Lent Devotional April 4, 2014
Mark 9:2-13
2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and 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 one on earth could bleach them.
4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
6 He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.
7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!"
8 Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.
11 Then they asked him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
12 He said to them, "Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt?
13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him."
DEVOTIONAL
The transfiguration is a passage that raises so many questions and so many thoughts. I can’t pretend to understand all that happens on that mountain. I do understand Peter though. He’s such a lovable character in this part of the Gospel. He’s just confessed his faith, and immediately after he is given this incredible vision. Naturally it terrifies him. But look how he responds. He doesn’t let his fear paralyze him—he attempts to take action. He tries to do something. It may not have been a great plan, but he was trying to be faithful.
This is one of Peter’s characteristics that is worthy of emulation. When he doesn’t know what to do, he does his best to do something, anything, that’s faithful. His decisions aren’t always perfect, but at his best, he tries to be faithful.
Message provided by the Miller Summer Youth Institute.
Mark 9:2-13
2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and 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 one on earth could bleach them.
4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
6 He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.
7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!"
8 Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.
11 Then they asked him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
12 He said to them, "Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt?
13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him."
DEVOTIONAL
The transfiguration is a passage that raises so many questions and so many thoughts. I can’t pretend to understand all that happens on that mountain. I do understand Peter though. He’s such a lovable character in this part of the Gospel. He’s just confessed his faith, and immediately after he is given this incredible vision. Naturally it terrifies him. But look how he responds. He doesn’t let his fear paralyze him—he attempts to take action. He tries to do something. It may not have been a great plan, but he was trying to be faithful.
This is one of Peter’s characteristics that is worthy of emulation. When he doesn’t know what to do, he does his best to do something, anything, that’s faithful. His decisions aren’t always perfect, but at his best, he tries to be faithful.
Message provided by the Miller Summer Youth Institute.
Comments
Post a Comment