Today’s WORD (Text)               Mark 9:5-9

5/ Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6/ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7/ Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son the Beloved; listen to him!” 8/ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus. 9/ As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Today’s Witness

The disciples faced a dilemma concerning what to do while witnessing Jesus’ conversation with the ancient prophets.  Was this a real-life sighting or a vision while in a trance like state?  Neither question was the focus for the disciples.  They saw Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah, and they were transformed by Jesus’ dramatic transfiguration during that encounter.

Their dilemma was three-fold: Can we contain this moment? Can we report on this moment?  Or, do we simply remember this moment?  Peter quickly recommended erecting three tents to contain Jesus and his visitors. It is an all-too human reaction to construct a building to put God in.  Can we remain caught up in this moment?  In contemporary times, we would all pull out our cell phones and attempt to record it.  But the transfiguration would not be videotaped.  Containing the moment was a non-starter.  Jesus went a step further to prohibit them from even talking about the vision after descending the mountaintop. He did not want to create a spectacle in the form of a press release that would elevate a fleeting visit from the ancients above the incarnation of God.  All they can do for now is remember God’s awesome presence, to be recounted again some day in the future.

Today’s Invitation

When did you have an awesome spiritual encounter that is now safe to talk about? What was it? What happened?  How did it make you feel about the power and presence of God?

Today’s Prayer

Dear God, thank you for the disciples of Christ who shared testimonies of the times they spent in Jesus’ presence.  Thank you for their memories. Help us to honor the sacred reminiscences of those who walked and talked with Jesus.  Teach us also to value our religious experiences.  Thank you for all the ways in which you reveal your glory, your presence, and your power in your lives.  Make us witnesses of these things, in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Passionary Intention

Today, I choose to live my life with passion.  Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:

  • Where will I follow Christ today?
  • To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
  • How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?

 

The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday).  Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.

 

Photo by Carlos Arthur M.R on Unsplash