Mark Chapter 9 Verse 1

• Now hooooooold up! That verse messed me up the first time I read it through years ago! Jesus just said that some standing there with Him right then, which according to the previous chapter verse 34 were the people and His disciples, some of them would not taste death…which by the way is really interesting in the Greek…
• The Greek word for taste is more literally translated “to try the flavor of…” and so for some reason my mind picture comes to a waiter holding a tray of deserts and he says, “MMMM, try this one!” And immediately you hurl! HA! “That’s terrible, what is that?” “Oh that is a classic dish from our Chef Adam, its called death!” HA! YUCK!
• But I digress…so Jesus says that some of them would not so much as taste death until they see the Kingdom of God present with power and that messed me up. Because all of those folks are dead yet Jesus has not yet returned to establish His Kingdom upon earth…so what’s the deal? Does this mean He got it wrong? Is this a fallacy of sorts? No way. Not a chance and the Biblical rule is this…If my interpretation of scripture or my understanding of scripture makes Jesus wrong or contradicts some other scripture then it’s not the Bible that is in error, it’s me. I need to keep digging. I need to keep studying.
• Some of these folks would see the Kingdom of God present with power. Do you know who? Look at verse 2…but first, do you think maybe one person in the crowd went buck wild when Jesus said this? Maybe one person who just believed Him immediately and explicitly…hands up, woowhoooo! I can see that! Anyway, verse 2…

Mark Chapter 9 Verse 2

• Little did you know, Jesus was the first Transformer! HA!   No no, here it is, the fulfillment of what Jesus was talking about six days earlier! Jesus takes these three and gives them a glimpse of the Kingdom of God that is to come!

Mark Chapter 9 Verses 3 – 4

• So in an instant, Jesus is changed right before their eyes. He shines like the sun, pure and white as snow…why, how? Because He was and is sinless, utterly perfect and as He stands in front of them beaming like a tactical light (you ever looked at one of those? Ouch!) Moses and Elijah show up! There is so much going on here!
• First, miracle after miracle. Yes Jesus in all His glory is revealed, but, what about Moses and Elijah showing up? That is a miracle and a comforting one at that by the way because that is a proof positive for you and for me of life after death, right? Resurrection! Eternal and everlasting life. Here are two that had breathed their last on earth 1,000 years-plus before this and now they stand talking with Jesus! Third miracle, how did Peter know who they were? Were they wearing name plates on their shirts? Brother Elijah, Elder Moses, HA! I think not! There are no name plates in the Kingdom of God! HA! In that moment, in light of God’s glory man, in the presence of Jesus illuminating power, he just knew and it’s amazing…when you are hanging out with Jesus, close to Him, what you’ll just know…
• You’ll look back and say, “How on earth…?” But the answer is simple, Jesus was there. Fourth miracle. Jesus stayed on earth. He could have just gone back with Moses and Elijah, right? He’s perfect, fit for heaven, He could even go where Moses and Elijah could not…into the very presence of the Father…but He chose to stay on earth, to finish the work of redemption! Miracles all around in this scene and Peter loses it. He just can’t contain himself which we’ll see as we move on…
• But first two quick things. This is the scripture that most folks lean on when they identify the two prophets or two witnesses of the Great Tribulation spoken of in Revelation 11. The two that have super powers as it were. They breathe fire and have power over the skies as they can stop rain. They can turn water into blood and they can cause plagues and junk. Then the beast kills them but three days later, guess what happens…they stand on their feet and then take off Ironman style into the clouds! Some folks believe these two are indeed Moses and Elijah…could be…
• One last point…this word we find here…transfigured. Which describes Jesus displaying the very Kingdom of God present with power…that is a word that the Bible also ascribes to whom? You! “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord!” 2 Corinthians 3:18.
• This manifestation of the Kingdom of God present with power, in this scripture set, in this scene in Mark…only for Jesus…but guess what…He has given it to you through the cross man…and now you are something else…or you can be…your choice. The very presence and power of God is within you Christian! So transform! Make folks around you flip out and glorify God! That’s what Peter does…look at verse 5…

Mark Chapter 9 Verses 5 – 6

• Peter…why not say nothing? HA! But he does and thus is the beginning of shrines. Man what a mess shrines and statues are today in that they are worshipped, prayed to, trusted in...just a mess…light a candle, put a dollar in the bucket and pray to this statue of Mary or this statue of St. Paul…what a mess…and interesting who started it all, right?
• I wonder if Peter interrupted them…that would have been appropriate right? The interruption of the Lord and the setting up of a shrine…better to just listen Peter, eh? What would God say in the matter? Precisely that…

Mark Chapter 9 Verses 7 – 8

• Just listen to Jesus, God would say. Forget the shrines, forget the opinions and traditions and what he said or she said…forget all that…Jesus is the very beloved Son of God…hear Him…everything else will be clear…
• What do I do about this? What do I do about her? What do I do about us? What do I do…? The answer if you so choose wisely, simply listen to Jesus…seek Him out through His Word and when He speaks…actually listen…it will be amazing how things become clear…

Mark Chapter 9 Verses 9 – 13

• Jesus foretold His own resurrection. He foretold His crucifixion. The Word of God walking fulfills the Word of God in front of them…Malachi 4:5 proclaims that God will send Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord…and Jesus says, “yep, that prophecy was concerning John the Baptist, so check that one off as complete!”   And Mark tells us they were confused questioning among themselves what the rising from the dead meant…
• Why not just ask Him? He answered them plainly regarding Elijah…I wonder what held them back. Jesus had just revealed to them the Kingdom of God present with power…I wonder what held them back.
• You know, after a meal at a restaurant you’re brought the check and expected to pay…same goes for preaching and teaching the Word of God, did you know that? The Word reveals that we are lost to sin…each of us unable to attain to righteousness and everlasting life on our own…and the check comes around in the amount of your soul. That’s what sin ultimately costs you…condemnation and eternal decay…and yet Jesus stayed on that mountain that day after Moses and Elijah departed…so that He could climb another mountain, upon which stood a cross…
• And on that cross He paid your check…and in His last thought He thought of you and me…and it could be that as I was in His mind’s eye He whispered to me, “You’re free to go…” as He died in my place…He is the Kingdom of God present with power, the question is…is He present with you? I wonder what may be holding you back…If Sunday doesn’t change Monday then what’s the point? Let Jesus show YOU how to transform!