David Bahn – Reflections

Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” ¹⁹ And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” ²⁰ Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

²¹ And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, ²² saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

²³ And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. ²⁵ For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? ²⁶ For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. ²⁷ But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

²⁸ Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹ And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. ³⁰ And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, ³¹ who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³² Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. ³³ And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. ³⁴ As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” ³⁶ And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

³⁷ On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. ³⁸ And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. ³⁹ And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. ⁴⁰ And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” ⁴¹ Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” ⁴² While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. ⁴³ And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

We were at a Michael W. Smith concert. He is a remarkably gifted musician, composer and performer. We used to listen to his music all the time. I recall, however, at the concert that when he walked on stage, I did not recognize him. “Who is that?” I asked Diane. She said, “That’s Michael W. Smith!” or maybe, “That’s him!” I should have known. He’s smaller in person than I had expected. But boy, oh boy, could he sing! The concert was excellent! Michael W. Smith has blessed me and many people.

But Michael W. Smith doesn’t hold a candle next to Jesus of Nazareth. And even though the context is different the events of this text prompt me to reflect on just who this Jesus is. Who is this man? Do we recognize him for who he is?

Jesus asks his disciples who the people say he was, and Peter confesses, “You are the Christ of God.” Christ means anointed one. Jesus is the anointed one of God. Anointed, set aside, consecrated, ordained by God for a singular mission. He was set aside to usher in the fullness of God’s reign, the Kingdom of God. Though he would “be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed,” he would usher in the Kingdom of God, because would be raised from the dead on the third day. 

He is the one who will come in “his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Then he tells his disciples that some were standing there who would “not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” Some might think this is a prophecy that Jesus would return within the lifetime of some of the disciples. But Luke makes it clear that Peter, James, and John see the kingdom of God. They see Jesus with Elijah and Moses as Jesus’ appearance and clothing changed, shining with unborrowed light. 

But not only do Peter, James, and John get to see the kingdom of God. When Jesus comes down from the mountain he shows his reign over all things–even the evil spirits. He casts out the evil spirit who convulsed the son so that “he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him.” Luke tells us, “Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.” Then he adds, “And all were astonished at the majesty of God.”

Did we recognize this Jesus is God in the flesh? Do we see it only in the dramatic healing of the man’s son, or the majesty of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration? God’s majesty is veiled in the person, life, ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. But make no mistake: This Jesus is God’s majestic Son, Savior, Redeemer, Lord, and Friend!