The ABC’s of God’s Glory

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Text: Mark 9:1-13

Mark 9:2-3

 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^[a] on earth could bleach them.

(ESV)

While making intercession for the people of Israel, Moses asks God to show him His glory (Exodus 33:18).  The context of this request is Moses interceding for Israel after their sin of making and worshipping the Golden calf (Exodus 32).  This sin revealed that those God gave Moses to lead are a rebellious people, capable of great sin.  Moses must have understood the need to have God’s guidance and wisdom as he is about to leave the glory of Mount Saini and begin the journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land.  Perhaps in his heart, Moses wants to experience the glory of God one more time and why he asks to see God’s glory.  However, Moses’ request is a death sentence for no one can see the face of God and live (Exodus 33:20).  Fortunately for Moses, God shows him grace by not allowing him to see God’s face and die but hides him in the cleft of the rock (Exodus 33:21-23).  This symbolizes the protection we have by experiencing redemption from sin in Christ, the foundational rock of the church (Matthew 16:18). 

The passage of this post begins with Jesus telling all the Disciples that some of them will not die before seeing the power of the kingdom of God (Mark 9:1).  The six days that occurred between Jesus making this statement and the taking of Peter, James, and John upon the mount of transfiguration might have resulted in great contemplation in the context of Jesus previously telling them of His death and resurrection (Mark 8:31-38).  Did Jesus mean that he would establish the kingdom of God right after resurrecting from the dead?  Did he mean that the second coming after His ascension would occur prior to the death of all the Disciples?  In hindsight, we know that neither of these occurred but find the answer to what Jesus meant in the subsequent verses (Mark 9:2-13). 

After the passage of six days, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to the mount of transfiguration where they see God’s radiant glory in Christ.  Experiencing God’s glory is something that should burn in the hearts of all believers in Christ.  The experience of God’s glory by Peter, James, and John teach us the ABC’s of experiencing God’s glory in our lives.  To experience the glory of God in our lives we must be,

1)      Available for God to show us His glory – Jesus does not take all the Disciples to the mount of transfiguration but only Peter, James, and John.  Scripture is unclear on whether Jesus invited all the Disciples with only these three agreeing to go or if Jesus specially chose them to experience the glory of God.  However, what is important is that Peter, James, and John made themselves available by going with Jesus, and experience the glory of God.  We make ourselves available to experience God’s glory through regular prayer, Bible study, and meditation on scripture.  We also make ourselves available to experience the glory of God through regular church attendance where we experience others worshipping God and studying the Bible. 

2)      Bask or spend time in God’s glory – It is important to spend time experiencing God’s glory when it comes upon us by simply taking time to be still and experience it.  Unfortunately for Peter the extrovert who tends to speak when he should not, the experience of God’s glory for Peter, James, and John is cut short by Peter’s arrogant statement that it is good for them to be there and his desire to build tents of worship for Elijah, Moses, and Jesus (Mark 9:5-8).  While we will not eternally live in the glory of God till we die or meet Jesus in the rapture, we must spend time quietly basking in the glory of God through humble worship when we experience God’s glory. 

3)      Communicate or tell others of God’s glory in the context of the Gospel – The natural reaction to seeing the Glory of God at the transfiguration must have caused a desire in Peter, James, and John to tell everyone they knew.  Jesus words of caution are an instruction to always communicate an experience of the glory of God within the context of the Gospel.  The Gospel is our cleft in the rock allowing us to safely experience the glory of God.  We enter this cleft in the rock by accepting Jesus as our savior through expressing a belief in Jesus death, burial, and resurrection.  If you have never prayed and expressed a belief in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, I invite you to do so now,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

For those that just prayed with me, you have protection from the glory of God in the cleft of the rock of the Gospel and can safely experience the glory of God.  However, to experience God’s glory you must make yourself available, take time to bask in God’s glory, and tell others within the context of the Gospel so they too can safely experience the glory of God.  May all reading this experience the Glory of God through Jesus Christ.