ON YOUR MARK: WEEK 8 DAY 5

Mark 9:2–8 

The Transfiguration

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. 

One of my many faults is a discomfort with silence when meeting someone for the first time or in a group of people. If there is a void of silence, I will fill it. Probably with a joke or, quite possibly, something nonsensical. I now realize that sometimes the best thing to do is remain silent and just drink in the moment!

 In this epic moment, where Peter, James, and John get to witness a meeting of great prophets and leaders with Jesus, Peter doesn’t know what to do, so he just starts mindlessly yammering on about building places for the three Jewish superheroes to stay. At that moment, God says to Jesus’ disciples, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him” (Mark 9:7).

 A relationship with God is like any other relationship, it is a two-way street! With God, we typically do all the talking, sometimes mindlessly, because we don’t know what to say. Let me encourage you with a piece of hard-earned wisdom: spend time listening to God! I know it’s hard. It takes work and patience to get into the habit, but nothing will lead to peace and joy quicker than learning to listen to God!