Mark 9:1-10 Transfiguration of Jesus (Gospel for March 12, 2006)

OBSERVATIONS:

This is a fantastic scene being described in the gospel passage. Jesus and his core group of Peter, James and John goes up a mountain, his clothes become dazzling white, Moses and Elijah (two of the most prominent figures in the Old Testament) appears, a cloud casts a shadow, and a voice from heaven is heard. Then all of these disappear, and Jesus is alone again.

What does this all mean?

INTERPRETATION:

This passage should be interpreted within the context of Mark’s larger message of Jesus’ death/resurrection and the Christian vocation. (The passage from Mark 8:31 to 10:52 are dedicated to this larger message).

The mountain is used in several places in the bible as the venue where humanity encounters God. Jesus’ garments become “dazzling white” anticipates the major transformation of the world in the “end times.” Moses and Elijah are what the Jews consider as “end-times” figures. The cloud and the voice reflect God’s overwhelming presence. We are not talking here of an “end of the world” scenario, but a time when God’s Reign becomes fully present in all its excellence.

But the key in interpreting this passage lies in Mark 9:10 which says, “As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” (emphasis mine)

Jesus did not want his core group of disciples to associate his presence with the glory and magnificence they had just witnessed, but ALSO with the passion and suffering that he had to eventually undergo.

This is the Christian vocation: we undergo our own passion and suffering, but we keep our eyes on the prize.

GENERALIZATION:

“The fundamental law of Christianity is to lose all in order to win all. It is in this that we must listen to Christ: to give up all human assurance and to rely on God alone.” (Kingdom for All)

God allows us to have mountain-top experiences: a job promotion, an extra-inspiring prayer meeting, a “divine intervention” on a special prayer request, and other such events that simply stir us to declare “ang galing talaga ni Lord!”

But Christian life is not just mountain-top experiences. In many cases, if not most, life is filled with life in the valley: a relationship torn by a deep hurt, a career gone awry, a financial burden made heavier, or a sickness that could not have come at a worse time.

Mountain-top experiences help us when we are in the valley. We don’t cling to the mountain top; that would be like what Peter wanted to do, which is to build tents. Instead, we bring those experiences to remind us that God is in control, in the mountain-top and in the valley.

APPLICATION:

- What “valley experiences” are you going through right now?
- Share a “mountain-top” experience. How can that help you in the valley? How can it help others?

Co-authored by Sonny Santiago, SE-9 and TM