Walking Dead

His clothes became dazzling White, whiter that anyone in the world could bleach them.  And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.  Mark 9:3-4 (TNIV)

If we have chosen to water down the scriptures to fit a simpler interpretation to swallow, there is little need to study at depth.  We could choose to change the meaning of verses so that the implication of dead people walking was not clearly stated.  We can try to look the other way or say that Mark was talking in figurative speech.  But then our study would lose some of its healing power and ability to draw us nearer to our God.

Or we could attempt to draw some light from our time and efforts in the scriptures.  We could narrow that gap that separates us from the Divine.  Jesus was being transfigured before the eyes of His closest Disciples.  Our text says that Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking with Him.  It is impossible for us to conceive of having a person long since deceased appear and talk with us.  But that is what the Bible says.  Our God is big enough.  If He says He can bring people to life when He wants, then He can.  He is that powerful.  Would we want to belittle Him and insult Him by saying He is not that big?

Before we head down a path towards dispute, let´s check ourselves.  Each denomination or breed of Christian will have their preferred belief on where the dead go and what state they are in.  Heated disputes could break out if we offend another´s take on the issue.

However, the issue here may not be in what God can and does do.  A step in faith for us would be to grasp any truth and allow it to draw closer to Him.  Any point which provides us the opportunity to honor Him is not wasted.  The Bible is full of paradoxes and amazing spiritual wonders.  It is not a cold history book.  Within the pages we meet characters who move above the laws that govern our universe.  We learn of God who wrote the laws and maintains the order we find in our world.  He is present.  He sustains the creation He lovingly provided and saves.  He keeps the spark of life alive.  He holds everything in its place and gives the impulse to keep all in function.

We play a beautiful part in the scene of creation.  Thinking and feeling individuals may stop with their scurrying and become aware of the Being who made them.  We can choose to know this unfathomably wise and immense God.  We will not be held accountable for correctly deciphering all the hidden mysteries.  But we will be held accountable for whether we share a mutual relationship with Him.  There will come day when we stand before the throne.  We will wonder if the gate will be opened for us or if it will remain closed to us.  We will long to enter into eternity with our Lord.  The deciding factor will not be if we held the better view of where the souls of the dead people were kept.  Eternity will not rest upon how well we knew what our deceased look like, as they await the renewal of all things.  Our fate will lie on how we honored our Lord.

Dear Jesus, we would never like to belittle You.  We would lift always higher Your gift, Your love and Your power.  In lifting You we please our Father.  So when we contemplate Your transfiguration, let us lift our understanding too.  Let us use our lack of ability to picture clearly.  Let us rely on You.  Let us draw closer still, out of need for You.  Let us step in faith where our sight may not reach.  Let this humble attitude please the Father.  Let it strengthen our bond and bring us closer in relationship.  We can wait for fuller revelation.  But we cannot stand to lose a moment with You.  We accept this opportunity to believe in You when confronted with things that challenge our understanding.  We stand alone on faith in You.

Amen