JESUS TRANSFIGURED: Mark 9:1-8

SCRIPTURE

Mark 9:1-8 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” 

2 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 on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 

DISCUSSION

1. Study through Mark 9:1-8 together. What stands out to you and why?

2. In what sense was Jesus changed in the transfiguration, and in what sense was He unchanged? 

Be careful not to view Jesus merely as a gentle carpenter. He’s the infinitely glorious One who spoke the world into existence, changes times and seasons, and upholds the universe by the word of His power.

3. How are you more apt to view Jesus, as a gentle carpenter or as a glorious King? Why is it important to know He is more than a mere man? Why is it also important to know He is the glorious King, yet He became a man?

4. What do you suppose Peter was thinking or feeling when he suggested building the three tents?

And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:4-5) 

“I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” (Exodus 33:19-20) 

5. How can Isaiah’s reaction to seeing the glory of the Lord help us understand why Peter, James, and John are terrified here in Mark 9? What about what God says to Moses in Exodus 33?

“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when [Jesus] appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3)

6. How is it possible for John to say that when Christians one day see Jesus face-to-face we will not be killed, but rather be perfected? This is called the doctrine of Glorification. How should this give you hope as you follow Jesus in this life?

GOOD WORD

Jesus says in John 10:18, “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

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