Mark 9 (Miracle on the Mountain) on our Livestream for Sunday 11/26/2020. Or jus click below.
Men, be sure to join us for Men and Boy’s Discipleship and our new study through Philippians. Join us this Saturday 12/5/2020 at 8 am at Harborview Fellowship while our new facility is under construction. Coffee and light breakfast snacks provided.
Pastor Mark