“Heaven and Hell”
This past Sunday, we gazed deep into the glorious Scripture passage found in Mark 9:1-29. In the first section of this text, Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John, showing them His glory. The text is amazing because we see that Jesus doesn’t just reflect the glory of God; He produces it. The glory of God emanates from Him. He’s the source of it. Thus, Jesus is the object of worship. He is God. Make Him the ultimate object of your soul’s worship. His glory is our soul’s deepest need. Thus Peter, though he’s scared stiff, knows that He doesn’t want to leave. He wants to stay and continue to gaze into the glory of God. This is heaven.
Then, after having this amazing “mountain top experience” with God, they return back to the hellish brokenness and chaos of life on earth. As soon as they come down, they’re plunged into confusion and evil. They return to a world full of suffering. This text, taken together with Mark 9:1-13, teaches us that worship is the way to make it through suffering. Seeking the glory of God balms our wounds. Suffering will either make you stronger or more cynical. It will either drive you toward God or away from Him. So what keeps us from growing bitter in suffering? Worshiping Jesus.