Mark 9_1_10 Sermon

This story takes place on the heels of Jesus teaching His disciples that the He must die and rise again. This was difficult for the disciples to hear, Peter rebukes Jesus and says “this can’t be, you came to deliver us how will you deliver us if you are dead.” Peter had a preconceived notion that the Messiah would come as a conquer. But Jesus forewarns the disciples of the cost of discipleship, they must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow after Him. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospely will save it. (Mk 8:35.) All of them would lose their lives for the sake of the gospel save one, John… He would be tortured and imprisoned.

The cross is coming and it is the pathway to glory. Glorious things were instore for God’s people and Jesus in His grace gives three of His disciples a Mountain Top experience. Something for them to draw from during those days of uncertainty, those day down in the valley. We all should learn from those Mountain Experiences because they are a special gift from God often times helping us to keep on keeping on in life and our mission.

Jesus told them plainly that He would come one day in His glory (8:38) He then makes a promise that He would soon make good on.

CPS: Jesus is always faithful to make good on His promisesand in life He gives us Mountain Top Experiences to draw from during those difficult days that awaits us.

“Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God come in Power”.

The Heavenly Vision Vs. 1-3

The Men

Who were these men?

The Mountain

What mountain? ( Hermon.. 12 miles North of C.P.) (9,000 ft ASL)

What is significant about Mountains in the OT? (place for revelation)

The Law and the passing of God’s Glory

The Master (Revealed)

Transfigured – transformed physically “Metamorphosis”

His inner manner was revealed – God!

Illustration: Caterpillar metamorphosis into a Beautiful Butterfly – destined to be

Radical changed from an “ordinary” human being into His divine being in all of His glory

Even His Clothes radically changed - Exceedingly white – Intensely white – unlike anything this word can offer ……….. As no Launder on earth could whiten them with any quality or amount of bleach

** A brightness that can only describe the Shekinah Glory of God

The Radiance, the glory, the presence of God manifested in front of them

Transition: Peter had earlier proclaimed the true identity of Jesus, “Thou Art the Christ” now He sees the true image of the invisible God the First Born of creation whom all things were made by and for!

The Heavenly Visitors Vs. 4-6

The significance of their visit

Who are they?

Both had mountain top experience (Sinai and Horeb)colorfully tell the story of the defeat of the prophets of Baal

Both had transformation experience. (reflected glory – Caught up to Glory in a chariot)

What did they Signify? Law and Prophets

Why was this important?

Their appearance suggests that the Law and the prophets bear witness to Jesus and that He is the fulfillment of the ancient Scriptures

Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. Luke 24:27

The Subject of their visit

spoke

Exodus (Luke 9:31)

The Gospel – hammer it

The sensation of their visit

Sleeping (Luke)

Terrified – (Could Peter be found with a lack of words?.... No)

Build a Tabernacle… why?

Still didn’t understand … Building 3 tab. would put Jesus on the same level with Moses and Elijah – HE IS NOT

Hinder Jesus’ purpose again …. Build a tabernacle for dwelling.. detour from the Cross

Transition: The transformation gave a preview to Jesus’ glory but the cross had to precede the return to glory.

The Heavenly VoiceVs. 7-8

Overshadowed

The source of the voice GOD!

OT. Clouds are symbols of God’s presence, protection, and authority….. Glory

These Jewish disciples would have understood this

Exodus (from the start) lead them by day (Ex. 13:21)

God provided meat (Glory of the Lord appeared in a cloud) (Ex. 16:10)

Mt. Sani as Moses met with God, a cloud covered the mountain with thunder and lightning and the people below trembled (Ex. 19:9,16)

Moses would enter into the tent of meeting the cloud would descend and hover over the entrance (Ex. 33:9)

There was no doubt that this Heavenly voice was that of God the Father.

The statement of the voice

“My beloved Son: hear Him”

Jesus’ Baptism… Beloved

Whom I love…..Isaac….

He said, “Take now your son, your only son,whom you love,Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” Genesis 22:2.

Abraham set out the next morning….. we know the story…. God spared Isaac and sent an offering (ram)

God would not spare His Son…. His only Son, whom He loved….

John 1:29 “behold”

Hear Him

Peter Shut your mouth … and listen

listen to him…. Deut. 18:15-19 (listen to Him……. Or God will require it of you)

Listen to My Son… especially what He is teaching you about His death.

You will need to understand… Jesus will not be with you physically…. He is leaving and where He is going you can go with Him ….. yet…. You will one day.

Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. Jn 14:1–3.

As suddenly as the heavenly voice rang out…. They looked around…. and present was only them and Jesus.

Application: The Disciples had been training for their mission…. Ministry…Announce… teach the Gospel….. by design Jesus gave them this Mountain Top Appearance…. To encourage them during those three difficult days when Jesus laid dead in a tomb.

It served as a reminder to them that all though He was not physically with them He was alive and in Glory and they too will receive Glory at the end of their lives (they would suffer) or the return of Jesus, whichever comes first.

The transfiguration occurring as it did soon after the first passion prediction, no doubt reassured Peter, James, and John. It does the same for us….

Sometimes God gives us mountain top experiences to prepare us for the difficulties of life and the for the fulfillment of our mission.

I can’t think of any better thing to reflect on during difficult times than your time of Baptism

Reminder….. you have died with Christ and you are no longer under God’s wrath.

You have participated with Christ in His resurrection

You walk in a newness of life…… One day because of Grace alone, through Faith alone, Christ Jesus alone you will walk anew in the Glorious Kingdom of God.

Conclusion: We see in fact that Jesus is the Son of God (1:1) and that suffering and death, while it was His purpose it was not His ultimate destiny.

His ultimate destiny is to be glorified!

The transfiguration is a preview of the FULL establishment of the Kingdom of God, as Jesus will return in power.

As He was received into heaven by a cloud …. He will return in the same way …. In Glory

Jesus is always faithful to keep His promises…… The Son of Man will return in the glory of His father.

Are you ready?

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes..

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