Peter wants to stay on the mountaintop. We, too, are tempted to live for those mountaintop experiences that come along once in a while. Instead of living for the sensational experiences perhaps we are just supposed to listen to Jesus.

The man Jesus heals in this story cannot keep his mouth shut. He talks up what this itinerate preacher/teacher/healer has done for him that Jesus practically has to go into hiding. Keeping Jesus' secret doesn't seem to be a problem for most of us today.

Jesus seems to be hindered in doing what God has called him to do for all the people who want something else from him. Do we sometimes want something other than Jesus had to give?

The reign of God has begun. Those who fished for fish will hereafter fish for people. The way they earned a living prepared them for life in the reign of God.

Nathaniel is the first person in the gospels to insult Jesus. Then Jesus praises him for it. Are the followers of Jesus known for being those "in whom there is no deceit" today?

In Mark's gospel, at Jesus' baptism the clouds don't just part. Instead, the heavens are torn open. Somthing has changeddrastically. Also, the voice of God appears to be heard by Jesus alone. What's up with that?