Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
After Jesus' fierce condemnation of Peter, who has tried to turn him away from his path to the cross, Mark tells us of a transcendent experience he shares with Peter, James and John. The great prophets Elijah and Moses validate his status as God's anointed one, in the same tradition as them. God himself speaks and calls him his son. Unsurprisingly, the disciples are bewildered and overwhelmed: they had been impressed by Jesus as a teacher and miracle-worker, but this was on another level entirely.
We are sometimes granted 'mountain-top experiences' of our own, when God seems very near to us and the veil between earth and heaven is lifted. These experiences are precious, but they aren't normative.
In some ways, at least in terms of our daily discipleship, what happens next is even more significant. When they go down the mountain they find a scene of confusion, anger and failure: the remaining disciples are unable to heal a demon-possessed boy.
Real ministry takes place in ordinary life and among ordinary people. It can be frustrating, irritating and exhausting. Mountain-top experiences are there to resource us for our daily work. As David Owen's hymn puts it, 'The cries of the world and the call of the cross/ Lie below in the valley again.'
God, thank you for the times when you show yourself clearly to me, when you refresh me and bless me with your presence. Help me to accept these gifts as promises of your future, and still be willing to take up my cross and follow Christ in my daily life.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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