Preparation

Scripture:

Mark 9:9   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. ¹⁰ So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean. ¹¹ Then they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” ¹² He said to them, “Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? ¹³ But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.”

Observation:

The transfiguration is a moment of preparation. It is a glimpse of what is to come, when Jesus is transfigured on the mountain. Those who are with him are astounded and he tries to explain to them that he will rise from the dead. This seems to further confuse them, but again, this is a foreshadowing of the moment when the heart of the Father will be restored to all of humankind by the self-giving of his Son. 

Their curiosity with Elijah, and understanding John’s role, is all a part of this preparation. The advent of the pinnacle of Jesus’ work is about to come, and little by little their eyes are opened. The problem is that far too many can’t see what is really happening. They close their eyes and ears to the reality of the work of God in their midst. Jesus is trying to intentionally prepare these men for what lies ahead. The light begins to dawn on them, a moment at a time. 

Application:

So often there are signs around of us of the kingdom of God, but somehow we miss out on them. There are two things to be noted here. One is that our eyes and ears need to be opened to what God is showing us on a daily basis. It is all a part of our spiritual preparation. We are to see Jesus at work in the daily encounters, and all of this is becomes a light to our path, preparing us for the moment when we are finally united with Christ. 

At the same time, we are to be participants in the preparation for others. We are partners of God’s prevenient grace in this world as we reach out to those who need to see a little bit of Jesus’ light. As we reflect Christ, we become the little glimpse of Jesus that some need as preparation to salvation. We are all working together in God’s work, bringing light into the darkness, preparing the way for those who need to know Christ. 

The advent of Christ is exciting for those who know him, but it should be just as exciting for those who don’t. Think about the lives that you will touch today and the ways in which you can be a partner in preparation for Christ to transform them. Jesus was constantly and actively engaged in preparation and becomes our role model. He took his disciples to experience the transformation, for he was preparing them. He taught them about Elijah and John, because he was preparing them. These men became part of his inner circle and when they fully understood what he had prepared them for, them embraced it with their whole being. Whether in joy or suffering, they lived in the fullness of the light of Christ, finally understanding what he had prepared them for.

Prayer:

Lord, may preparation be a burning passion of my heart. Amen.