Hanging out with Jesus XVII: A Glimpse of Mountain Glory

Hanging out with Jesus XVII: A Glimpse of Mountain Glory

Mark 9.  Key verse  9:23

The disciples had their turn to say who Jesus was in the last Chapter.  Now it was God’s turn. He pulled back the curtains of humanity and time to show who Jesus was in the Glory of his kingdom. His appearance was changed and he was elevated in what is the transfiguration of Christ. In verse 1, Jesus predicted that some who stood before him would not die before seeing his kingdom in its glory. The transfiguration six days later  was a part of the fulfillment of this promise. The outpouring if the Holy Spirit is another.

When God took Peter, John and James up the mountain, they knew Jesus in a way. When he was transfigured, they saw the glory of his kingdom, and knew him better. We all need daily transfigurations of the Jesus we have in our minds to see him gloriously elevated and closer to his true majestic picture as the king of glory. The curtain must be  pulled back so we can see whom we gave as savior and king. For he is  both the lion and the lamb. The disciples caught a glimpse on the mountain but the Holy Spirit came to reveal Jesus on an on going basis.

God revealed Christ's glory on the mountain. He touched the lives of those on the mountain with Jesus.   As you may have expected, Peter had to say something. If it were today, he would have posted it on Face book. Previously he had been rebuked for minding the things of man. The mountain experience helped him see beyond the things of men. He became aware of a whole world more glorious, lasting and vast than the temporary one.   He saw Jesus in a new way. That matters, because how you see him determines how you respond to him.  Peter was inspired for life. Later, in 2 Peter He wrote "we were eyewitnesses of his majesty . . . when he received honor and glory from God the Father."

God affirmed  Jesus on the mountain.   Jesus appeared talking with Moses and Elijah. The three represented the eras of  the law, the prophets and the grace.  They demonstrated that all three are consistent and in unison. Peter answering a question he was not asked put them at par and proposed they build a tabernacle for each. He saw they could coexist. Great effort, on his part, but not enough. Immediately,  God showed up and distinguished Jesus by  making it perfectly clear that Jesus was above the Law and the Prophets. He declared him 'my beloved son, listen to him'. Previously God had spoken in various ways to people but in the last days, he spoke by his son (Hebrews 1- 1-3). He is the current voice and message to humanity.  When you have seen him in his glory, the next step is to hear and believe him. even when he talks about being killed and resurrecting on the third day.

God strengthened Jesus on the mountain. Luke notes that the discussion with Moses and Elijah was about  his impending death. This was a turning point in the narrative of his life. It was his mountain experience before the valley. It prepared him for the journey to Jerusalem and the cross. The mountain was a foretaste but the full test was down the mountain. The mountain had the crown but the valley had the cross.

The mountain posed a dilemma to the disciples.  Do we go or do we stay. The mountain experience was so wonderful that Peter wanted to stay on the mountain.  God however did not want them to settle and build a memorial tabernacle or monument unto Jesus. His intention was to give them  a person not a building, tradition or organization. Often when people think monument he thinks movement. The direction and solutions are in  recognition and obedience of Jesus.

Applying it to your life today, God needs you down the mountain. He wants you to experience mountain glory down the mountain. He wants to manifest the same glory you saw up the mountain but differently. On the mountain, Christ was unveiled. Down the mountain, humanity is involved. The glory shined on the mountain but it is utilized in the valley down the mountain. Jesus did not come down the mountain with shining face and clothes -   people would have run  from Him.  He needed to  identify with people, their needs and aspirations to be relevant. He came down from the mountain where they were enjoying the glory to being among the needy that needed the glory. Glory was unveiled on the mountain but down the mountain, glory tackled human suffering and problems. Glory on the mountain was a glimpse. Glory down the mountain was a life Journey.   On the mountain, there were Moses and Elijah but down the mountain was flesh and blood. Hands are up in worship on the mountain. Down the mountain, hands were 'dirty and bloody' in the battlefield.  You draw strength from the mountain but battle in the valley (Exodus 17:11-13).   On the mountain, you discuss the future and in the valley, you deal with the current reality.  It is so attractive on the mountain you want to stay there but it is onerous in the valley you want to finish well.  A glorious end viewed on the mountain but the journey is travelled in the valley.  Treasure is revealed on the mountain but it is dug and drilled in the valley.    After a glimpse of mountain, glory is a life of expressing that glory.

The good news is that mountain glory also manifests down the mountain. It is possible to experience mountain  glory down the mountain. In Psalm 23:4, the valley of the shadow of death was a place to experience God's presence, strength, mealtime, anointing, overflow,  goodness and mercy.  In Psalm 84:6, the valley of Baca (weeping) became a well and its pools were filled with rain. And in Hosea 2:15, the valley of Achor (trouble) became a  door of hope and place for celebration. 

Mark 9 teaches how to live the glorious life down the mountain where Jesus is unveiled. How to  bring mountain glory to the valley. Three ways:

>> Depend on God (14-29).

