A Reflection on Mark 9:1-10 N.A.B.
By: Larry T
Peter, James,
John, and Paul were the four pillars of Jesus’ emerging Church. Peter, James,
and Paul were ultimately murdered for preaching the Good News. Peter was
crucified; James and Paul were both beheaded. Clearly, their faith in Jesus enabled
them to face their executions, but why were they so loyal to him? It is true
that Peter, James, and John had seen Jesus perform various healings and
miracles, but it was probably the Transfiguration of Jesus, the empty tomb, and
Jesus’ physical resurrection that cemented their faith. The Transfiguration was
meant to be a wellspring of power and hope for them.
1 He also said to them,
“Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death
until they see that the kingdom of God has come in power.”
2 After six days Jesus
took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
3 and his clothes became
dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
4 Then Elijah appeared to
them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.
5 Then Peter said to
Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
6 He hardly knew what to
say, they were so terrified.
7 Then a cloud came,
casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my
beloved Son. Listen to him.”
8 Suddenly, looking
around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.
9 As they were coming
down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to
anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
10
So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead
meant.
- Mark 9:1-10 N.A.B.
What did Jesus
mean when he said “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will
not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come in power.”? This
statement has been the source of much debate and speculation through the
centuries. Just what did Jesus mean? Theologians and biblical scholars do not
all agree on the meaning, but some convincingly argue that placement of this
statement immediately before the Transfiguration clearly relates it to the Transfiguration
event. Following this line of thinking, Jesus promised Peter, James, and John that
they would personally witness the coming of the Kingdom of God “in power.”
Then, Jesus
led them up onto a high mountain where he was transfigured before them and “and
his clothes became dazzling white such as no fuller on earth could bleach
them.” The astounding whiteness of His clothing reflected His transfigured glory.
Moses (the
lawgiver and liberator) and Elijah (the first great prophet) suddenly appeared
and began speaking to Jesus. With one foot in the Old Testament and one foot in
the New Testament, Jesus is undoubtedly the new Torah.
Next, the
whole Trinity appeared: the Father in the voice; the Son in the man; the Spirit
in the shining cloud (C.C.C. 555). With, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him.”
the Father revealed Jesus to be his Son, representative, and revealer, then he
gave divine authority to Jesus’ teachings.
The Second Letter of Peter to the Christians wasn’t written by Peter, but by an anonymous author. Still, it was based on oral tradition that summarized their Transfiguration experience, so we know that it had a deep-rooted effect on them.
The Second Letter of Peter to the Christians wasn’t written by Peter, but by an anonymous author. Still, it was based on oral tradition that summarized their Transfiguration experience, so we know that it had a deep-rooted effect on them.
16
We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power
and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17
For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique
declaration came to him from the majestic glory, “This is my Son, my beloved,
with whom I am well pleased.”
18
We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the
holy mountain. - 2 Peter 1:16-18 N.A.B.
Later on,
Peter vehemently denied Jesus three times, so we know his faith was still being
formed. Imagine the bewilderment when he ran to Jesus’ burial tomb and saw that
it was empty. On its own, the empty tomb didn’t mean much to him because Jesus’
body could have been stolen or it might have even been the wrong tomb.
Nonetheless, he was certain that Jesus had died on the cross because one of the
Roman soldiers plunged his spear into Jesus’ side (John 19:34 N.A.B.). It was only
when Peter could see and speak with the physically resurrected Jesus that his
faith was completely formed, and he could become one of the four leaders of the
early Church.
As we reflect
on the Transfiguration of Jesus, we might take the time to relax, take a few
deep breaths, close our eyes and imagine that we are walking side by side with
Peter. Can you hear loose gravel and small rocks crunch under our sandaled feet
as we climb the mountain? We’re all gasping for breath and grunting as we
struggle to keep up with Jesus. Rivulets of sweat stream down our foreheads
into our eyes stinging them. Jesus is suddenly transformed. His clothing is so
blindingly white that we can’t bear to look directly at him. Imagine our terror
when Moses and Elijah magically appear. Moses and Elijah! Have we all died? Panic
stricken, Peter foolishly blurts out something about building three tents. Then
the cloud appears and we hear the voice of God the Father. In an instant it’s
all over. What are we thinking as we carefully and silently make our way down
the mountain? What just happened? Was it real? Was it a group hallucination?
Peter’s spiritual
journey progressed from simple curiosity about Jesus to partial faith, then to
half faith, and finally to rock solid faith in the Lord. Especially at this
time of the year, as we work our way through Lent into and through the Easter
season, we should set aside time to walk with Peter through each spiritual
event as we just did through the Transfiguration. Be overcome with love for
Jesus at the Last Supper as Peter was. Feel our blood pressure skyrocket and
our bodies stiffen in rage as we see our beloved Jesus being brutally arrested.
Share in Peter’s disgrace and despair at denying Jesus. Recoil in horror at Jesus’
crucifixion. Sense the desolation of the eleven disciples at Jesus’ death. And finally,
be overcome with pure joy at being with the resurrected Lord. Peter’s spiritual
journey is an example for all Christians; his faith journey from beginning to
end is our faith journey.
Wow! This reflection is going to stay with with me. Thank you so much for writing it.
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