Jan 6th, 2011
Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “this is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and only Jesus was with them. Mark 9:7-8
I’ve wondered why it was Moses and Elijah who showed up on the mountain with Jesus, Peter, James and John. Why not Abraham – the FATHER of Israel? Why not David – the KING of Israel? Why not any number of other OT celebrities? Why Moses and Elijah? The obvious answer lies in what and who they represent. Moses represents “the Law”. He was the original recipient and communicator of God’s law. He was the deliverer extraordinaire, he was the desert sustainer, he was many things; but first and foremost he was associated with the Law. He would represent the whole of the OT law, and if Peter, James and John had not been neglecting their homework – they’d know that.
Elijah on the other hand was one of a long line of prophets. He can be numbered with other OT favorites like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea, Malachi and a host of others. I’m not sure why, but Elijah is often named as the representative of all the other prophets. If Peter, James and John have been paying attention – they’d know that too.
Here are the two “main guys” representing the whole periods of the law and the prophets. Here are the two “main guys” who laid down and spoke often of this One who would fulfill the law in its entirety and be the fulfillment of all these century spanning prophecies. Here they are now all together. And if Peter, James and John would stop worrying for a minute about setting up tents – they’d get the point! God speaks and tells all who should be (including us) listening: This is my dearly loved Son – listen to HIM! Not that we can ignore the law, or overlook the prophets – but from now on we are to listen to Jesus – the completion of the law and the fulfillment of the prophets. God has just announced to the world that Jesus is greater than Moses (and the law) and Elijah (and the rest of the prophets)! Pretty heady stuff for 3 former fishermen to behold!
I wonder who I listen to. Am I still listening and trying to keep the letter and spirit of the law; or have I come to recognize that Jesus is greater than the law? Am I still listening to the amazing and wonderful stories of the prophets – while I ignore the One written of, spoken of, and fulfilling all those amazing stories? Am I listening to the prophets who are shouting today on FOX and CNN, or am I listening to God’s Son? Am I listening more to my own voice than God’s voice? I’m pretty sure I know what I’m doing – can I be trusted to listen to my own wisdom; or should I be listening to a more powerful voice. Today, I want to listen more closely to God’s voice. I won’t distrust my own; just temper it with what I know of God and Jesus, and how they would want me to live. I’m glad that Jesus fulfilled the law and completed the prophecies – he is therefore THE voice and THE power to be trusted above all others.

Jan. 5th, 2011
Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified. Mark 9:5-6
This encounter on what’s come to be known as the Mount of Transfiguration must have been awesome to see. Can you imagine suddenly seeing your friend transformed into some dazzling white ghost-like creature; then 2 guys appear, one who has been dead about 4000 years and the other about 3000. Of course not – no way we can fathom that. It overwhelmed Peter, and he blurted out the first thing that came to his mind – “let’s build some shelters for you guys”. Not a completely illogical response – though interesting they made no overture to protect themselves, just the 3 celebrities among them.
Peter is not so much rebuked this time, but rebuffed by God’s voice and soon the 2 long-dead saints go back from whence they’ve come, and Jesus returns to his natural state (or was that more appropriately his “natural” state – and this human one “unnatural”?). They return down the mountain and resume their ministry and teaching.
I take from this passage that what Peter proposed was not unlike what many (most) of us naturally do as human beings. We’d like to preserve the “mountain top” experiences of life. Why do we make sure and take a camera to special vacations, or family get-togethers? It is our natural human tendency to try and preserve the “high” moments of our lives. And there is nothing wrong with that. We all need mountain top experiences in life for they provide good perspective on the rest of our living. If all we did was mundane “valley” work – we’d soon tire, be bored to death, or overcome with the overwhelming needs in the valley. We need mountain experiences to inspire us, guide us, and maintain our perspective.
But, real life and ministry happen in the valleys of life. Not much grows on the top of high mountains; most growth happens in the valleys of life. Jesus intentionally took Peter, James and John up to this holy moment, partly because He needed to meet with his contemporaries, and be encouraged for the days ahead – but also partly because these three were to be the leaders of the movement after he was gone – they needed this inspiration and encouragement. But no houses would be necessary to preserve the moment. No – life is happening in the valley, so after enjoying their brief escape; it’s back to work in the valleys of people’s lives.
God, I thank you for the mountain top experiences of the year past – and I pine with anticipation for the ones to be had in 2011 – but remind me today that life happens in the valley! I’m called to help you make a difference in people today – and I want to devote as much enthusiasm and energy doing that as I give to enjoying my mountains – necessary; but no shelter will be needed!