When you listen to Jesus, you find yourself among the needy. That's what happened with Peter, John and James.  From the mountain, they walked into a situation  where the other disciples tried to cast out a demon.  They had cast out demons in the past --- but now they were unable to do so. The scribes probably were making fun of their failure. The father was desperate and pleaded with Jesus to do ‘anything’. Jesus who answers  prayer heard his heart and responded ‘if you can believe ... all things are possible.’  The father said he believed but also needed help in his unbelief. Jesus wonderfully set his son free. Mountain glory was in action down the mountain. Paul wrote, ‘I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.’  You also can depend on his strength and seek his kingdom first and all things are possible.

Jesus explained why the disciples failed. They needed to employ prayer and fasting.    Fasting is a form of prayer. So the main point is prayerfulness. They may have prayed or even fasted but until you have believed, you have not prayed. Faith does not mean convincing yourself that you can do something.  It is a fresh and vibrant relationship with God. Always check prayer and eating habits for the cause of spiritual futility.  They focused on the formula of  invoking Jesus' name, instead of focusing on the person and glory of Jesus himself. 

He repeated his prediction of his death and resurrection (v 39-32). Would they trust him? The disciples still did not understand, and this time did not ask him to explain himself better. For the progressive nature of Jesus' prophecies concerning his death, see 8:31, 9:31, and 10:33-34).

>>Serve others (39-40).

The disciples were caught quarreling about who among them was the greatest (33-34). You cannot experience mountain glory down the mountain with negative attitudes towards other people. Attitudes of pride, despising others, bitterness, disharmony and lack of care hinder the glory.  The quality of relationships affects spiritual wellness (Mathew 5:23, 24).

Can you imagine the conversation of the disciples? Perhaps those who went up the mountain thought they were the best and if they had been present, they would have cast the demon out. Maybe Peter was arguing he was the best of the best three  because he was given the keys of the kingdom and was the only one who spoke on the mountain. They also exposed that people are political creatures. Jesus was talking about soon dying. When a leader is about to depart some go into denial mode and are prepared to fight to keep them in power. However because they deny the possibility of his/her departure they are likely as Peter later did, to deny the leader when faced with the reality if their departure. All because  one who departs was not the one they were following. On the other hand, there  are those who see opportunity and jostle for  positions in the  unfolding new dispensation without the leader. The disciples did not only argue about the greatest among them. They also considered themselves as exclusive to preaching the gospel.

Jesus did not rebuke them for wanting to be great but corrected their notion and means to it. He pointed out that it was all right for others to preach for whoever was not against them was for them. Being greatest was not being the exclusive club but having ability to include others in your privilege. Greatness was being able to receive a child. Receiving a child is commitment  to serve selflessly. A child is weak and powerless to reward you. Greatness is humility and meekness. Greatness is a life motivation to please God, and glorify Jesus name. Whatever done for Christ's sake acquires eternal rewards even a seemingly insignificant action like giving a cup of water to someone. If done for Jesus' sake it becomes big and of eternal significance. Whereas, seemingly big things done for selfish reasons are reduced to nothing in eternity. Enjoy mountain glory down the mountain by being at peace with others and serve out of love for Christ the living example, did not come to be served but to serve.

>>Judge yourself (41-50).

Jesus emphasized the need to be gracious and give others benefit of doubt while coming hard on oneself. It is easier to judge others but rather be quick to judge yourself. When you have judged yourself well and honestly, you will not find strength to judge others.  He exhorted that each person should  rein firmly on him/her self. Based on a gain-loss analysis raise the bar of your standards. Do not make it too easy to sin. Raise the stakes because they are high and cannot be higher. The choice is between  obedience and a place of unquenching fire and undying worms. This is such a serious matter that if a bodily organ causes you to stumble, you would rather cut it off.

Jesus picked on the hands, feet and eyes but there are other menacing body parts deserving for many to lose. Jesus mentioned these to metaphorically say cut out whatever leads you to sin. Hand is symbolic of the sinful deeds/works that must be cut off. A foot is the path that leads to sin. Cut off the series of influences, choices or decision path that lands you in sin. The eye is symbolic of looking at things, or viewing them in ways that arouse sinful desires such as lust and greed. You rather live maimed without the troublesome hand, foot and eye than lose mountain glory down the mountain. Pain is to be preferred to sin.  Do not give Satan a foothold. Become effective salt or effective agents for God that flavor the world with good works.

Reflection:

When you are correctly configured (chapter 8), you are tuned in to his frequency.  You will hear the call to the mountain where you will see Jesus transfigured into glory.  From the mountain, you will come down empowered with the mountain glory to face the disfigured marred, corrupted world.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

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A striking contrast. From the glory in the to the gory in the valley

The Consequence of Glorious living

The Way to Glorious Living

When Jesus came

I'll. sopgo. group casting out demon, got there asked for opp. They let him. Laid hands. And 'I see fire , I am burning etc' whole group came and started to also say go, come out, etc... In end not clear who dud it.  The person went to the groups church.

I'll. shoe makers... One they come back quicker and I make more money. Other - you know, when I make shoes, I keep remembering that I will see a pile of all I made one day . And I want to so make shoes that every shoe I make will pass the judgment of the Lord at the judgment seat of Christ."