Mark 9:1-13 "The Transfiguration"

Good morning Calvary Chapel Lake City!

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving…

It was nice hearing… at our Friendsgiving… what some of you shared you were thankful for…

And there truly is much to be thankful for.

Please turn in your Bibles to Mark 9. Mark 9:1-13 today.

We left off in Caesarea Philippi… where Jesus asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” and Peter proclaimed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

And, as the Christ… the Messiah… Jesus would fulfill prophecy and fulfill the Father’s will to conquer sin and death in order to redeem all mankind who place faith in Him.

These were concepts the disciples did not understand… so Jesus took this time to teach them.

Still… Peter could not fathom Jesus suffering and dying… therefore Peter rebuked Him saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

But these things had to happen… and any teaching contrary to the cross… was philosophically Satanic.

Thus, Jesus rebuked Peter saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

God’s thoughts, ways, and will are not in harmony with the things or interests of mankind.

His ways are higher than our ways…

And, Jesus had a role to fill… that of the Messiah… the suffering servant in this first advent of Christ.

The disciples also had roles to fulfill… so Jesus called the people and His disciples to teach them about true discipleship…

“Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Jesus would teach them even gaining the whole world, but losing one’s own soul is a bad deal…

A time is coming when the Son of Man will return… and each person will receive their reward for what they did… with the Christ… in this lifetime.

We pick up where Jesus takes Peter, James and John up on a high mountain where they witness “The Transfiguration”… our sermon title today.

This is a most significant messianic event which confirms Peter’s confession (You are the Christ)… and fulfills Jesus’ prediction in Mark 9:1.

Let’s Pray and then take a look!

In reverence for God’s word, please stand.

Mark 9:1-13 “And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”

2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—6 because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.

7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 8 Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.

9 Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant. 11 And they asked Him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

12 Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.”

Praise God for His word. Please be seated.

V1 is part of the previous scene in Mark 8, where Jesus was teaching His disciples about discipleship…

But, this verse does serve as a transition verse from Caesarea Philippi to the Mount of Transfiguration where some of the disciples… as stated in V1 would “not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”

In context, this points to the transfiguration where three of the disciples would get a glimpse of ‘the kingdom of God present with power.’

At least that’s one interpretation of Jesus’ words in V1…

Not surprising, there are other interpretations to V1… as Jesus makes a rather enigmatic statement here.

Jesus says some will not “taste death” which metaphorically speaks about violent death…

Some of these disciples would not personally experience a martyr’s death until they were eyewitnesses of God’s kingdom come in miraculous power.

And given the context… it seems best that the “kingdom of God present with power” in V1 refers to what we see in VSS 2-8… the Transfiguration…

In V2, after tarrying perhaps in Caesarea Philippi for six days following the prediction of V1… on the seventh day Jesus would then lead three of the disciples to a mountain on high…

Which is an unnamed mountain… but just 12 miles northeast of Caesarea Philippi stands Mount Hermon at 9200’… which seems the likely location.

A different tradition holds Mount Tabor in the Galilee as 1800’ is the other mountain…

In fact in 1924 a Catholic church was built there called “The Church of the Transfiguration”…

But there are several arguments against this location…

This was not a high mountain…

In 219 B.C., Antiochus III build a fortress on top of Mt. Tabor, and it’s thought Romans continued to occupy this fortress in Jesus’ day… so not an ideal location.

Plus, Mt. Tabor 54 miles from Caesarea Philippi… a far distance to cover in 6 days… versus just 12 miles to Mt. Hermon…

So, I don’t imagine Mount Tabor to be the location. Mount Hermon is preferred.

Three disciples accompanied Jesus… Peter, James, and John.

There was the broader group of disciples… men and women… then 70 sent on missions… then the Twelve… and then these three… Jesus’ inner circle.

And, was there something special about these three?

When examining the times Jesus is alone with these three… there is a common thread.

Peter, James, and John accompanied Jesus into the home of Jairus’ daughter where He raised her from the dead… they’re here at the Transfiguration… and they join Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane…

They were present for some of Jesus’ greatest miraculous moments… of Him in glory… and His darkest trial.

Were these times of preparation for these three?

Peter who’s life and ministry is recorded in the first half of the book of Acts where Peter was used as a leader and missionary for the early church.

James and John… the bold Son’s of Thunder… brothers who in Matt 20:22 expressed willingness to drink of the cup… symbolic of suffering and martyrdom…

And, then would… James would be the first martyr of the early church…

Acts 12:1-2… slain by the sword of Herod.

And, John would have the martyrdom of long life.

The last of the twelve to die… he would be exiled in Patmos for his faith (Rev 1:9)…

Knowing the special roles these Apostles would play… did Jesus take them aside during these times to prepare them?

That’s one theory.

The other theory is just the opposite… Peter, James and John were three that Jesus kept close because sometimes a wise teacher keeps certain students close and gives them special assignments.

I remember my third grade teacher, Ms. Bundy… had me move my desk right next to hers…

Which wasn’t an honor… it was because I wouldn’t stop talking and goofing off…

And, I’m sure many of you are surprised… that I was that kid…

Peter was too… his motto was “ready, fire, aim”… he was impulsive at times… and spoke out of turn…

Just in the previous scene Peter rebuked the Lord, and was rebuked in return.

