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Mark 9:1-8 “The Kingdom of God on Earth”

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5–7 minutes

Mark 9:1-8 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

Explanation:

Jesus then said, “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” (verse 1). Previously, he had prophesied about his return as the Son of Man. Here, he is emphasizing that some among them will witness proof that this prophecy is true.

Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him six days later and led them up a high mountain by themselves (verse 2). The fact that he took only these three disciples suggests that something significant was about to happen, similar to when he raised Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:35-43). The “high mountain” is believed to be Mount Hermon, located near Caesarea Philippi. Luke adds that Jesus went up the mountain to pray (Luke 9:28). Most likely, Jesus had the three disciples wait in one place while he withdrew a short distance to pray.

After some time, the disciples witnessed an astonishing sight—Jesus’ appearance became dazzlingly radiant (verse 3). Moreover, two men suddenly appeared beside him and were talking with him (verse 4). The disciples recognized who these two men were—one was Moses, and the other was Elijah. This reveals the mystery of the spiritual realm. According to testimonies of those who have had near-death experiences, when encountering someone in the world beyond death, they instinctively recognize them even without having met them before. Unlike in this world, where recognition is based on outward appearance, in the spiritual dimension, people seem to be recognized by their inner being.

The sight filled the three disciples with awe and reverence. After a moment, Peter spoke up, suggesting that they build three shelters—one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah (verse 5). He may have recalled Jesus’ words from six days earlier and wanted to preserve this moment, holding onto the kingdom of God that had appeared before him. However, Peter’s idea of capturing God’s presence in temporary shelters sounds almost humorous. Mark explains that Peter “did not know what to say” because he was so overwhelmed (verse 6). As soon as Peter spoke, a cloud suddenly covered them, and they heard a voice saying, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him!” (verse 7). The disciples, overcome with fear, fell to the ground, but when they looked up, everything had returned to normal (verse 8).

Meditation:

The Transfiguration event is similar to the feeding of the five thousand—a moment when the kingdom of God was temporarily revealed on earth. In other words, the hidden reality of God’s kingdom became visible for a brief moment. The three disciples were given a glimpse of the unseen kingdom of God. Through this experience, they realized that the kingdom truly exists, even though it is usually beyond human sight. This event fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy six days earlier, showing them the reality of his words.

However, Peter had not yet fully grasped the reality of God’s kingdom. That is why he wanted to build three shelters to keep Jesus, Moses, and Elijah with him. Peter truly needed not to preserve this moment physically but to open his spiritual eyes—to recognize the hidden presence of God’s kingdom in his everyday life. Once he understood this, he could live in God’s kingdom wherever he was, at all times.

The kingdom of God is this close to us. The faithful ones who lived in the past are still alive in God’s presence. If our spiritual eyes were opened, we would realize how near they are. When Jesus returns and the new heaven and new earth are established, all that is hidden will be fully revealed. Until that day, we are called to live by faith, trusting in the reality of God’s unseen kingdom.

Whenever our spiritual awareness of God’s kingdom begins to fade, God awakens our souls. The mystical experiences we encounter in our spiritual journey remind us to awaken our sensitivity to God’s kingdom. However, striving only to sustain such experiences is the same mistake Peter made when he wanted to build shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Instead of holding onto these moments, our calling is to believe in the reality of God’s kingdom and live as its people, finding contentment in the glimpses of His presence that He reveals to us.

Prayer:

“When we walk with the Lord, every place is heaven.” Lord, may this hymn be our heartfelt confession. Our daily prayer and deepest desire is to abide in you, knowing that you dwell within us. With this faith, help us to live with steadfast hearts, whether in a humble shelter or a grand palace. Lord, strengthen us to remain constant in our trust and devotion. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God’s kingdom is always near, even when we don’t see it. Like the disciples on the mountain, we may not always recognize God’s presence in our daily lives, but He is always with us. Instead of trying to hold onto special spiritual experiences, we should open our hearts to see God’s kingdom around us every day.

  • For Preschool-Lower Elementary
    • Have you ever seen something so beautiful that you wanted to stay there forever? What was it?
    • Where do you feel closest to God—in church, in nature, or somewhere else?
  • For Upper Elementary-Middle School
    • Peter wanted to build tents to keep Jesus, Moses, and Elijah with him. Have you ever had a moment you wanted to last forever? What was it?
    • What can we do to remember that God is with us, even when we can’t see him?
  • For High School
    • Sometimes, we expect big signs from God, but His kingdom is also hidden in everyday life. How can we become more aware of His presence in our daily routines?
    • Peter wanted to stay in the moment rather than move forward. Do you ever struggle with letting go of the past? How can trusting in God’s presence help you live in the present?

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