Following Christ
Text: Mark 9:1-13 | February 2, 2020
The transfiguration was one of the greatest miracles recorded in the Scriptures. The disciples struggled to understand why Jesus, the Messiah, needed to suffer, be rejected, and killed (8:31). In their minds, the Messiah would overthrow Roman rule and establish an earthly kingdom. Knowing how hard it was for the disciples to accept His suffering and death, Jesus transfigured Himself before three disciples (Peter, James, and John) and showed them His glory (9:2).
Before the transfiguration, the disciples believed Jesus in the works He did and in His teachings. They believed that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God (8:29; Matt. 16:6). But they only saw Him as a Man. In the transfiguration, their faith became sight. They believed Jesus to be God, and now they saw His glory with their own eyes. It is important to note that only Jesus’ appearance changed in the transfiguration; His nature never changed. He was always divine, always God, but His glory was veiled. In the transfiguration, He unveiled His glory.
The lesson is that the glory of heaven will come, but first comes the suffering. We, as Christians, follow the same pattern. The glory of heaven will come, but like our Master, we must first suffer (Acts 14:22; Romans 8:17). The Messiah will come again, and in His second coming, He will establish a kingdom.
For the entirety of the lesson, please see the attached manuscript of the message.
Reflection:
- Christ’s suffering was not random. God is sovereign, and the suffering of Christ was prophesied long before Christ came. Read Isaiah 53 and Zechariah 12:10.
- Acts 14:22 says, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Romans 8:17 says, “If indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” We expect suffering as Christians; however, we must suffer for doing what is right and not what is wrong (1 Peter 3:17). Read 1 Peter 2:20; 1 Peter 4:15; and Matthew 5:11.