Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
The focus changes as Jesus Christ, the Son of God, takes three disciples up to the summit of Mount Hermon. We move on into Mark Chapter 9.
We have seen who Jesus is – now we are learning something of the purpose of His coming – what Jesus came to do.
These Chapters lead us up to that time when Jesus made His way to Jerusalem and to the Cross.
Jesus uses every opportunity to teach His disciples, and there is an increasing sense of urgency – this is what you must not forget.
As soon as Peter declares “You are the Christ” – Jesus speaks about suffering, rejection, dying, and resurrection.
This must have been extremely hard for the disciples to accept and embrace.
These men see something of the power of God on the Mount – this truth is written at the same place in Matthew and Luke – before the Transfiguration.
Jesus now wants to reveal something of His glory.
We are on the top of Mount Hermon. There is a mountain – there is the appearances of Moses and Elijah – and there is a voice.
Moses represents the law, and Elijah represents the prophets.
Jesus was transfigured.
Jesus was so bright they could hardly look at HIM.
It was light shining from HIM – not on HIM – but from HIM – like a torch behind a piece of cloth.
Moses and Elijah appeared. How did they know? Moses and Elijah and Jesus Christ belong together. We must not separate the New Testament from the Old Testament!
Jesus is more important than the law and the prophets.
They were catching a glimpse of his glory – John says – we beheld His glory – Peter wrote about this, 30 years later in his second letter.
Moses was the receiver of the law. Elijah was a prominent prophet. This is a wonderfully magnificent event as we are given a further and deeper understanding of the nature of Christ
Luke 9 tells us that they speak of his Exodus – EX HODUS – the way out.
Elijah moved deathlessly out of this world, directly to God. Moses had a private death known only to God. These two men, Moses and Elijah, knew what was going on in the world, and they knew something of what was about to happen.
Verse 6 - Let us build three shrines or shelters to remember this occasion. Peter did not know what to say so he said it! Sometimes we do not know what to say – and we say something.
The word used is the word for TABERNACLE.
Peter is saying – we need a tabernacle – we need to preserve this – we might even stay on this mountain. The disciples almost missed the significance of what was happening, as they later did in the Garden of Gethsemane when they kept falling asleep.
A cloud envelops Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.
To be enveloped in a cloud can be a frightening experience – especially if you are atop a mountain, and you cannot see what is happening, and you do not know precisely where you are, or how to turn and move.
The voice of God answered – this is MY Son – listen to Him.
Peter is placing Jesus alongside Moses and Elijah, and a cloud blocks out two and they only see Jesus.
Jesus is able to give what Moses and Elijah could not give – only Jesus could deliver what was so needed.
We cannot place Jesus Christ alongside anyone. That truth will be needed more and more in our western world and in our changing culture.
What God the Father is saying here is – listen to Jesus – do not miss Him – do not miss what He has to say and what He has to reveal.
Where will he take you? How will he lead you? What might He reveal to you?
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.