The Transfiguration, Part 2: True Kingdom Business | Mark 9:2–8
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.
We can only imagine what the glory of the moment was like
for the disciples. Peter had certainly
put some information together. He knew
that Jesus is the Messiah (8:29), and that Jesus had just been teaching on the
coming kingdom (9:1). He had some important
ideas, but not yet the most important.
Peter is concerned for Kingdom business. Peter had been falling asleep just moments
ago (Lk 9:32) but is now wide-awake with terror at the supernatural events
unfolding before them—it’s safe to say that Peter’s mind struggled with the
situation! Still, he speaks more truth
than we might suspect in the moment. He
wants Moses and Elijah to stay, and offers to build booths, perhaps reflecting
upon the Feast of Booths kept in the kingdom (Zech 14:15).
But, Peter is insufficiently concerned. It is interesting that, while the three were
discussing what Jesus was to accomplish in Jerusalem, Peter interrupts to insistent
for future glory. This would be the
second time in a week that Peter has shunned talk of the death of Christ (cf.
8:31–32). That would explain the sudden,
fearful sight of the glory cloud overshadowing them, and why the Father’s
command for obedience cuts off Peter’s words (cf. Mt 17:5; Lk 9:34).
Peter is only concerned with what God says will be,
not with what God has also said must first be. When Peter reflects upon this glorious
episode at the end of his life, he uses it as an illustration of the supremacy
of Scripture and the need to listen to it (2 Pt 1:16–21). It seems he learned his lesson—a commitment to
everything God says is more important than a glimpse of glory. As Warren Wiersbe says, “Discipleship is not
built on spectacular visions but on the inspired, unchanging Word of God.”[1]
[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible
Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996),
141.
