His Glory Revealed

Mark 9:2-13
  2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves to be alone. He was transfigured in front of them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling — extremely white as no launderer on earth could whiten them. 4 Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it’s good for us to be here. Let’s set up three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” —  6 because he did not know what to say, since they were terrified.
 7 A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my beloved Son; listen to him! ”
8 Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
 9 As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept this word to themselves, questioning what “rising from the dead” meant.
11 Then they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first? ”
 12 “Elijah does come first and restores all things,” he replied. “Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did whatever they pleased to him, just as it is written about him.”

 

GOING DEEPER
Parallel, Related and Referenced Passages
Parallel Accounts: Matthew 17:1-13; Luke 9:28-36.
See also: 2 Peter 1:16-18
 
1) GOING UP THE MOUNTAIN

• Exodus 34:29–35 — Moses reflects God’s glory
• 1 Kings 19:8–18 — Elijah encounters God on the mountain
• Exodus 13:21 — God leads His people by the cloud
• Exodus 40:34–35 — God’s glory fills the tabernacle
• Mark 1:10–11 — The Father declares Jesus His beloved Son
• Isaiah 6:1–5 — Isaiah beholds the Lord’s holiness and glory
• Philippians 2:6–7 — Christ humbles Himself in the incarnation
• John 1:14 — The Word became flesh and revealed His glory
• Hebrews 1:3 — Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory
• Revelation 1:12–16 — John sees the risen Christ in glory

2) COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN

• Malachi 4:5–6 — Elijah promised before the day of the Lord
• Dan. 12:2; Isa. 26:19 — The promise of resurrection at the end
• Isaiah 26:19 — God’s people will rise from the dead
• John 1:21 — John the Baptist denies being literally Elijah
• Luke 1:17 — John comes in the spirit and power of Elijah
• Matthew 11:14 — Jesus identifies John as the Elijah to come
• Mark 6:17–29 — John the Baptist is rejected and killed
• Isaiah 53:3–5 — The Messiah suffers for His people
• Luke 24:26 — The Christ must suffer before entering glory

ASSURANCE, VISION, TRANSFORMATION

• 2 Peter 1:16–18 — Peter testifies to Christ’s majesty
• Romans 8:17 — Suffering with Christ leads to glory with Christ
• James 1:2–4 — Trials produce endurance and maturity
• 1 Peter 5:10 — God restores His people after suffering
• Philippians 2:7–11 — Christ’s humiliation leads to exaltation
• Romans 12:2 — Be transformed by the renewing of your mind
• 2 Cor. 3:18 — We are transformed beholding the Lord’s glory
• Colossians 3:1–4 — Set your heart on the risen Christ

CONSIDER

1. The disciples saw Jesus’ glory on the mountain before hearing about His suffering. Why do you think that order matters?  How does it shape their understanding and ours?

2. Why do we tend to expect following Jesus to make life easier?
Where do you see that expectation in yourself or in the culture around you?

3. How have you seen the pattern of “glory comes through suffering” play out in your own life or in others’ lives?

4. When following Jesus becomes costly (relationships, comfort, reputation, etc.) What helps you stay faithful and not lose heart?

5. God the Father said, “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.”  What makes it hard to truly listen to Jesus, and what might help you trust Him more?

6. Believers are being “transformed” into Christ’s image.  What is one area where you sense God is currently working to change you?

7. Jesus’ path is one of humility, surrender, and service.  What is one specific step you can take this week to follow Him in that way?