Mark 9:1-13

“And He said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.’” (Mark 9:1, NKJV)

Some things we never forget. Everyone who is old enough remembers what they were doing when they heard the news on September 11, 2001. It is a snapshot frozen in time. That’s what the Transfiguration was like for the disciples who saw it. Peter later wrote about the experience:

“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” (2 Peter 1:16–18, NKJV)

In all three synoptic Gospels, the Transfiguration was prefaced with the statement from Jesus that some were standing there who would see the kingdom of God. Mark’s account was most immediate: some would see “the kingdom of God present with power.” What did they see that was so present, powerful, and transformational?

It must have been extremely spectacular to see the face of Jesus, that they had come to know so well, suddenly transformed to shine as bright as the sun! Then Moses and Elijah also appeared glorious and talked with Him. Finally, they heard a voice from the glory cloud saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” With such a profound vision, they would never be the same. They had seen the glory of the kingdom of God present with power. Have we?

We have not seen with our physical eyes what they saw. But we can see with spiritual eyes what they saw afterwards. The aftereffect was that they now knew the glory of Christ, and when Jesus said He would be with them always, they understood that His glorious Spirit was always present with them in power. Do we live with such constant awareness of the glorious presence of Christ?

If we do, then we will not be afraid, for we know He is with us. When we are weak, we will lean on His strength, for He is present with power. If we feel overcome by the world, then we know we are citizens of the kingdom of God that is within us (Luke 17:21). The Transfiguration is transformational to us!

“Heavenly Father, thank you that you have allowed us to see the kingdom of God through eyes of faith. Grant to us the constant awareness that your Spirit is always present with us in power and help us to act accordingly. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”