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2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) 7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. (Mark 9:2-9 NIV)
Happy Monday, ConCafe Family! And a blessed and rested post-Super Bowl Monday to you. A blogger I follow says he tries, every year to see how long he can go without knowing who won, or what the score was. He challenged a friend, and that friend claimed he went a full year without knowing either the winner or the score. Could you? I want to thank you for your prayers for my friend, Mr. Paul Morales, of Denver, Colorado, whose surgery went well and he is doing well in his recovery. Nellie and I had mild side effects, but we are doing well after our second dose of the Covid vaccine. We continue to wear our masks and to maintain a safe distance from others. We urge you to please continue to wear your masks, keep a safe distance, and wash your hands.
This passage speaks of a mountaintop spiritual retreat like none other. If you've been blessed, you have attended a retreat that has blessed you like no other. Not all the disciples had the opportunity to attend, though we could argue the three years they spent with our Lord was unlike any spiritual experience any other human had had before, or since. It was Peter, James, and John, the inner circle of the 12, who Jesus invited to be with Him when this event took place. Let's set the stage for this event.
It takes place on a mountain. The mountain is believed to be Mount Tabor, which is in a place called now Armageddon Valley. The mountain is not very high, not even 2,000 feet high, but it is strategic and offered views from strategic points crucial for defense against enemy invaders, views of traders passing through, etc. The Transfiguration comes after not long ago, Peter has declared his faith that in Jesus we have the Messiah. The 12 have seen and experienced many unexplainable things that have them believing something's up, and it takes God doing an Old Testament thing, of speaking (again) words that confirm their suspicions.
The appearance of two biblical characters is an awesome touch that only God could pull off. And the fact that the three recognized them meant they were caught up in the experience by the Holy Spirit. Elijah and Moses, last mentioned in the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi 4:4-5. The first covenant closes with God speaking of the law of Moses, and the return of the great prophet Elijah, whose ministry furthered the work of God. The appearance of these two key OT persons catches the three by surprise; so much so, they did not know what to do. Peter thinks of building them a place to rest or sleep; nice that he thought about hospitality. But before he can start the building, a cloud comes up and a voice from the cloud that says, "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!" BOOM! God speaks, the disciples listen. God has confirmed that what they suspected is true; Jesus is the Son of God and thus the Messiah; the Anointed One of God; the Lamb of God, Whose death would take away the sins of the world.
And just as suddenly as the event started, it was over. The biblical duo was gone; only Jesus remained with them. The retreat was over, but the work was just starting. Jesus gave them orders to tell no one about what had just happened, until Jesus had risen from the dead.
What Jesus demonstrated was that His ministry, all his ministry, was about His having one foot in Glory, one here. Jesus was fully God and fully man, but the connection Jesus demonstrated that can happen between God and humanity is still possible, and very necessary. The 12 would never return to their homes or their normal lives again. They left wives, children, parents, jobs, friends, for the sake of God's mission as disciples of Jesus. What would happen next and ultimately, was more than mortal strength could endure; but they spent time with God's Son and then from God Himself, As we know the legends behind their lives, all endured and overcome all obstacles, even their deaths. All for the sake of helping the world come to know the love of God. Where are our feet? Our hearts? Our spirits? Have we done and given enough to make a difference in the lives of others coming to God?
PRAYER: Awesome God, may our lives be part of a spiritual advance that blesses others into coming to know You and Your love. May our words, actions, and thoughts glorify You. May our eyes see the possible that may be only in the divine but made real here in the earthly; this we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Seek a spiritual retreat during today in which to bless and be blessed!
Receive my blessings of love and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
