Listen to Him

Mark 9:2–1

² And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, ³ and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. ⁴ And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. ⁵ And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁶ For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. ⁷ And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” ⁸ And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. ⁹ And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰ So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. ¹¹ And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” ¹² And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things 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 of him.”

Most commentators share the belief that the book of Mark is actually Peter’s version of Jesus’ time on earth. Mark acts as scribe for Peter’s voice. So, imagine Peter telling of this event to Mark after Jesus has completed His saving work on the cross and risen into Heaven. He tells of the awe and fear that fell upon himself, James, and John as they witness this meeting between Jesus, Elijah, and Moses. Gospel writers Matthew and Luke also relate this story, but leave out the emotional detail.

As I’ve taught this story in the past, I have chided Peter for the ridiculous suggestion of building three shelters for Jesus, Elijah, and Moses. But here in Mark, we have something of an explanation. “For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.” Terrified hardly describes how those three must have felt as they laid human eyes upon the glorified Son of God and the two men who represented all of the Old Testament. Peter probably blurted out the first thing that came to mind. Jesus graciously makes no response to that suggestion as the presence of God the Father settles over this holy gathering. And as quickly as it began, it was over. The Father has spoken of His Beloved Son and instructed the disciples to “listen to Him.”

The first instruction the three disciples had to obey was the charge not to tell the other disciples of these events until after the resurrection. Let me just say, I would have struggled mightily with that one. I would have wanted to tell this story to everyone after coming down from the mountain. But all accounts indicate that Peter, James, and John were obedient to this command. And even though he was right there, John doesn’t even record these events in his Gospel, although he (much) later was granted a vision of Christ in Heaven which must have reminded him of the Transfiguration.

As Jesus experiences this event (probably in the area around Galilee) He now heads into the last few weeks (days) of His life on earth. From this point forward, He is resolutely headed toward Jerusalem for His Final Passion. Undoubtedly Peter, James, and John carried this event in their hearts throughout those days. Imagine the impact those events must have had on a heart and mind that has witnessed the Transfiguration.