我还清楚记得，在1977年的夏天，父亲准备动心脏手术的情形。之前，他完成了手术前的各种检查；另外，我们也安排了在他入院和康复期间，家中的农场该如何运作。然而，还有另一种准备工夫也在进行中，我记得有一位动过开心手术后康复的人来探访，那人和爸爸分享他自己的亲身经历，他的话带给爸爸和我们人一女家很大的鼓励。
在今天的经文中，我们看到耶稣接待几位不寻常的客人，他们在光辉如天堂之地交谈。我们不知道他们在谈什么，但这次与摩西、以利亚，和父神的相聚，对耶稣的使命，肯定是极大的鼓励。在很多年之前，摩西和以利亚都曾在不同的时间分别在山上与神相会，那时他们的工作也因此受到激励（参看出埃及记33和列王纪上19）。
目击这次相聚的彼得、雅各，和约翰都很害怕，他们竟然亲眼见到摩西和以利亚！彼得不知道做什么或说什么才好，于是他便建议筑几座帐棚，然而在这时候，神迫切地告诉他们：“这是我的爱子，你们要听他！”
当时耶稣已经告诉祂的门徒，衪将会被杀，然后复活（马可福音8:31）。神在劝勉他们，要准备好面对将要发生在耶稣身上的改变，而他们和我们最终也同样要面对改变的。耶稣的生、死，和复活，把一切都改变了。我们有细心聆听吗？
天地的神啊，耶稣为我们成就了万事，好叫我们得到丰盛的生命，但愿我们因此受到激励。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。
马可福音 9:2-13
2 过了六天，耶稣带着彼得、雅各、约翰暗暗地上了高山，就在他们面前变了形象，
3 衣服放光，极其洁白，地上漂布的没有一个能漂得那样白。
4 忽然，有以利亚同摩西向他们显现，并且和耶稣说话。
5 彼得对耶稣说：“拉比，我们在这里真好！可以搭三座棚：一座为你，一座为摩西，一座为以利亚。”
6 彼得不知道说什么才好，因为他们甚是惧怕。
7 有一朵云彩来遮盖他们，也有声音从云彩里出来说：“这是我的爱子，你们要听他！”
8 门徒忽然周围一看，不再见一人，只见耶稣同他们在那里。
9 下山的时候，耶稣嘱咐他们说：“人子还没有从死里复活，你们不要将所看见的告诉人。”
10 门徒将这话存记在心，彼此议论从死里复活是什么意思。
11 他们就问耶稣说：“文士为什么说以利亚必须先来？”
12 耶稣说：“以利亚固然先来复兴万事。经上不是指着人子说，他要受许多的苦、被人轻慢呢？
13 我告诉你们：以利亚已经来了，他们也任意待他，正如经上所指着他的话。”
There appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. — Mark 9:4
I remember well the summer of 1977 when my father prepared for heart surgery. Medical tests were completed. Plans were made on how the family farm would work during his absence and recovery. But another type of preparation was also under way. I remember a person visiting who had recovered from open-heart surgery. That person testified to what the experience was like, and that encouraged my dad and our family.
In our Bible reading today, we see that Jesus receives some unusual visitors in the dazzling brightness of heaven. We don’t know what they talk about, but this visit with Moses, Elijah, and God the Father is surely an encouragement to Jesus on his mission. Both Moses and Elijah met with God on a mountain at different times many years earlier, and they were encouraged in their work (see Exodus 33 and 1 Kings 19).
Peter, James, and John are eyewitnesses to this meeting, and they are frightened. They can even see Moses and Elijah. Peter, not knowing what to say or do, suggests building some shelters, but then God speaks to them urgently: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
Jesus has already told his disciples that he will be killed and then rise again (Mark 8:31). And God is urging them to prepare for this change that is coming for Jesus—and ultimately for them and us. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus change everything. Are we listening too?
God of heaven and earth, may we be encouraged by all that Jesus has done to provide us full life. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
