Category: Devotions

Back to earth

Mark 9: 8 “Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. ⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰ They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. ¹¹ And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” ¹² Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? ¹³ But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”

 

Suddenly … the scene changes again.

The voice is no longer speaking. The cloud has gone. Elijah and Moses have gone. The transfiguration of Jesus has gone.

The divine is replaced with the human.

Peter had wanted to stay there forever on the mountain. But they learn that mountains are to come down from as much as to go up.

They come down to instructions from Jesus.

They return trying to understand once again what Jesus is meaning.

They have their questions trying to reconcile what they have always been taught by man with what Jesus is revealing. They use the scriptures of Malachi where it states Elijah will come first then the Messiah. They now know Jesus is the Messiah but why hasn’t Elijah come first. (In Matthew’s account we see that Jesus revealed how John the Baptist was the Elijah of their generation).

They return to what they knew. They would soon team up with the others again.

But something has changed and it is them. They had been in the cloud. The cloud changes everything.

Your life may be described as having many questions, confusion, trying to understand the shape of it, how it is meant to be, what God is doing, this may be with you for your entire life. But remember, even though it is hard to describe, even if you are not meant to tell anyone, remember what you have experienced with God. Remember what happened on that mountain. You were in the cloud. It changed you. You came out of that different.

 

 

 

Clouds

Mark 9:7 “Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

Look how similar this is to what happened previously with Moses in Exodus 24:15-16 “When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, ¹⁶ and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud.”

The disciples didn’t understand or realise the similarity at the time. They just knew what was happening to them.

A cloud appeared. Nothing unusual about that when you are up a high mountain. However, it wasn’t there and then it is. Here is change. It is predictable (it is just how life is, it is a mountain top) but when it happens it can still be noteworthy. With a cloud the sky looks different. You usually can see a cloud coming towards you but this one appeared. So though it is not strange to experience a cloud on a mountain it can seem strange for it to suddenly appear. Change can be anything but gradual or planned and even strategic for the good of everyone. It can just appear and it sometimes serves a higher purpose than the benefit of anyone around. Have you been experiencing change? It could be the cloud.

And covered them. Clouds are made up of water or ice in the air. So inside the cloud the temperature drops. When a cloud descends so does visibility which can reduce to even near zero. One of your senses can be struggling, your sight, it can become dormant because you are covered and so is the mountain top and the valley below. In fact even the people who you are with may look like they are no longer with you. Your vision has gone and solitude has set in. Have you failed? Should you give up? No, it is the cloud. You are in the cloud.

And a voice came from the cloud. The disciples were for the first time in a position to truly listen to what Jesus had been telling them and what they had been witnessing on the mountain. Sometimes God has to take something away from us or affect our lives in order to get us into a place where He wants us. So many followers are today wondering where God wants them and what He wants them to do. But they do not realise that the difficulties they have been facing is the cloud and that the best place God wants to send them is the place of hearing Him. And what is the agenda? What is the voice saying? It will always be about these 3 things:

The revelation of Jesus: This is my Son.

The recognition of His love: Whom I love.

You being a disciple of Him: Listen to Him!

If you don’t know what to say then don’t say anything.

Mark 9:5 “Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters-one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)”

If you don’t know what to say then don’t say anything.

Before they went up the mountain Peter was having a turbulent experience with Jesus. One moment he is receiving revelation from heaven of his identity and the next minute he is receiving a rebuke for being a stumbling block!
He is either looking like a disciple who understands or one who has missed the whole point.
Sometimes it’s best to keep quiet.
But Peter just has to speak.
Let’s just recap:
Before the mountain he has had revelation of who the Christ is and then he has heard from Jesus regarding his death and resurrection.
On the mountain he sees the glory of God in the transfiguration of Jesus.
He hears Jesus, Moses and Elijah talking about the departure of Jesus from this earth, of his death, resurrection and ascension.

You would have thought he would have got it! But like the others he hadn’t.

Having been rebuked for objecting he now fails by suggesting they delay Jesus’ departure by remaining on the mountain.
He really hasn’t understood anything.

Today you may not know what God is doing with you my advice is to say nothing if you don’t know.

This year has been a year of change for me and I haven’t fully understood at times what God was doing. But people needed to know the reason for change even though I didn’t know, so I told them what I thought they wanted to hear, a different version depending who was asking! It led to all kinds of rumours! I should have said nothing because there were times early on that I had nothing to say.

What have I learnt? Many things! But of importance is this: understanding is a process. If you speak out, try and make some decisive action when you do not understand then you are likely to get it completely wrong. There are seasons for inactivity and silence which need to be adhered to, waiting on God to move or to reveal more before we do. There is a time to be silent and a time to speak (Ecc 3:7). We often get those 2 things mixed up.

Peter should have shut up and watched and listened. He was learning just like us.

