Sermon Talkback—2 22 2009
Mark 9:2-9
Do you see glimpses of glory in your life?
The Transfiguration story in Mark introduces the messianic secret theme of Jesus in which with verse 9, Jesus again commands silence after a demonstration of his divine power/status. The disciples must tell no one what they have seen “until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” The disciples understand that Jesus is the Messiah (8:27-30), but not that he must suffer and die (8:33).
High Mountain
The setting on a “high mountain” recalls various disclosures of the divine in the Hebrew Bible. The voice of God in 9:7 is similar to the story of Jesus’ baptism (1:11), confirms Jesus divine status. The “dazzling white” appearance of his transformed clothing, reminds us of Daniel 7:9 characterizes him belonging to the divine world. Jesus appearance must be transformed in order for his divine status to be evident, so that the transfiguration serves as a counterpoint to the emphasis on Jesus’ suffering and death.
Elijah and Moses
Jesus’ association with them signifies the continuity between the new revelation that he brings and the foundational revelation recorded in the Hebrew Bible. Some reasons for Elijah and Moses are: represent prophet and law; both were taken up into heaven without dying (although Deut. 34:5 records Moses’ death), and both experienced theophanies (visible appearances of God) on mountains.
Probably the more relevant reason for Moses and Elijah is that they both suffered because of their obedience to the word. As we see in Rev. 3:5, 18, 4:4, etc. “white garments came to symbolize the clothing of martyrs.” Since the transfiguration follows Jesus’ first prediction of his death, it appears that Jesus’ new garment is symbolic of the martyr’s white robe. Part of the function of Elijah and Moses, then, is to reinforce the theme of Jesus’ suffering.
Three Dwellings
Peter’s suggestion to build three booths show that the disciples do not grasp the notion of resurrection because they do not understand that Jesus must die. Instead of understanding the way of the cross, Peter proposes a cult of adulation (excessive praise). Some interpreters connect the three dwellings/booths to the Feast of Tabernacle, which fits with the notion that Peter’s error is to propose “a cult of adoration.”
Summary
The Transfiguration speaks of a paradox central to the gospel of Mark that the Son of God, who belongs to the heavenly world and will eventually reappear in glory, is nevertheless the one who must suffer and die and be raised from the dead.