The GOSPEL OF MARK "Behold My Servant"

The glory that will follow               Mark chapter 9v1-10

"And He said unto them "Verily I say unto you that there be some of them which stand here which shall not taste of death until they have seen the kingdom of God come with power"

Jesus intimates that some of them will receive a sneak preview of the kingdom come in power.   As sure as the suffering must come, so the glory will follow and the next experience on the mount will demonstrate it.   The kingdom of God has been long promised (Psalms 72, and 93-99 in particular deal with it along with a host of other scriptures).   The kingdom of God, as predicted, is the visible, universal and eternal rule of God, that is coming to the world and three chosen apostles are now privileged to see the reality of it.   Thus the interpretation of the transfiguration which follows in verses 2-8 is that this is how the kingdom will be, and it is a very fascinating picture which should bolster our faith.  His first coming was in humility and meekness, (and necessarily so), the second coming will be in power.  

                        We are now treated to some wonderful features of the kingdom:

                                                    The transfiguration      verses 2-5

• "After six days...."    The kingdom in power will be on the seventh day!   The symbolism is very striking.   The kingdom will be for 1000 years (Revelation 20 v2v3v4 v5 v6 v7).   "Be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" 2nd Peter 3v8.  We are not given the precise details of when the kingdom will come, but all it says is "we know not the day nor the hour".   This does not mean we cannot calculate a reasonable estimate that the kingdom is coming soon, and the King is coming soon".   Certainly 6000 years of human history are almost complete and the present generation is on the cusp of the return of Messiah-king Jesus Christ.   This preview of the kingdom took place almost 2000 years ago and it's reality is at the doors.   Peter in his epistle interpreted this occasion as follows "We were eyewitnesses of His majesty" and "when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" 2nd Peter 1v16..
• "Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John"      There were twelve disciples with Him but only three were privileged to see the preview.   In the kingdom, which will be a marvellous experience for all, not all will hold the same position of privilege.   There are some who will be higher than others and this principle pervades all of scripture.   A Sovereign Lord in His wisdom will promote some above others.   On three separate occasions these three were given special place;   in Mark 5v37 at the raising of Jairus' daughter;   here at the transfiguration;    and in Mark 14 v33 at the garden of Gethsemane.   These three men were called to witness His power, His glory, and His suffering in a very unique way.   They would be called later to do great things and they were being equipped for the task.   James would be the first martyr (Acts 12);   Peter would open the doors of the kingdom (Acts 2), become the apostle to the Jews; and John would become the apostle to the churches of the Gentiles in the last days of the apostles.
• "Leadeth them up to a high mountain"          The high mountain is symbolic of Zion from which the Lord will rule in righteousness for the duration of the kingdom.   Relevant scriptures are Isaiah 2v2; Micah 4vv1-2; Ezekiel 20 v40.   In each reference the mountain of the Lord is above all mountains.   His rule will surpass all rulers, His word will go forth with the highest authority, His reign will be supreme.
• "He was transfigured before them"          In the kingdom to come Christ and His followers will have different bodies, called "spiritual bodies" in 1st Corinthians 15 and "glorious bodies" in Philippians 3.    Just as in creation bodies were given to suit the environment (1st Corinthians 15vv38-44) so it will be in the kingdom of God.   The bodies of believers will be "fashioned like unto the body of His glory"..   There will be no longer any limitation of time space or energy;   there will be no more any illness or death, they will endure for ever.   This event of transfiguration reveals the extent to which Christ humbles Himself to come amongst us.   The transfiguration was the outshining of what He really is, as described by the writer to the Hebrews as "the brightness of God's glory", the effulgence of a light beyond compare.     The word for transfiguration is metamorphoo  which is transformation like the caterpillar transforming into the butterfly.   As the biblical narrative progresses it is clear He will be able to change His appearance at will, as will we in the coming kingdom.
• "His raiment became shining (glittering), exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them"             Matthew records "His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light".   Luke says ""...the fashion of His countenance was altered and His raiment was white and glistening (flashing like lightning).   When Paul saw Him on the Damascus road he wrote "...at midday O king I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun....".   There is no doubt the kingdom of God will be characterised by striking physical brilliance as well as moral excellence.
• "There appeared unto them Elias with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus"  There is indicated here freedom of movement between heaven and earth.   There may be inference also that the spirits of just men in heaven can take bodily form.   There may be a symbol here of the Rapture, Elijah representing those who go to heaven without dying, and Moses those who pass through death.   What is clear is that both were on speaking terms with Jesus.

                                                   The response of Peter    verses 5-10

There were many flaws in Peter's response, much of it to do with his disorientation because of the awesome sight that was before him.   It is when we are faced with unexpected things our understanding is tested and Peter failed miserably on a number of counts.   He spoke in typical bold style, but failed to grasp the reality before his eyes.

1. He called the Lord "Master" (Rabbi).      This title could be applied to many, he forgot the majesty of the One who was transfigured before him.   This in the context of having declared Him to be the Messiah the Son of the living God (chapter 8 v29).   How soon he forgot, how soon do we?!   He took his eyes off the Lord.   Later John will make the same mistake, and in the process going beyond his calling.
2. He misinterpreted the whole scene         Focusing only on the awesome glory, he assumed the kingdom was about to start by referring to the tabernacles, the glorious future day when all Israel will dwell safely in festal mood and rejoicing in the kingdom.   According to Luke in chapter 9, the discussion on the mount was all about his death, the suffering, Peter's eyes were on the glory.   Interesting that those on earth saw only the glory, whilst those coming from the glory saw only the cross!   Are we fixated on the spectacular, for there was nothing more spectacular than His death at the cross.
3. He put the Lord on the same level as men             "...one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias."    Great men though they were and now glorified as they now were Peter in his impetuosity (albeit sincerity) made a fundamental error in his thinking.   Immediately the answer came as the cloud enshrouded them on the mount, and the voice from heaven was heard "This is my beloved Son hear Him!"     Not a mere Rabbi, not here to set up the kingdom, with no rival on earth or heaven.   You need to listen to Him in everything He says!

Then almost as soon as the vision had come, it was gone and they were alone with Jesus on the mount.   Now they knew who He was, and what He was about.   They had seen things of great importance but were told to keep them secret until after the resurrection.   This experience raised many questions that would only be understood in time.   The great teacher was patient with His pupils as He is with us today.

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