Our Next Guest Is: Moses and Elijah

Series: Our Next Guest | Week 6: A Journey Through the Gospel of Mark

Day Three Mark 9:2-13

2 Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. 4 Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.

5 Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified.

7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them.

9 As they went back down the mountain, he told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept it to themselves, but they often asked each other what he meant by “rising from the dead.”

11 Then they asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?”

12 Jesus responded, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. Yet why do the Scriptures say that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be treated with utter contempt? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they chose to abuse him, just as the Scriptures predicted.”
– Mark 9:2-13 (NLT)

Discover
1. Who does Jesus take up on a mountain retreat with Him? How do they respond to seeing Jesus in this glorified stated (verse 6)?
2. How does the voice of God distinguish Jesus from Moses and Elijah in verses 7-8?
3. What does Jesus continue to point the disciples to in verse 12?

Respond
This moment is a lot for these three disciples to take in. They've just heard Jesus say He would soon suffer and die, no doubt a disheartening moment for all of them. But then they get to witness something so powerful! The word transformed here indicates more than just an outer change; it’s a change from the inside out. Jesus gives this inner circle a brief glimpse of His true glory, pulling back the mask of His humanity for just a short time. In that same instant they hear the voice of God, while also getting a hint that Jesus has come to fulfill both the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah)! It’s almost too much to take in, leaving them all terrified and Peter stammering. Pray that God would give you a glimpse of His glory today, and worship Him with reverence and awe.

For Further Connection: Use the words of this song to help you worship.

*TPCC does not necessarily endorse all For Further Reading/Learning sources. They are simply meant to be a helpful tool.

Our Next Guest