Why did Elijah and Moses join Jesus on the mountain?

Mark 9:4 “And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.”

We know from Luke’s account (chapter 9) that they were talking about Jesus’ departure (literally his exodus from the earth, an interesting point for Moses!). Were they talking about this for the benefit of Jesus? Was this some kind of Gethsemane moment when Jesus needed some friends of heaven to encourage him? I don’t think so, this was transfigured, divine Jesus, the glory of God was all over him. He would soon be in need but not here on this mountaintop.

Was this meeting for the benefit of Elijah and Moses? Well, maybe. For both of them were Israel’s heroes who not only were believed to have never died but they had never seen the glory of God though they had requested it. Moses was hid in the rocks as God passed by and Elijah heard a gentle whisper of God when He came to him. But here they are standing in front of transfigured Jesus, whose clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them! Here is now their moment, they get to see on earth the glory of God, the eternal Son.

Was this meeting for the benefit of the disciples and essentially for us? I would say YES!

Here with Jesus is Moses, the Law-giver and Elijah the representation of the Prophets. Soon they will all hear the voice announcing who Jesus is as He steps forward and the Law and the Prophets reach their fulfilment in Him, they become complete in Jesus.

What does this mean?

As followers of Jesus, into our surrendered life, our cross, we need to keep focused on Him.

As we do this we fulfil Gods directives for our life (the Law) and also His destiny for us (the Prophets). So as we worship Jesus today, once again laying our lives down before Him, surrendering our lives, let us acknowledge His Word and His Spirit that continue to point us to Him who gave His everything for us.

With eyes on Jesus let the Bible continue to be the lamp to our feet and the Holy Spirit be the empowerment that we need within.

What does the white appearance of Jesus show us?

Mark 9: 2-3 “After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.”

What does the white appearance of Jesus show us?

Daniel 7:9 “As I continued to watch: Thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.”

Jesus’ clothes were changed! And we are seeing Daniel’s prophetic image of the Ancient of Days (an eternal title for Jesus).
In the middle of teaching the disciples of his suffering, of calling them to the cross, of surrender and coupled with the challenge of resisting Satan’s temptation for an easier route, Jesus is transfigured before them.
He takes off his earthly revelation and the divine remains. Heaven is on the mountain. The big picture.
If you are facing the road marked with suffering today it is important you see the transfigured Jesus meaning it is important to see the big picture that one day you will realise fully you were never of this world. So your suffering makes sense or at least is bearable because you were only passing through.

John would see Jesus’ transfigured body again, this time in a vision.

Revelation 1:14 “The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.”

In the first century intense persecution of the church it looked like everything was finished. John was isolated on the island of Patmos not knowing truly how things were but realising patient endurance is a virtue that would be needed.
If you are facing uncertainty today and you feel alone then it is important you see the transfigured Jesus meaning it is important to see the big picture that Jesus was, is and is to come, He is Alpha and Omega and that He is the same yesterday today and forever. You may have many questions and you may not understand many things but you know one thing is certain – Jesus is alive!

What does the white appearance of Jesus show us?
Jesus is from another world.
Jesus is eternally alive.

There is one more ….

Matthew 28:3 “His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.”

This is not Jesus but an angel and believed to be Gabriel. Sitting on the tomb stone he had rolled away and with clothes like that of Jesus. Here is eternity sitting in the garden. It would seem the clothes of heaven are white. Perhaps a staff uniform kind of thing!
The women had arrived to try and get in not realising that Jesus had already broke out! A staff member was on hand dressed in white as snow to explain what had happened.

If you are facing the end today, the obstacles are too huge for you and you realise that you cannot change your situation, then it is important you see the angels appearing like the transfigured Jesus meaning it is important to see that Jesus can roll away any stone even that impossibility in front of you. Heaven is never far from earth.

So what does the white clothes appearance of Jesus show us?
Jesus is from heaven and came to make a way for us to go there too.
Jesus is alive and is to be relied upon in an uncertain world.
Jesus is all-powerful, nothing can stop Him and heavens armies lay testament to that, dressed like Him and declaring His glory they call us too to join the ranks and put on new garments of praise!

Who are your mountaineering colleagues?

Mark 9: 2 “After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.”

They were together in the room with Jesus at the raising of Jairus’ daughter. In the garden of Gethsemane they were taken to accompany Jesus whilst he prayed. Here they are led together up a high mountain. Three times, Peter, James and John are brought together by Jesus. It was not of their own choosing.

Often we choose our friends to walk with. But often we choose friends we like or are similar to us. Recently someone said to me they want to be accountable to people they know, they meant people they liked! Jesus chose these 3 disciples, they didn’t choose themselves based on their affection.

Who is walking with you? Perhaps God has already brought to you people that journey with you. If so, praise God! If not, then let me try and help ….

