Jaw-dropping Jewels about Jesus
Rarely does Jesus, God the Son, do exactly what we expect of Him. It seems odd that He so frequently surprises us, given that He never changes. Hebrews 13:8 makes this absolute statement: “Jesus the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Still, though He is blessedly consistent in His goodness, Jesus does unforeseen things. Even when He does what is expected, He does not always do it in the way that we anticipate. Let us join with Jesus on a jaw-dropping journey. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
Mark 9:1-8 is certainly a compelling scene. At what we call the Mount of Transfiguration, the glory of God the Son, formerly veiled, is briefly revealed. It was, in some ways, a glimpse of heaven, with Moses and Elijah representing the redeemed and with the voice of God the Father indicating His immediate presence in the “cloud” (verse 7). The disciples were stunned (verse 6). Luke 9:31 provides the additional detail that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were discussing “His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.” What was the greater event, the Transfiguration or the Cross? Clearly, it was the Cross, for it was there that Jesus died for our sins in order to provide eternal salvation. Going down that mountain (verse 9) was even more jaw-dropping than what took place on the mountain top, for that trip down led to the Cross, where Jesus died for you and me.