Sometimes it takes a bit to work out something new—like following Jesus.
Consider, in Mark 9:1, Jesus says, “…there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God…” I puzzled over that until I read 2 Peter 1:16.
The point? Working it out can take some time.
Jesus has been investing that time into his disciples, and it is beginning to show results.
They have begun to work out who they are following. He is not merely an amazing Rabbi. He is the Messiah, their Savior.
Now they have to work out what it means to follow him. Peter thought he knew and was soundly rebuked by Jesus.
The mountain top moment we read of today we call the Transfiguration. It happens exactly at the right moment (we shouldn’t be surprised).
The “penny has just dropped”, they exclaim this carpenter turned Rabbi is none other than the Messiah. Immediately Peter has his misstep. The next scene, “BAM!” Jesus is transfigured into his glorious majesty.
Why is this “just the right moment”? As Jews, their strong sense of “one God” would naturally reduce Jesus to someone, who while amazing, was less than God.
You can see this with Peter’s response. He wants to hang out. Who wouldn’t? Notice how. He wants to build three booths; one each for Elijah, Moses, and Jesus. Peter’s mind, wrestling amid Jesus shining radiance, is that Jesus is great, just like the other two.
As if on cue, the Father’s booming voice declares Jesus is much more.
This moment is God moving them in the direction that Jesus is more than Moses and Elijah.
Then as quickly as he was transfigured, it is over. They find themselves standing with Jesus.
I expect they were scratching their heads; jaws wide open.
Jesus presses in. He tells them to tell no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead. Not surprisingly, confusion follows.
They, wrestling, return to one of their touch points, Elijah. It is natural to run to a touch point when you are trying to work out something as starling and confusing as what they have just experienced.
Which brings this episode to each of us.
What have you worked out about Jesus?
Do you see him as a humble carpenter who became a great teacher? Or, do you understand him as the crucified Messiah, and Savior? Can you see him risen with radiance and glory?
Speaking for myself, I get off track. I confuse following with becoming my own expert. If I did (which is not possible), I would naturally think I could go it alone. That behavior undermines his desire. His desire is that we be with him—always.
In fact, without God, we cannot know Him or follow Him. God is doing this work in us.
Following Jesus is more than a lifelong process by which we accomplish the goal of Christian living—it is the way by which we are always present with Him.
I have two more posts about following him. Right now I think it is important that we do not get ahead of ourselves, or God. I invite you to pause and ask God to show you Jesus’ glory.
How are you with this thought of Jesus glorified? Can you see him in your mind’s eye this way?