Mark 9:15  
When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him. (NLT)

As soon as the people in the crowd saw Jesus, admiring excitement stirred them. (The Message)

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This is the chapter in Mark’s Gospel where he tells the story of the transfiguration. Peter, James, and John saw Jesus in all his glory. They were told to keep this a secret until Jesus was raised from the dead. (See verses 2-14.)

If the people who were running to see Jesus, who were overwhelmed with awe, had experienced what Peter, James, and John had, it’s hard to imagine how they would have responded. Whatever the next step beyond overwhelming awe is, that’s what would have come next. 

Why were they in awe? Jesus fed large crowds and finished with more bread and fish than he started with. Jesus opened blind eyes. He healed withered limbs. He healed chronic illnesses and diseases. He powerfully removed demonic forces. He spoke with the same grace he used to heal people. 

Jesus walked on water. Jesus calmed storms. Jesus delighted people with stories about the Kingdom of God. Jesus was the best thing any of them had ever seen. They had been waiting for him, and here he was. “Admiring excitement stirred them.”

It’s Sunday, the day of worship. It’s a good day to be reminded of who Jesus is and to be stirred by him again. It’s a good day to turn our admiration into imitation. It’s a good day to begin living and loving like Jesus. 

As we sing our songs of praise and worship, as we hear his words of truth and life proclaimed, let us also learn and master his rhythms of grace and his works of mercy. Let us put on his goodness and kindness and remove all bitterness and hatefulness. 

Right after Jesus came down the mountain from the transfiguration, he found a problem his disciples couldn’t solve. A brokenhearted father asked Jesus to heal his son. Jesus responded, “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father spoke words we could all speak at one time or another. He said, 

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Whatever barriers prevent you from standing in awe of Jesus, ask Jesus to remove them. 

Whatever barriers prevent you from living and loving like Jesus, ask Jesus to remove them as well. 

Worship doesn’t end with the last Amen of a worship service. Worship is how we proceed in living what we have learned. 

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I will run to Jesus in awe so that I may learn to live and love like him.

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Our Father, empower me to live and love like you. I want my life to declare every day how good and kind you are. I will live in admiring excitement of who you are. I will live as an open book of your mercy and grace. Amen.