Recognition to Faith

Last Sunday, Alan preached using the Transfiguration text as the basis of his sermon.  

Look at this verse, which is Mark 9:9 -- As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Have you ever wondered about that? Why would they need to keep silent about what had happened?

Alan preached that the experience on the mountain had moved them from recognizing Jesus as Messiah (which had just happened) to Knowing Jesus was the Messiah. That transformation in their faith would transform them.

Think about that. Faith is assurance. It isn't believing - it is KNOWING. Seeing what they saw, they would not just recognize him, but they would KNOW who he was.  The faith would change how they lived - their lives would become a witness to the Christ - and probably be even more convincing than their words ever could be.

Are we that convinced? Do we have that kind of faith? Do our lives witness to it, more than our words ever could?