Mark 9:7 Just then a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him.” (The Message Bible)
Things happen quickly in general in the Gospel of Mark. It is the shortest of the four New Testament accounts of Jesus’ life, only 16 chapters compared with Matthew’s 28, Luke’s24 and John’s 21. But in the end of chapter 8 and the beginning of chapter 9 things really speed up. In chapter 8 Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah and then Jesus goes on to redefine what the Messiah is and what the Messiah will do. Now in chapter nine Jesus takes Peter, James and John up on a Mountain and they see him glow radiantly and talk with Moses and Elijah. While Peter babbles about building shelters for them all, the above verse takes place. They are covered by a cloud and hear the voice of God saying, “This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him.” If you go back and read the end of chapter eight you will find Jesus talking all about his own execution and the need for his followers to take up their own cross, the symbol of execution. They didn’t want to hear such talk and neither do we. Maybe that was one reason they needed this emphatic command to listen to Jesus. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday this Wednesday. How will you listen to Jesus this Lent?
Logan Memorial Presbyterian Church 