A Glimpse of Jesus’ Glory

Introduction

King Hamza needed a steward to manage his wealth and treasures. As he pondered the best way to find which of the three men he was considering would be a good choice for the job, one of his counselors suggested a plan. "Your Majesty, you know how vast and impressive the vault of jewels beneath the palace is, even to those accustomed to great wealth. "I recommend that you take each man in there, one at a time, and see how they respond. By this you will know, in your wisdom, which will be the best steward." King Hamza liked the plan, and that evening he took the first of the men into the glittering vault. "This is amazing, your Majesty! Imagine what great awe a sight of these treasures would inspire in your subjects and enemies alike." As King Hamza watched the second man catch his first glimpse of the treasures, he saw a look of covetousness or contempt - he wasn't sure which - cross the man's face. After that, the man's attempt to gain the king's favor did no good. When the third man saw the vast array of jewels and treasures, he caught his breath. He turned to King Hamza and with a look of awe and love, praised his wisdom and skill for acquiring these treasures without boasting of or spending them. Which of the three would you have chosen? Our response to a glimpse of Christ's glory tells a lot about us. Study Mark 9:1-13 to catch a glimpse of His glory and see how you should (and shouldn't) respond to it.

Observation

Pray

Before studying this passage of God's Word, ask Him to show you His glory and teach you how to respond in a way that pleases and honors Him.

Read Focus Verses

Read Mark 9:1-13 and pay attention to what happens in these verses.

Main Character

Who is the main character of these verses?

Keyword - Jesus

Marking Jesus' Name and the references to Him will help Him stand out to you as the main character.

Jesus Christ

Mark Jesus' Name and the references to Him in Mark 9:1-13.

Sidekicks

Who came with Jesus?

Other Characters

Which other characters appear in the story?

Explanation

In verse 1, how does Jesus explain what was going to happen?

Where?

Where does all of this take place?

What Happened?

What is the main thing that happens in these verses according to verse 2?

Keyword - Transfigured

Transfigured is a keyword of these verses and helps us quickly see what's going on here.

Transfigured

Mark the word Transfigured in Mark 9:2

Appearance

What did Jesus look like after He was transfigured according to verse 3?

A Visit

What were Moses and Elijah doing?

Peter's Suggestion

According to verses 5-6, what was Peter's suggestion? Why did he make it?

God's Response

What was God's response to Peter's suggestion in verse 7?

After

What happened next in verse 8?

Instruction

What did Jesus instruct them as they came down from the mountain?

A Question

What question did they ask Jesus in verse 11?

Jesus' Answer

How did Jesus answer them in verses 12-13?

Interpretation

Transfigured

Take a closer look at the word transfigured.

Another Perspective

We read more details about Jesus' appearance in Matthew 17:1-2.

His Face

What detail does Matthew add that Mark didn't include?

A Preview

As we read the account of Jesus appearing to John in Revelation 1:12-18, we see that the transfiguration was a preview of His resurrected glory.

Nothing New

In Jesus' prayer in John 17:5 we see that this glory was nothing new to Him.

Hidden Glory

Philippians 2:5-11 explains why Christ's glory was hidden for almost all of His life on earth.

Like Us

In Hebrews 2:9-18 we find further explanation for why He laid aside His glory for a time.

Why?

Why did God the Son lay aside His eternal glory for a time?

His Glorious Body

The transfiguration not only gives us a glimpse of how Christ will appear when we see Him, it gives us a glimpse of how Christians will appear with Him as we see in Philippians 3:20-21.

Like Him

1 John 3:1-3 confirms this and tells us how it should impact our lives.

Impact

Revelation 3:4-5 adds to this motivation.

Living Like It

How should Christians live because of this promise of being like Christ?

White Robes

Revelation 7:9-14 tells us who will wear these white robes.

Whiter than Snow

Isaiah 1:18 picks up on the word picture of whiteness.

Obtaining Forgiveness

In 1 John 1:9 we learn how to receive this forgiveness that makes our hearts whiter than snow and prepares us for those shining white robes in heaven.

Made White

How can we have hearts made white like Christ's garments?

Why Moses and Elijah?

This quote from GotQuestions.com helps us understand some of the significance of why it was Moses and Elijah who were chosen for this special event. "Symbolically, the appearance of Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets. But God’s voice from heaven – “Listen to Him!” - clearly showed that the Law and the Prophets must give way to Jesus. The One who is the new and living way is replacing the old – He is the fulfillment of the Law and the countless prophecies in the Old Testament."

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A Request

In Exodus 33:18-23 we find Moses asking God to show him His glory.

Moses' Response

Exodus 34:5-9 shows us Moses' response to the meeting.

Another Glimpse

In Isaiah 6:1-8 we see another person receive a glimpse of God's glory and respond.

Responses

Peter's response is not a model, but Moses' and Isaiah's are. How did they respond to seeing a glimpse of God's glory?

A Wise Word

The wisdom of Proverbs 10:19 can help keep us from repeating Peter's error.

Another Thought

Proverbs 17:28 adds another motivation to this advice.

Don't Speak Without Understanding

What advice do these verses give us when we don't know what to say?

My Beloved Son

What did God say about Jesus Christ in verse 7 of today's passage?

Once Before

God audibly spoke from heaven once before in the Gospel of Mark and said something similar in Mark 1:9-11.

Listen to Christ

What command did God give us in His words to Peter in today's passage?

Remembering

Peter never forgot this as we see in his second letter to the church - 2 Peter 1:15-21.

About the Bible

What does Peter say about the Bible in these verses?

A Question about Elijah

When the three disciples asked Jesus about Elijah coming before the Christ, they were referring to the prophesy in Malachi 4:4-6.

John the Baptist

We see this passage referred to in the message sent to Zechariah about his son, John the Baptist in Luke 1:11-17.

This is the One

In Matthew 11:11-14 Jesus Christ publicly confirmed that John the Baptist was the one who came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for the Messiah (or Christ - both mean Promised One) - Jesus.

Understanding

Matthew's Gospel again gives us a little extra detail about the events of today's passage in Matthew 17:10-13.

Elijah

Who came to fulfill the prophesy of Malachi?

Once More

Read Mark 9:1-13 once more and pay special attention to what it says about the Lord Jesus.

Jesus

What do these verses tell us about the Lord Jesus?

Application

His Glory

How are you going to respond to this glimpse of God's glory you've had today through studying these verses?

His People's Glory

If you are a Christian, you've also had a glimpse of the glory you will share with Him someday. Is there something in your life which is not consistent with His purity and the white robes He will give you someday? How will you change that today?

Your Glory

If you are not a Christian, He wants to wash your sins away, make your heart whiter than snow, and prepare a white robe and a crown for you for eternity. Will you admit your sin, repent of it, believe that He died and rose again for you, and ask Him to forgive and save you? He promises to save you if you will come to Him in repentance and sincerity.

Wrapup

Closing

We hope that this study plan has helped you glimpse more of Christ's glory and has challenged you to live worthy of the white robe He has prepared for you.

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