Mark 9:2-9, The Message
Six days later, three of them did see it. Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. His clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them. Elijah, along with Moses, came into view, in deep conversation with Jesus.
Peter interrupted, “Rabbi, this is a great moment! Let’s build three memorials—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah.” He blurted this out without thinking, stunned as they all were by what they were seeing.
Just then a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him.”
The next minute the disciples were looking around, rubbing their eyes, seeing nothing but Jesus, only Jesus.
Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy. “Don’t tell a soul what you saw. After the Son of Man rises from the dead, you’re free to talk.” They puzzled over that, wondering what on earth “rising from the dead” meant.
Wouldn’t you love
to have been there?
Of all the biblical stories,
this is the one I’d
like to enter.
And sometimes,
when the sky looks like
this one,
I think I come close.
Do you?
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I’ve always wondered how the disciples KNEW they were seeing Moses and Elijah standing there with Jesus. What definitive clues (because I’m sure there were no name tags) did God give to them in that moment of revelation? And how Peter is so very human! He wants a transcendental moment to last forever on earth when it is one which is only everlasting in the eyes of God.
I would have loved to have been there, too . . .
Blessings, Diana!
Good question, Martha. I’m guessing it was a ‘bolt out the blue’ kind of understanding, but who knows? We’re not given all of the details in any of the biblical narratives, just the most important ones, I think. So maybe that piece is not such a big deal?
Would I, like Peter, have blurted out empty words when I should have stayed silent?
Inspired by this post to guard my words today, to ponder and be wordless whenever I can.
A great question to ask ourselves every day, Nancy. Thanks for your comment and encouragement.