Scripture: St. Mark 9:2-32 (NKJV)
2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a
high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His
clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on
earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were
talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good
for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for
Moses, and one for Elijah”—6 because he did not know what to say, for they were
greatly afraid. 7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out
of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 8 Suddenly, when they
had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
9 Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should
tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the
dead. 10 So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from
the dead meant. 11 And they asked Him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that
Elijah must come first?” 12 Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is
coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son
of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I
say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished,
as it is written of him.”
14 And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and
scribes disputing with them. 15 Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people
were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. 16 And He asked the
scribes, “What are you discussing with them?” 17 Then one of the crowd answered
and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. 18 And
wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his
teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast
it out, but they could not.” 19 He answered him and said, “O faithless
generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring
him to Me.” 20 Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately
the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at
the mouth. 21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to
him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into
the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have
compassion on us and help us.” 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all
things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the
child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” 25
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean
spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and
enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and
came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27
But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why
could we not cast it out?” 29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by
nothing but prayer and fasting.” 30 Then they departed from there and passed
through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. 31 For He taught His
disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of
men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third
day.” 32 But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.
Devotion
How is it that One Who was glorified by God and was so powerful as to overcome
a very powerful demon could be betrayed and killed by mere men? This was only
possible because the Son of Man laid down His life by His own power! In His
great power He would also take His life up again and rise the third day to show
He had overcome sin and death!
Our Lord’s innocent submission to death was the most profound display of power
that God has done for us. The glory of His transfiguration is directly
connected with His death and resurrection. He is worthy of all honor and glory
because He paid for the sins of mankind and brought redemption to all who would
believe and be baptized. By His death, which itself manifested a stunning
amount of power, He drove out and crushed not just a powerful demon, but Satan
himself.
This submission is foolishness to man. It cannot be properly understood apart
from faith. But thanks be to God that He reveals this glory to us through faith
in His Word! When His Spirit opens our eyes we are able to understand how the
history of God’s works and promises among man were fulfilled in His submission
to death. The sins of us all, from Adam and Eve to each one of us, were paid
for by His blood. And so we have the glorious forgiveness that comes from His
powerful act. This is why the cross of Christ is even more glorious than even
the transfiguration or His greatest miracles. God loved us and gave Himself to
save us in this!
We pray: Lord God, all thanks, glory, and honor to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
on account of Your powerful mercy in Jesus Christ! Help us to always understand
and live according to the blessings of our salvation in Him. Amen.
The Lutheran Herald is a publication of the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of
North America. These daily devotions are authored by the bishop, pastors, and
deacons of the diocese. Daily posts are provided by The Reverend Jeffrey A.
Ahonen.
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