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This is the word spoken by God when Jesus took Peter, James and John to the mountain top and was transfigured in front of them. Let’s look at Mark 9:1-8. It is written that Jesus’ cloth became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. Three disciples saw Jesus with shining glory. Also, scripture describes that Elijah and Moses who are the one of the greatest God’s servants in old testament were speaking with Jesus. When Peter saw three of them talking, he said “it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters.” Peter’s intention saying this is to try not to end this moment by building three shelters so that he can linger in this spectacular moment.
By the way, do you remember the last week’s message? Mark 9:1 says
“And he said to them ” I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power”
I mentioned in the last week that resurrection of Jesus is the moment that brought the kingdom of God on earth. Also, Church being birthed by the presence of the Holy Spirit is the characteristic of God’s kingdom coming on earth. we need to think this once again.
Last part of verse 1 says “before they see the kingdom of God come with power” So first Peter, James, and John witness that Kingdom of God came with power on this high mountain, but not being able to keep the glorious appearance of Jesus by building the shelter. However, later in disciples’ lives, they witnessed the resurrection of Jesus, and the church was birthed by the outpouring of the Spirit. By this moment, disciples were transformed to be pillars of the early church. Through these experiences, disciples would start experiencing the new reality of the Kingdom of God.
Paul who used to persecute Christians met resurrected Jesus, and this experience transformed him from persecutors of the church to the Apostle who planted many churches throughout the world. Let’s ponder on the word that Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died
for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.” I believe that resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate hope for the followers of Jesus. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we too are being transformed into God’s people who have the hope of resurrection. I love 1 corinthians 15:42-43, which says ” So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.” My hope is that one day I will be transformed into glorious one, which I hope that this hope is
yours as well.
Now, if we look at the gospel of Luke, Luke actually recorded the conversation between Jesus, Moses and Elijah . In Luke 9:31, it says, 「They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.」To accomplish the redemption of all, this is what Jesus, the son of God was about to complete.
My beloved brothers and sisters, I want you to realize this. We will be transformed into glorious figure someday, and we will be included to the eternal blessing with Christ. What we should do now for that is just like the tile of this message, “Listen to Jesus.” The path for the salvation is already prepared for us by Christ. None of us can earn what only God can give us by striving. But I believe that we can all listen to Jesus, accept the salvation, and listen to the word of God with thanksgiving.