Peter would be restored after his denial of Jesus and be the main leader of the Church at Pentecost. He was known as the ‘rock’.

James, son of Zebedee, was probably older than his brother John, he was reactionary, at times wanted to call fire down on those against them. His enthusiasm for the gospel resulted in him being the first of the 12 disciples to be martyred.

John, would outlive everyone, he was there at the cross and was writing late into the first century having amazing visions on the island of Patmos where he was exiled under the persecution. He was known as the one Jesus loved the most.

So here we have Peter the strong one but who denied Jesus. Make sure who you walk with are broken people who walk with a limp, who are not ultra-victorious but vulnerable but know how to make a come-back.

We have James with his passion but who doesn’t last long. Make sure who you walk with are people with fire in their bones, energetic and enthusiastic so much so they are willing to pay the highest price and lay their lives down for the cause.

We have John who returns to the cross even though had turned away, who knows He is loved by God and can see supernatural things, images, prophetic insights into the present struggle. Make sure who you walk with are people with such love and insight into the things of God.

Pray for such people today, they may be nearer to you than you realise.

 

 

 

Mountaineering

Mark 9: 2 “After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone.”

Jesus led them up a mountain that was high. It was tough, tiring and it took time!

That’s what we know about mountains.

We also know:

1. The experience of sacrifice e.g. moments of fasting and giving. God called Abraham to a mountain range to kill his son, Genesis 22:1-2
2. The experience of phenomena, e.g. the glory on the mountain Moses was called to in Exodus 24:12-18. We have known many manifestations of God’s Spirit.
3. The experience of prayer and guidance, e.g. the prayer mountain of Jesus in Luke 6:12-13. We have found guidance from the periods of prayer we have spent with God.
4. The experience of divine call and purpose for living, e.g. the mountain of the great commission in Matthew 28:16-20. And today …
5. The experience of transformation, e.g. the glory of Christ on the mountain of transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-3. We have known the transformational work of the Spirit in our lives.

All 5 of these mountain experiences were tough, tiring and took time. But it was worth it in the end.

Are you climbing a mountain today?

 

 

Some of you will see it happen!

Mark 9:1 “And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

What was Jesus talking about? Many have commentated! Some say the First Advent; others the fulfilment of Daniel 7 and the final judgment at the Second Coming; others Pentecost and still others the Transfiguration.

The Message: Then he drove it home by saying, “This isn’t pie in the sky by and by. Some of you who are standing here are going to see it happen, see the kingdom of God arrive in full force.”

I am not going to write about what Jesus was actually referring to because as you can see above others have done that and still we don’t fully know for sure. But I choose to write about the fact that Jesus gave a promise to some of them standing there, they were “going to see it happen”.

Intercessors and their prayer breakthroughs; Pastors and their churches; Evangelists and the lost; Missionaries and the broken; Worship leaders and their songs; the list is long ….. You are going to see it happen, some of you.

If you are carrying hope and vision in your heart for God to provide, come in power, change things around, open heaven, open doors etc then there are times when you are going to need to hear this simple message … You are going to see it happen, some of you.

We all need cheering on! We all need repurposing, refreshing, reviving and all the other re-words we need!

You are going to see it happen, some of you. Not everyone. For some it was never in the plan of God anyway and for some in every generation they die in faith holding on to faith for what their eyes of faith have seen.

But for some … maybe you, you are going to see it happen!

Full force, full measure, the kingdom of God into your situation and life!!

Now that should pick you up and get you holding on again to the dreams of your heart.

 

 

Your cross and your discipleship

Mark 8: 34 – 38 “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? ³⁷ Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ³⁸ If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

It is your cross. It is on the road of your discipleship.

For Jesus it was his call, the mission of his Father. It was his purpose and destiny.

Your cross is where only you can go.

There are times when God will not be experienced and known until you agree to follow Him on your own. Discipleship can be encouraged in groups but it is always an individual walk.

Your cross will cost you.

Decisions will not cost you but discipleship will. But dead men don’t have any rights anyway. You cannot get to the altar of sacrifice with conditions attached. You have to go in silence like a lamb to the shearer.

Your cross will take you to where you have never been.

Disciples are always empowered by the Spirit when they take up their cross. (You will receive power when the Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses …)

 

 

Your cross and your friends

Mark 8: 31-34 “He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ³³ But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Your cross only has room for you.

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him

Sometimes your friends can take you aside and away from the path of discipleship and become angry with you for the road you have chosen.

But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter

Sometimes you have to take your eyes off your friend and focus on others and become angry over the obstacles that are coming against you.

He rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!”

Sometimes you have to put your friend behind you because their genuine human concern for you stands in opposition to the concerns of God. Even the most genuine concern can mask a work of Satan which needs to be opposed.