Verses 18-20 Jesus does a lot of public ministries but he also spends time alone praying. And at this moment he has his disciples/apostles with him. Jesus reads the mind of his disciples and asks them, “who do you think I am?” They tell him the same things Herod had been hearing, maybe John the Baptist or Elijah, an Old Testament prophet. Jesus made it personal and asked, “who do you say that I am?” Peter speaks for all of them and says God’s Messiah.  Both King of the Jews and Savior of the world.

Verses 21-22 Jesus tells them not to say anything about this to others. There is a time for everything and the right time was not here yet. Jesus then reveals that God’s plan is for him, as the Messiah, to suffer, be rejected by Israel’s religious leaders, be killed, and then raised back to life on the third day. This would be the most convincing proof to everyone that He is the Messiah.

Verse 23 In light of the path Jesus was about to take, he also informs them that his followers will identify with him on their own path of discipleship. Those who want to follow Jesus must deny themselves and take up their cross daily. This is a reflection of the crucifixion that Jesus will go through. Those who were being nailed to a cross had to carry their own crosses to the place where they would be executed. For Jesus, this would be up a hill after he was already beaten and whipped. I don’t think I would have the strength. But as believers, we must submit to Jesus’ authority in our lives, even to the point of suffering and death. This is what it’s like in our daily lives to push ourselves to the limits of serving Jesus.

Believers are to put Jesus first in all things.

Verses 24-25 God’s kingdom is full of paradoxes. We learn from the world these kinds of equations in life where if I do this, then I can expect that. Jesus flips it all upside down. He says if you actually try to save your life, you will lose it. He is saying when we give our lives away to loving and serving Jesus and others, this lifestyle of self-denial and patience fulfills God’s purposes in and through our lives and we will be first in the kingdom of heaven. Those who look for the comforts in life, the easy path, or what satiates their appetite will miss out on Jesus. They will want nothing to do with the weariness that comes from bearing burdens and patience with others. Life carries daily stresses. Those who indulge themselves by trying to comfort and ease the emotions or distract their attention rather than accepting God’s Will for it has no desire or want for a spiritual life with Jesus to endure the hardships. Life is full of crosses. These crosses lay in our path and we are called to bear them, carry them, and make the best of them.

Be careful not to jeopardize salvation with secular interests. Those who seek or try to preserve their wealth, power, and success on earth while neglecting their spiritual life will not only miss Jesus here and now but also his reward when Jesus returns. His reward will far outweigh and outlast the gains in this world.

This is the call of true discipleship in Jesus’ kingdom. To be a follower of Jesus, we set aside our agenda and any efforts to preserve or save ourselves for the sake of living the way Jesus showed us and told us.

Verse 26 We cannot be ashamed of Jesus. He is not ashamed of us. If we deny Jesus in the wake of our cowardly, worldly conscience, we will miss out on the glory of Jesus.

Verse 27 Three of his disciples in a few days would experience a taste of the glory of Jesus’ kingdom in the “transfiguration.” The dictionary says this word means “a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state.” And the definition includes the Bible references where this happened. Matthew 17:2, Mark 9:2–3, Luke 9:28–36.

Verse 28-31 Here’s the transfiguration. Some think this happened at night because scripture says the disciples with him, Peter, James, and John were sleepy. These three disciples were Jesus’ inner circle and went with Jesus up a mountain to pray. We learn later that the disciples fall asleep. So as Jesus is praying, he is transformed. His clothes became dazzling white and his face changed. And then two Old Testament visitors appear in glory (an illustrious light): Moses and Elijah. Moses represented the Law and Elijah represented the Prophets. Peter, James, and John represented the New Testament. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament are centered on Jesus. Moses and Elijah talk to Jesus about what would be accomplished in Jerusalem with his death, resurrection on earth, and ascension into heaven. And the door of salvation that would open because of this.

Verses 32-33 When the disciples woke up and saw this, Peter suggested they build three shelters on the mountain for each of the glorified saints. But these saints were not staying. They have better mansions in heaven.

Verses 34-36 At that moment God the Father shows up in a cloud. In the Old Testament, God’s presence often appeared in a cloud. God would speak and lead his people with a cloud. He would also take up residency in temples and over the tabernacles with a cloud. (Exodus 40:34, 35; 2 Chronicles 5:14). Here, God speaks through the cloud. He confirmed this is His Son, the Chosen One; listen to him! And suddenly Jesus, Peter, James, and John are alone again on this mountain. They didn’t talk about what they just witnessed with anyone until after Jesus’ resurrection.

Prayer: Jesus, You are the King of Kings. You are the King of our hearts. You are the Messiah. The Chosen One. You’re the only one deserving of our praise. Every other name and throne and kingdom sits under You in our hearts. Help us, Holy Spirit, to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and submit ourselves to Your authority, Jesus. Help us not look at the suffering that is happening when we serve, but to look to You, Jesus. We want Your purposes done in our lives, Jesus. Help us to endure hardships so that patience is the fruit of that perseverance. Help us to live selfless, Jesus, bearing burdens and living patiently through life’s daily stresses. Deepen our spiritual life by empowering us to bear the crosses, carry them, and make the best of them. We set aside our agenda and any effort to preserve our lives, and lose ourselves in You, Jesus. You outweigh anything of perceived value in this world. Thank you for Your Word, Jesus. Thank you for speaking to our hearts, for removing the veil or wall that was blocking our understanding of Your Word. Thank you for your mercy, God, that looks at our sin through your love hanging on the cross for us. We look forward to the day when we meet face to face and my eyes finally see Your glory in all its dazzling wonder. In the meantime, we don’t want to be caught asleep and miss You here with us Jesus. Help us to see Your kingdom work here on this earth. In Jesus’ name, we pray all these things, Amen.