17/3 - Journey to the Cross - Mark 9:1-13

Some thoughts from our Zoom time this morning…

1. A glimpse of Jesus’ glory and power
The transfiguration fulfils what Jesus had told the disciples just days earlier—that some would see the kingdom of God come with power. For a moment, Jesus’ true glory is revealed to them. What might this moment have meant for the disciples as they continued following Jesus?

2. Echoes of the Old Testament
When the cloud descends and God’s voice speaks, it echoes moments in the Book of Exodus when God appeared in a cloud on Mount Sinai and later filled the tabernacle and temple. These connections link Jesus to God’s presence among his people. What do these Old Testament echoes help us understand about who Jesus is?

3. A reminder of Jesus’ baptism
The voice from the cloud declaring Jesus as God’s Son echoes what happened at Jesus’ baptism, when God also spoke from heaven. Why do you think God chose to affirm Jesus in this way again at this moment?

4. Why Peter, James, and John?
Only three disciples are taken up the mountain with Jesus—Peter the Apostle, James the Apostle, and John the Apostle. This raises questions about why this smaller group was chosen. What might have been the reason for Jesus including these three in such key moments?

5. A growing understanding of Jesus
This event was not an isolated miracle but one more experience added to everything the disciples had already seen. Their understanding of Jesus grew gradually over time. How does this encourage us when our own understanding of Jesus develops slowly?

6. Glory before the cross
The transfiguration gives the disciples a glimpse of Jesus’ glory before the suffering that lies ahead. It may have been meant to strengthen them for the coming events of the cross. How might moments of spiritual clarity or encouragement sustain us through difficult seasons?

7. The disciples still struggle to understand
Even after seeing this remarkable moment, the disciples still wrestle with what Jesus means about suffering, death, and resurrection. In what ways do we sometimes struggle to understand what Jesus is teaching us?

8. Human weakness and the need for the Holy Spirit
It is striking that Peter the Apostle, who witnessed the transfiguration, later denied Jesus. This reminds us that even powerful experiences do not automatically transform us—we still need the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. What does this teach us about relying on God rather than our own strength?

9. Questions about timing and meaning
Jesus speaks about some not “tasting death” before seeing God’s kingdom, and the disciples also wonder about the role of Elijah. These questions show they are still trying to understand how God’s plan is unfolding. How does this passage invite us to keep wrestling with the meaning of Jesus’ words as we grow in faith?