Read the passage: The Message or The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
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This passage requires reading the First Testament passages about the prophet Elijah, 2 Kings 2:1-12: The Message or The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
Just as he later does when he goes to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33), Jesus selects Peter, James, and John to accompany him. He leads them up a high mountain. Although unnamed and unstated, a "high mountain" is a "thin place," a place that is close to the spiritual realm, a place for sacred encounters.
Elijah and Moses represent the Prophets and the Law. Their talking with Jesus would signify the high spiritual status of Jesus.
Because Elijah was lifted up into the heavens before his physical death, he is still looked to by Jews today as a fore-runner of the Messiah. This is the role that Jesus ascribes to John the Baptist (Mark 9:13)
(An interesting experience that Elijah, Moses and Jesus share is their 40 day fast: Exodus 34:28, 1 Kings 19:8, and Matthew 4:2)
Mark begins his Gospel, "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (Mark 1:1)
The title, "Son, the Beloved," was earlier heard by Jesus at his baptism as a voice coming from heaven. (Mark 1:11)
It is now confirmed to Peter, James and John by a voice coming from a cloud. They are also instructed to "Listen to him," which suggests that Jesus is of higher status than Elijah and Moses. Indeed, Jesus is "my Son, the Beloved." The only human in the Gospel of Mark who ever ascribes this title to Jesus is the Roman centurion soldier who was present at Jesus' execution. (Mark 15:39)
Peter's offer to build three dwellings for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah provides a little comic relief, for, as the text says, they were terrified out of their minds and did not know what to say.
See the latter part of my Introduction to John for an explanation of why Jesus urges Peter, James and John to tell no one about what they had seen until after his resurrection.
The Transfiguration is an apt Preface to Lent and Jesus' journey to Jerusalem because what lies ahead is both a confrontation between the non-violent justice of the Kingdom of God and the violent injustice of the Roman Empire; as well as the non-violent way of the Beloved versus the hoped-for victory by the Messiah. The crowds at Jerusalem will be cheering for "the one who is bringing the Kingdom of our ancestor David." This is not the same as welcoming God's Beloved.
I wonder how much in our hearts, we are still cheering for Jesus as the triumphant Victor?
David Ewart,
www.davidewart.ca
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