Read Mark 8

Highlights:

4,000 fed; leaven explained; Peter's confession of faith; death and resurrection foretold; transfiguration; warning of hell.

And after six days Jesus taketh with Him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and He was transfigured before them (Mark 9:2).

During the previous six days Jesus and His disciples had been at Caesarea Philippi (Matt. 16:13; 17:1). Six signifies the number of man and his efforts. The next day was the seventh, the number of perfection, typifying Christ transfigured in all His glory, in the presence of Moses and Elijah. Elijah went to Heaven without dying, and Moses, though spoken of as having died, was removed by God Himself. His body was under special care of Michael the Archangel (Jude 1:9).

Although our Lord came into the world and took upon Him . . . the likeness of men (Phil. 2:7), at His transfiguration, He appeared as the glorious, eternal Son of God.

The Holy Spirit directed Matthew to write: His face did shine as the sun (Matt. 17:2), and Luke was inspired to write: The fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering (Luke 9:29), meaning He radiated with the matchless glory of His deity.

The purpose of this glorious, momentous event seemed to commemorate the sufferings of Christ — His death and resurrection — and to honor the Messiah, the promised Savior of the world. For they spoke of His decease (departure), which He should accomplish at Jerusalem (9:31).

The three apostles stood before the former great exponents of the Law and the Prophets, Moses and Elijah, great men of God. But Jesus was the fulfillment of both the Law and the prophets. Christ, by virtue of His sinless perfection as the virgin born Son of God, is far superior to the most godly men of history.

Peter made the mistake of suggesting that they build three tabernacles — one for Moses, one for Elijah, and one for Jesus. So many people today make a similar mistake and miss the Lord's best because they place too much importance on great speakers, popular tapes, and books, instead of seeking Christ through His Word. However good and helpful these may be, they cannot possibly take the place of personally reading the Bible — the one true source of spiritual life and growth!

The voice from Heaven still says: This is My beloved Son, hear Him (Mark 9:7).

Thought for Today:

The worship that Christ deserves cannot be directed toward man.

Cross References:

For Mark 8:18: See Ezek. 12:2. Mark 9:44,46,48: See Is. 66:24.

Word Studies:

9:3 fuller . . . can white them, launderer can bleach them; 9:12 set at nought, rejected; 9:13 whatsoever they listed, whatever they wanted; 9:45 halt, crippled.

Prayer Suggestion: Read, study, and listen to the Word of God so that your prayers will be answered (Prov. 28:9).

Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 139:7-8