Beloved Son

We are invited to stare at the glory of Jesus in the gospel and remember the amazing love He has for us.

“And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him.’ And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only” (Mark 9:7-8).

Photo by Matt Sclarandis on Unsplash

One of the most spectacular scenes in Mark’s Gospel is the transfiguration of Jesus. Peter, James, and John were led up a high mountain to behold Jesus as He shone with radiant glory. Suddenly, Elijah and Moses appeared alongside Him— two revered figures representing the Law and the Prophets. They were talking with Jesus. Luke 9:31 adds that they spoke about His departure.

Overwhelmed and afraid, Peter suggested they mark the moment by building three tents. But just then, a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.” When the cloud lifted, Moses and Elijah were gone. They saw only Jesus.

That day, the Father made a clear statement about His Son. Jesus is the object of the Father’s love. He is the Son of the Father’s love. From eternity past, the Son has been the center of the Father’s affection and joy. This ancient love is beyond our understanding, yet it is exactly what the Word made flesh reveals and invites us into! Of the Son, the Father says, “Listen to Him.” God’s message to a dying world is that He’s not done with us! His message to the undeserving is that we, who were once alienated, can be brought near through the blood of Jesus. God’s supreme message to the world is divine love, pardon, and life through His beloved Son, Jesus! This is the message the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament had always been saying.

Peter, James, and John got a glimpse of that glory on the mountain that day, but one day, we will see Him face to face. On that day, every fear, doubt, and impurity will be gone forever. Until that day, we can behold the life-changing, hope-giving glory of Jesus by faith in the gospel. May the gospel open our eyes to the amazing love the Father has for us!