Mark 9:1-10

Mark 9:1-10 And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

In the above passage, we see Jesus transfigured for these disciples' sake. These disciples would need this memory of the transfiguration to help them through a very difficult and confusing period: when Jesus is seemingly helpless in the hands of malcontents and subsequently crucified by the Romans. In that period of time they would see Jesus powerless and very much human. They would not see him as the miracle worker, the healer. They would not see him as the man who could frighten the demons of hell. They would see him as a man controlled by circumstances, not one who controls circumstances. Jesus knew the leaders of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, needed to see his divinity. They needed to see beyond this human figure, Jesus, the one who ate with them, slept with them, experienced life with them. They needed to see God glorify Jesus. Their experience on the mountain of transfiguration gave them this hope that Jesus was truly divine. Surely, if they would hold the course, his words would be implemented that they would not taste death before the kingdom of God came with power. Jesus knew they would flee for their own safety when things got really rough, but He also knew this experience on the mountain of transfiguration would also be in their minds. This experience would help these leaders of his followers through some very difficult times of doubt.

As with all of us, when we experience rough or challenging times, when life doesn't make sense, we need inspirational experiences that we can look back upon. Many times it is our salvation experience. Sometimes it is happenings that defy the law of probability. But as Christians, we are always comforted or reassured by the Holy Spirit who abides within us. Jesus came to baptize us with the Holy Spirit and power. These disciples in the above passage had only their memories to keep them steady in their faith. We have the Holy Spirit within us to keep us steady. After the Spirit came upon them at the day of Pentecost, they experienced horrendous persecution and ostracism, but they kept delivering the Good News. Why, because the Spirit of God was within them. They constantly operated in the mode of prayer and ministry to people. They wanted to release Jesus Christ and his kingdom upon the people. They were actually carrying out the words of Jesus, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” Of course there is a final day of judgement when the ultimate power of God will be fully realized, but Jesus said, "I will baptize you with the Spirit and with POWER." The kingdom of God has come to us. JESUS AND HIS KINGDOM is the mustard plant. He is the seed that was planted alone, and out of it came a kingdom of power and authority, where many would reside. Jesus told the disciples you can talk about this experience after the kingdom has come. You can talk about it after the seed has died, for then the kingdom will have sprouted. Until then, this transfiguration would just motivate people to make me king now, which would have no eternal value, for I have come to bring life, abundant life, that which is eternal. May we walk in the abundant life today!