And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. Mark 9:2-3 ESV
And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” Mark 9:14-16 ESV
With all the talk of revival in the news, I have thought fondly of those few times of refreshing when I have been in an “outpouring.” (Refreshing doesn’t equal revival until we see how it changes us.) The passage about the mount of transfiguration is one of my favorite texts along those lines. Boy, did those three guys get a fresh dose of God! Peter refers to it years later, “we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (2 Peter 1:16b)” One thing that always puzzled me was why did Jesus choose these three men and only these three. They seem to enjoy a place of “special” favor with Jesus. I think what happened when they came down the mountain gives us a clue.
Notice, when they encountered the other disciples, they found an argument going on. The argument stopped when the crowd saw Jesus. (People who want to argue about the methods, the places, the appearance, etc., probably haven’t seen Him lately) They were amazed by His visage (I believe His face was still shining like Moses’s was after Sinai.) His question: “What are you arguing about.” You see, that is how ¾ of disciples manage to miss the glory. They spend their time quibbling over stuff that doesn’t matter. If we want to get refreshed, we need to resign from the judgment seat and the debating society and make a decision to follow Jesus wherever that might lead.
Just for today: Let’s go to the gathering of the saints and purpose to worship, listen, and love. I’m here to glorify God and let Him transform me. Let’s stop the committee meeting in our minds that wants to discuss the facility, the sound system, the music selection, the temperature, the length of the service, the dress of the pastor, and even the quality of the teaching. Let’s gather with Jesus and expect His glory to change us into His image.
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