TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE
8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.
Mark 9:8–10
DEVOTIONAL
by Stephanie Reloj
“Sacrifice” often carries a weight of pain or discomfort. Think about the sacrifices you’ve made—perhaps giving up leisure time for work or prioritizing someone else’s needs over your own. These sacrifices, though difficult, are often driven by love or necessity. Just as we’ve experienced sacrifice in our lives, Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice out of love for us.
As quickly as the dazzling display of Jesus’ divinity appears in this transfiguration event, it fades away, leaving only Jesus standing beside His bewildered followers. This transition from radiant glory to ordinary appearance symbolizes Jesus’ willingness to set aside His divine splendor and embrace the fullness of humanity. Despite having the power to call upon legions of angels for defense, Jesus chooses instead to lay down His life as a sacrificial offering for our sins.
As Jesus stands once again in His human form, His impending sacrifice looms large. The path to the cross lies before Him, and He knows the agony and suffering that await Him. Yet, He proceeds willingly, driven by His boundless love for humanity.
The disciples, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of what they have witnessed, are instructed by Jesus to keep silent until after His resurrection. This command highlights the importance of understanding the full scope of Jesus’ mission—the cross and the resurrection—as integral parts of God’s redemptive plan.
Remember that Jesus willingly surrendered His glory, endured the cross, and triumphed over death for our salvation. May this profound act of love inspire us to live lives of gratitude and devotion, surrendering ourselves fully to the One who gave everything for us.
REFLECTION
Take a moment to thank Jesus for His sacrificial love. Ask Him to help you grasp the depth of His sacrifice and to live in a way that honors His gift of salvation. Let His love transform your heart and empower you to share the good news of redemption with others.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we come before You humbled by the sacrificial love of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for His willingness to lay down His life for our salvation. Help us, Lord, to grasp the depth of His sacrifice and to live in response to Your love. Guide us, Lord, to live lives of gratitude and devotion, surrendering ourselves fully to Your will. Use us as vessels of Your grace and instruments of Your peace in a world in need of Your salvation. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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