Mark 9

This devotion was written to accompany the Venture Church 2023 Bible Reading Plan.

Many times, the work of God is spectacular in ways we truly cannot explain or understand. Have you ever experienced that? I know that our family has on more than one occasion, and those experiences have helped shape our view, understanding and faith in God Almighty. The way He works, the 'why' behind His working and even how He chooses to accomplish His will can be astonishing, and it creates stories for us to share with others of His power, His might and His glory.

Oh the heels of the Pharisees begging for more evidence that Jesus is who He said He was, Jesus takes Peter and John up to a mountain for the ultimate spectacular and astonishing experience. He allowed them to SEE His glory! Together with Moses (who represented the Law of God) and Elijah (who represented the prophets), Jesus confirmed His WORD and His fulfillment of it. He had come to fulfill the Law and the prophecies -- He had come as the Promised Messiah, the Savior of the world.

What Jesus demonstrated during this holy encounter is the how -- He would suffer for the sake of God's global glory. His own suffering would be ultimate payment for the sins of all people, and by the shedding of His own blood, those who would put their faith in His finished work would be justified to a Holy God. Jesus would become the substitution.

And there's Peter and John seeing the actual GLORY OF GOD right before their eyes! They almost missed it, like literally took a nap. But in His kindness and in the beauty of His friendship with them... Jesus let them SEE it!

How has Jesus let you SEE His power in action? When have you gotten a glimpse into the GLORY OF GOD right before your eyes?

We need not dilute the transfiguration of Jesus to a comparison of human understanding, BUT, we also need not disregard the power of Christ given to us through the Holy Spirit.

We have not seen the glory of God in its fullness, but we have experienced the glory of God in our lives. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead -- solidifying that transfiguration --is alive and active in us!