Mark 9: 1-29
I'm not surprised Peter didn't quite know what to say.
Today's reading contains one of those moments in scripture where we're given a brief glimpse into the supernatural realm, and as always, it's a bit mind-blowing. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain, and then something happens that leaves the three disciples terrified, and Peter at a loss for words. Scripture tells us that Jesus' appearance was transformed somehow, and his clothes became whiter than anything you'd see in a detergent commercial. If that wasn't enough to spook the disciples, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. This is when Peter starts babbling about building shelters.
So many questions come to mind. Jesus' appearance was transformed, but was it more than just his clothes that changed? Did he look different? Why were Moses and Elijah there? How did they get there? Did they look all ghostly, or did they look like solid flesh and blood? And though scripture tells us what Peter said, what I really want to know is what Jesus, Moses, and Elijah talked about. But either Peter, James, and John couldn't hear the conversation, or they were too overwhelmed by what they saw to bother eavesdropping.
When we read about these strange and miraculous things, we're often left with more questions than answers. It can be very easy to get caught up in the questions; to try to explain things that quite possibly can't be explained in limited human terms.
All we know is that the voice from the cloud said "This is my dearly-loved Son. Listen to him." For these questions -- for all our questions -- that's all the answer we really need.
Drew Clausen
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3 comments:
Thanks, Drew for a helpful reminder. Well said!
Good job Drew. As I read these passages, it was like witnessing spiritual warfare. The high moment in the transformation of Christ as he inexplicably meets up with Moses and Elijah. It was a wow moment. But, as they come down from the mountain, what do they find? Of course, religious leaders arguing. I love it when the evil spirit in the possed boy recognizes Jesus. Jesus casts it out of the boy and goes on as if it is all in a days work. Contrast the wonder that they saw and we see in this action, while Jesus is perplexed at the doubt and disbelief in those around him.
OOPS I meant possessed not possed-- No spell check on this.
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