Following Jesus in the Gospel of MarkSample

A GLIMPSE OF GLORY

Look Closely: The details of the transfiguration scene are steeped in the history of God’s covenant relationship with His people. Compare this scene with the account of Moses meeting God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:15-17). What parallels do you see? How does this provide insight into Jesus' transfiguration?

The Greek word metamorphoo, often translated as ‘transfigure,’ means to change into another form. On the mountaintop, Jesus’ appearance was momentarily transformed, giving the disciples an unexpected glimpse of His glory. It’s like a curtain was pulled back, and they could see for a moment the reality of the spiritual realm. In that place, God’s continuous work of deliverance was fully represented by Moses, through whom God established the old covenant, by Elijah, who came to restore all things, and by Jesus, the Son of God, who would complete the work of salvation.

God’s presence among His people is often represented as a cloud. After freeing the Israelites from Egypt, He “went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them...” (Exodus 13:21), He came to Moses in the midst of a cloud so that the people would see and believe him (Exodus 19:9; Exodus 24:15-17), and a cloud covered the tent of meeting to represent God’s presence in the tabernacle in the wilderness. (Exodus 33:9-10) So, when a cloud appeared on this mountaintop, its significance would have been undeniable to Peter, James, and John. God was in that place, confirming Jesus as His Son.

It’s helpful to recognize that the transfiguration occurred only six days after Jesus acknowledged to His disciples that He was the Messiah and described the path of suffering that He would endure before His ultimate victory over death. (Mark 8:29-31) They naturally struggled to understand that revelation; this was not how they expected God’s Kingdom to come. How do you think the juxtaposition of that revelation of Jesus’ suffering with this glimpse of His glory helped the disciples?

Challenge: In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul uses the same word for transform as Mark did for transfiguration. Consider: what does this mean for YOU?