As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen,
until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. Mark 9:9
The pitched roof of a house offers an image for this incident in the physical center of Mark’s Gospel. What came before was the upward movement of healing exorcisms and liberating teaching bringing victory over evil. What follows is the “downside” ‘in Jesus’ approaching suffering and death. Here for a moment we are on top of the mountain with Jesus’ closest friends. Jesus stands between Moses and the Elijah, just as Sunday stands between Saturday, the reading of the Torah, and Monday, our readings from the Prophets. Peter, wanting to stay forever in this heavenly bliss, suggests that they build booths there for the three heavenly guests.
Remember this moment of glory as the coming season of Lent and Easter begins this week with Ash Wednesday. The same Lord of glory is present in the valley of the shadow of death, just as he is on the mountain.
Bible Breaths: Learn More…
The Sunday Gospels follow the Revised Common Lectionary.
This being Year B, we are dedicated in this season to the Gospel of Mark.
These Firestarters are from the original edition. I recommend the ebook. You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet! Check the menu options at the site for more information.
The Bible Through the Seasons 