Morph Devotional

Do you remember those action figures from the early 90s called The Power Rangers? I might be dating myself, but those were amazing toys. Which was your favorite color? They would change from human form to superhero with their "Morph'in Power"! This is what is about to take place with Jesus in Mark 9:2-13.

I love this story. Six days after the first announcement of Jesus going to the cross, He took Peter, James and John (not to be confused with PB&J) up onto a high mountain to pray (Luke 9:28). Most likely, He took them up Mt. Hermon near Caesarea Philippi. I believe this is the single craziest event in the Bible outside of the resurrection. There is a new order or rule entering humanity!

In verse 2 of this passage, the word transformed is from the Greek word Metamorphisis. He changed form right in front of their eyes. This is the same word used for a believer becoming more like Christ—being transformed! Look at these passages of Scripture:

Romans 12:2—"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will."

Second Corinthians 3:18— "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

Like a flash of lightening across the sky, a blazing sword or blinding sunshine, Jesus showed His true colors. It was supernatural. Jesus asked six days earlier, "Who do the people say that I am?" Now, it was time to show them. Jesus wanted His closest disciples to experience, encounter and engage. Like Batman, Spiderman or Zorro taking off their masks, Jesus showed His true identity to the three disciples. God broke out of the human shell. Amazing!

Why did Mo and Eli show up? Jesus was announcing the end—not the end of His life, but the end of sin and bringing the final exodus! The King was here! The Kingdom had come! Moses represented the law and Elijah the prophets. Remember; Moses left this life in secret; God buried Moses; and Elijah left without dying; God raptured Elijah. Here was the kicker—Jesus showed the three closest disciples that He had come to fulfill all the law and the prophets. As Jesus previously said in Matthew 5:17, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." It was like Jesus was using a human object lesson saying, "Here are Moses, the Law and Elijah, the Prophet. I have come to fulfill all they stood for…all that the Scriptures stand for."

This is an amazing picture of Jesus being 100 percent God and 100 percent simultaneously. He limited Himself, putting on human skin; but in this scene, He takes it off for a minute to show the disciples His true identity.

I am so encouraged by this story. I think that's the point. Jesus is the King of kings. His Kingdom is here, and it is coming with fullness soon when He returns to earth. In the meantime, take the King with you and watch the Kingdom grow! Be transformed by the renewing of your mind—by eating the Scripture with passion. Be transformed into His likeness today through all your living.