A Transfigured Preview of Glory to Come

Rev. Phil Hoppe, pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Finlayson, MN and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bruno, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 9:2-13. Jesus’ trip with Peter, James, and John up a high mountain recalls the Old Testament revelations the LORD gave to His people on mountains. On this high mountain, Jesus’ appearance and clothes are transformed by the divine glory that is His. The appearance of Moses and Elijah reminds us that the prophets who came before Jesus pointed to Him and His work as the Savior. Though Peter does not know what to say, the voice of the Father identifies Jesus as His beloved Son and commands us to listen to Him, particularly what He has just said about His suffering, death, and resurrection. Although the disciples did not understand it at the time, this amazing event in our Lord’s ministry invites us to see that the One who suffers and dies for us is the one true God who has all glory. “The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel account, and he never lets up the pace. As one deed of Jesus comes right after another, always paired with His authoritative Word, St. Mark proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, revealed conclusively by His death on the cross.