Dec. 21, 2010
Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s”. Mark 8:33
I find this interaction fascinating. Jesus has just asked his disciples who people are saying he is. They reply, Elijah, John and Baptist, or some other prophets. He then draws the circle tighter – “But who do you say I am?” Peter jumps up as the disciple’s self-appointed spokesman: “You are the Messiah”. I wonder if he really knew what he was saying. Did this simple fisherman grasp the significance of Jesus being the fulfillment of thousands of years and hundreds of different prophecies concerning Jesus? Did Peter finally get it, after one more miracle, one more teaching, one more question? Or was Peter just spouting some answer, hoping to impress his Rabbi teacher?
We will probably never know, but what we do know is that his answer opened the door for Jesus to begin preparing the disciples for his death and departure. The next verses, and in the next two chapters, Jesus repeats his prediction of his demise. This doesn’t set well with the recently congratulated and commended spokesman Peter; so he takes Jesus aside and begins to reprimand him for making such outlandish statements!
Can you imagine this? It is so typical Peter – hot or cold – no in between with him. He is commended by Jesus for his brilliant answer; then in the next instant puts his arm around Jesus and tells him – “No master – you’ve got this all wrong – you’re not going to be killed – you’re going to establish your kingdom – and us boys are going to help you!” How rude. How stupid – and Jesus follows up his commendation with a condemnation while calling him “Satan”. Peter’s just named him Messiah, and Jesus just names him a Devil. Wow!
I wonder how many times I’ve “taken on” the Master for something He has said that doesn’t sit so well with me. I know there have been times I’ve just as brashly challenged Jesus and his ways, means, teachings, even actions. I just can’t go all the way where he wants me (us) to go. I put my arm around his shoulder, and try to straighten him out! How stupid. How often has he condemned and called me Satan? Obviously we often see things, interpret things, understand things, perceive things “merely from a human perspective”, and seldom do we see them from God’s view! As I look at this beautiful world that you have set before me today dear God – help me to see all that I encounter from your perspective, your point of view, your will – not mine…how silly…how profound.

Dec. 20, 2010
Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His eyes were completely restored, and he could see everything clearly . Mark 8:25
Interesting story of a blind man being brought to Jesus. Jesus takes him outside the village in order to heal him. I wonder why? Why did Jesus not heal him in front of the gathered crowd or the skeptical Pharisees who were at this time demanding a “proof” miracle? This might qualify. Nope, Jesus takes him alone, outside the village, spits on the man’s eyes, lays his hand on him, and asks “can you see anything now?” The man responds – “yes, I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.” Then Jesus goes for round two.
An interesting experience of healing. I don’t think Jesus always heals us instantly – and I’m not sure why. I suppose it has to do with wanting to teach us something more important or something with a deeper meaning. I have been witness to very few miracles in my life, but I’ve seen God heal some people instantly, I’ve seen God heal some folks gradually – using medicine, and doctors and even hospitals. And I’ve also seen God heal ultimately – through a person’s death. I don’t understand much of what’s I’ve seen or read of such miracles – I’m just a believer that God is still in the healing business – no matter how they come…or not!
God, my prayer today is that you’ll not allow me to settle for the miracles that leave me seeing like trees walking around, but that you’ll inspire me to press on for the second blessing – the second healing – the subsequent touch that leaves me and others completely restored and seeing everything clearly! I promise I won’t tell anyone!

Dec. 8th, 2010
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth; I will not give this generation any such sign.” So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake. Mark 8:11-13
Where were these stupid Pharisees when Jesus was just feeding the 4000, or the 5000, or while he was healing many people in the chapter immediately prior? My hunch is they were standing on the sidelines taking it all in. My hunch is this demand for a new miracle had more to do with their “test” than proving his authority. It had to do with proving his authority to them! I suspect they were saying: “Yea, maybe you can fool these gullible masses – but it will take a real miracle to convince us super-intelligent, super-spiritual Pharisees!” That’s what I see at play here.
His response to them is preceded with this deep sigh from within His spirit. I know that sigh. I know that disappointment with people for whom you have worked and labored, who still don’t seem to get it. I am acquainted with that deep sigh of disbelief, that after all you’ve done…some people still don’t get it…some people still demand that you give them something more…some people want their ‘personal’ miracle to ‘prove’ just exactly who they think and want you to be! And I know that sigh is especially agonizing because it comes most often from those who should be most able to “get it” (the super religious/spiritual) who often are standing on the sidelines, criticizing, judging, demanding their personal miracle. I wonder today; what if Jesus had struck one of them dead cold on the spot – then raised him from the dead – would that be enough of a miracle to convince them? I doubt it.
Sometimes it seems that no matter what good we do, no matter how hard we work, no matter the investments we make, no matter even the results we produce…there will always be someone who sucks the sigh from your soul by demanding something more, something different, some more proof, some new test to pass. I’m glad Jesus said “screw it – I’m done trying to convince you!” “You either get it or not – I’m moving on”.
Lord, help me move on today in the knowledge that as long as I’m doing my best to be faithful to You and my calling – you will be happy. Help me realize and even take some assurance that you are not unfamiliar with the deep sighing from my soul today. Help me find in you a compatriot who has been there – done that- and survived! I grow tired of the pettiness that too often for too many, passes as faithfulness…in their minds at least. I want to please you. AMEN