Today’s thought Mark 9 A voice out of the cloud declaring Jesus to be His son (August 14)

Today we come to read in Mark 9 how Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain. What they came to see onto that mountains was special. Jesus his appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. His clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them.

“2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them; 3 and his garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them.” (Mr 9:2-3 ASV)

When Peter came to see Elijah, along with Moses, in deep conversation with Jesus, he became aware of the importance of that great moment.

“4 And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter answereth and saith to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Mr 9:4-5 ASV)

Like at the baptism of Jesus there was a light-radiant cloud and from deep in the cloud, came a Voice.

“ And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out of the cloud,

This is my beloved Son: hear ye him.” (Mr 9:7 ASV)

Again an apostle wrote down those words so many Christian do not want to accept.

“This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him.”

Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy until he would be raised from the dead.

“8 And suddenly looking round about, they saw no one any more, save Jesus only with themselves. 9 And as they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, save when the Son of man should have risen again from the dead.” (Mr 9:8-9 ASV)

At that time the apostles puzzled over that, wondering what on earth “rising from the dead” meant.

“ And they kept the saying, questioning among themselves what the rising again from the dead should mean.” (Mr 9:10 ASV)

Today we know. But for them this knowledge came only much later. all the time when they were going with Jesus they had to trust him. They had to believe in him. They were not always sure what he meant, and more than once they needed some more explanation from their master teacher. Always Jesus was prepared to answer their questions and to make it more understandable, what he had said and what he was doing.

Jesus wanted to teach his disciples. Now it had become time that they would come to know that the Son of Man was about to be betrayed to some people who wanted nothing to do with God. He said they were going to murder him and three days after his murder, he was going to rise, alive.

“30 And they went forth from thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. 31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he shall rise again. 32 But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him.” (Mr 9:30-32 ASV)

They didn’t know what he was talking about, but were afraid to ask him about it. Today, we do know what happened. We should also be convinced that it was that son of man, the Nazarene master teacher of flesh and blood, who had witnessed about his heavenly Father, who got killed by hanging publicly on a wooden stake.

How many are there not in the world who say that Jesus is God. How many do doubt the position of Jesus Christ? How many are there not in the world who ignore the importance of the sacrifice that Jesus made. Because when Jesus would be God, then he would have faked not only his death, because God cannot die, but he would also have told several lies, like that God is greater than him and that he cannot do anything without Him, the same as that he does not know lots of things because it is only given to God to know those things.

Coming closer to the End Times there are going to be more difficulties, natural disasters like earthquakes, floods and wildfires, but also a lot of tribulation, wars between many nations. In those tough times, it shall be important to have the right belief.
Belief can be difficult, especially in tough times. However, it’s in those tough times that belief is most important.

When reading about the public life of Jesus, we should get a picture of this sent one from God. All the miracles he did are a sign that God was and is with him. The gospels are books that bring us the Good News of that man of flesh and blood who gave his life.

Lots of people live in disbelief. We should be assured by the words of Christ and by the Words of the God Who declared that man to be His only begotten beloved son. In tough times and good times we should have no doubts that Jesus is the sent one from God, who is authorised to speak and act in His Name. Jesus is telling us that anything is possible for those who believe. Let your response be, “I believe.” Sometimes it’s as simple as that.

Christadelphians may be pleased that they are informed followers of Christ. The apostles got informed first hand, by the master himself, but they made sure that those interested to come to know the Truth, would be able to find all the stories around Jeshua, the Christ, the saviour of the world. In other messages at this website you can read how Jesus sent out his apostles and disciples. The task Jesus gave was not limited to those living at the time of Jesus. No, all who want to be a follower of Jesus should follow the task he gave to his followers. As believers in Christ, we should show the world how Jesus is really the son of God who offered himself as a ransom for the sins of all people.