READ: Mark 9:2-10: … “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
The disciples heard about the path of suffering and death that Jesus must undergo. They too must endure suffering for His sake, even be willing to die for Him. If they do not stand up for Him, they will be lost. They still cannot fully comprehend this. Is their faith strong enough to continue following Him in everything now? Or will they doubt?
A few days later, Jesus goes up a high mountain with the familiar three disciples. They are alone there to pray (see Luke 9:28-29). Jesus often prays to His Father; He will now pray especially for the strengthening of His disciples’ faith. Then, suddenly, a miracle happens before the disciples’ eyes. As God’s response to prayer, a transfiguration takes place in Jesus: His face changes, and His clothing becomes dazzling white. Everything about Him now radiates divine glory. Then Moses and Elijah appear. They speak with Jesus about His path of suffering. The other Gospels provide more details about this. Jesus’ radiant appearance already reveals that His humiliation will lead to His glorification.
For the disciples, this is still too difficult to understand; they are afraid. Therefore, Peter makes a well-intentioned but strange suggestion. Then a cloud covers them, and a voice comes out of the cloud, addressing the disciples directly: “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him!” And then everything is over, and they see only Jesus standing there. God the Father Himself has intervened to strengthen the disciples’ faith; they will never forget this. So, they should listen well to Him.
The words “Listen to Him” refer to the promise of the great Prophet-Messiah. They should not doubt Him; He is the real deal! Whatever He says, accept it as true. Jesus wants them not to tell anyone what they have seen until He, the Son of Man, rises from the dead.
Do we also need a sign about Jesus?
Singing: Ps. 32:4