Seeing His Glory, Hearing His Voice

This past Sunday, I had the privilege of unwrapping the magnificent scene of the Transfiguration as we continued our journey through Mark's Gospel. As Jesus took Peter, James, and John up that mountain, none of them could have imagined what was about to unfold: a breathtaking revelation of Christ's divine glory that left them simultaneously terrified and awestruck.

What struck me most as I studied this passage was that crucial command from the Father's voice: "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." In that moment, when Moses and Elijah (representing the Law and the Prophets) stood with Jesus, God made it crystal clear that Jesus alone remains as His final word. And when the cloud lifted, only Jesus remained.

It makes me wonder how often I might be missing God's voice because I'm listening for the wrong things or filtering His words through my own expectations. How about you?

Recognizing Kingdom Power in Everyday Moments

I asked a question during the sermon that I've been pondering myself all week: "Do we recognize God's kingdom when it comes with power?" While we might easily identify dramatic spiritual moments like a powerful worship experience or someone's baptism, the kingdom's power often works more subtly in our daily lives.

Try this practice this week: Set a daily alarm on your phone labeled "Kingdom Alert." When it goes off, pause for just 60 seconds and ask yourself: "Where have I seen God's kingdom power at work today?" Maybe it was patience you didn't naturally have during a difficult conversation. Perhaps it was unexpected compassion for someone who typically frustrates you. Or it might be recognizing how God orchestrated a seemingly "chance" encounter that blessed you or allowed you to encourage someone else.

By intentionally looking for these kingdom moments, we train our spiritual eyes to see what God is doing all around us. As Jesus said, some standing there would "see the kingdom of God come with power," and I believe that promise extends to us today, if we're paying attention.

Learning to Listen When God Speaks

The Father's command was simple but profound: "Listen to him." Not "listen to him and Moses" or "listen to him and your favorite podcaster" or even "listen to him and your own instincts." Just listen to Jesus.

But honestly, with all the noise in our lives — social media, news alerts, family demands, work pressures — hearing Jesus clearly can be challenging. And sometimes, like the disciples, we hear His words but don't truly understand them because they don't fit our expectations of how God should work.

Here's a practical experiment to try: Choose one statement of Jesus that has always puzzled or even troubled you. Maybe it's His challenging words about loving enemies, His warnings about wealth, or His call to take up our cross. Write it on a notecard or set it as your phone wallpaper this week.

For me, I've been sitting with Jesus' words about the first being last, and the last being first in Luke 13:30. If I’m being honest, I can get caught up in wanting to be more important than I actually am. I don’t always feel like I have to be first... truthfully, I just rarely want to be last. But rather than dismissing Jesus’ words as hyperbole or an unattainable ideal, I'm trying to simply sit with it and let Jesus speak.

Each day, instead of attempting to immediately "figure it out" or rationalize it away, simply sit with that statement for 3-5 minutes. Ask these three questions:

1. "Jesus, what were You really saying here?"
2. "What assumption of mine might be getting in the way of hearing You clearly?"
3. "How might my life look different if I truly embraced this teaching?"

This isn't about finding immediate answers but about positioning ourselves to listen more attentively to Jesus, even when (or maybe especially when) His words challenge our comfortable assumptions.

From Glory to Glory

What's fascinating about the Transfiguration is that after that mountain-top experience, Jesus immediately led the disciples back down into the valley where ministry, challenges, and ultimately the cross awaited. The glory wasn't meant to be captured in tabernacles as Peter suggested, but rather to strengthen them for the journey ahead.

In the same way, glimpses of God's glory in our lives aren't just spiritual highs to be enjoyed, but revelations that transform us and prepare us for the path ahead. It’s a path that, like Jesus', will involve both glory and suffering.

As you move through this week, may you have eyes to recognize the kingdom's power in unexpected places, ears attuned to Jesus' voice above all others, and a heart ready to follow Him both up the mountain of revelation and down into the valley of service.

After all, God's plan for creation is only Jesus, has always been Jesus, and will always be Jesus. And that's the best news any of us could ever hear.

See you Sunday as we continue our journey through Mark!

Pastor Charlie