And, James and John most likely got their nickname, the “Sons of Thunder” for their general fiery disposition… as clearly seen in Luke 9 when they suggested to Jesus to let them command fire to come down from heaven to consume the Samaritans.

Jesus rebuked them as well.

So, which was it… was Jesus keeping these guys close to keep them out of trouble… or investing further in them because of who they would become?

I like to think both. Because so often that how our God works.

Why do you think He called me to be a Pastor?

Paul knew a little bit about this as well… on the road to Damascus to destroy Christians… Saul was blinded by the glory of the Lord… and radically transformed into the greatest Missionary of the church…

Who would write about how God uses us troubled souls… for His purposes and His glory…

Paul wrote in 1 Cor 1:26-29 “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.”

When God takes a person who the world has devalued… perhaps even a person who has lived such a life that they are seemingly deserving of being devalued even by worldly standards…

And God transforms them… and they do mighty works for Him…

It puts to shame… or humiliates those held in high regards…

When a nothing… does an amazing something for the glory of God… the world is shocked… and God gets the glory…

Because that person has a reputation of being a fool… Gk mōrŏs by def. “dull, stupid… a blockhead.”

The etymology or root of our English word “Moron.”

One of the best moments in scripture is when God used Peter and John to heal the lame man at the Temple gate called “Beautiful.”

Which opened a door for Peter to preach Jesus… and the church grew from 3,000 to 5,000.

As they were speaking, the religious leaders had them arrested, and standing before the Sanhedrin… it was recorded in…

Acts 4:13, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”

That word “untrained” in Gk. is idiōtēs… you can almost speak it in English… idiot… and indeed it is the root word for our English word.

These idiots made the religious elite marvel… and glory went to Jesus.

Even though they were unlearned fishermen… they were simple enough and wise enough to say ‘yes’ to the call to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Jesus.

And, maybe your just the right kind of fool or moron or idiot to be in the same league with those guys.

I know I am!

God doesn’t rely on personality assessments… and long interview processes… nor the sharpest resumes… or letters behind your name…

God looks for fools for God… who will preach “Christ crucified” because that message is a foolish message in the eyes of the world.

But to the called… “Christ… is the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Cor 1:25)

If we chose the Twelve Disciples… our dream team would probably look vastly different than who Jesus picked… probably vastly different than you and I.

But, the Lord chose the Twelve… and He choose you and I… and this was NO mistake.

It was NOT a mistake that He called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light… and you stand as a testimony to bring Him glory and to proclaim praises to Him…

1 Pet 2:9 states, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…”

And, when you’ve truly experienced the grace of God in your calling… what else is there to do except to praise the name of Jesus.

No doubt… Peter, James, and John… they had moments of failure… moments of impulsivity… of self-centeredness… even murderous intent…

But, they remain His inner three… and they would go on to fulfill their roles for His glory…

And, so back in V2… these are the three… that Jesus leads up on a high mountain where He was transfigured before them.

The word “transfigured” in Gk. is metamorphoō… like our English word “metamorphosis.”

By def. “to transform” not merely in appearance… but a change in outward form that comes from inside.

Like a caterpillar… who’s form of a butterfly will be revealed after a metamorphosis.

The form of Jesus in this scene… went through a similar change… where the divine glory inside of Him was revealed… after a metamorphosis.

Glory was always there… present inside the God-man… now witnessed by Peter, James, and John.

Jesus had told them about the role of the Messiah… to suffer, be rejected, die and rise again…

And, how they as disciples would need to deny self, take up their cross, and follow Him… in order to live… they would need to die.

NOW, He will reveal to them what is on the other side… Glory.

In Rom 8:18, Paul wrote, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

A very appropriate cross reference for all the disciples were learning… of His role… of their roles… and of what’s to come.

A good reminder for us as well.

This word transfigured / metamorphoō is used in reference to Jesus’ transfiguration…

But there are two other verses where the alternate definition “transformed” is applied… and in those verses the transformation relates to what happens to believers… our transfiguration.

Rom 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

This speaks about the transformation in our lives. As we are totally committed to the Lord… our minds will be transformed and renewed or renovated to think how God thinks… basically to be in alignment with what we read in His word.

And, 2 Cor 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

When Moses came off Mt. Sinai from meeting with God in Exodus 34… his face shone… or sent out rays… there was a radiance upon it from the glory of God… but it was a diminishing radiance… and Moses veiled his face so the tribes of Israel did not see the glory fading.

But, we need no veil… for we are being transformed into Christ’s image… and our glory is everlasting… the NIV translates “from glory to glory” as “ever-increasing glory”…

2 Cor 3:16 states, “...when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away...”

When the veil of unbelief is removed… at that moment, this process of ever increasing glory begins…

That’s what’s happening to us… and our transformation will be fully realized… as we step out of this lifetime… and into glory…

This is a great hope for us… we have much to look forward to.

Sometimes in life… it’s difficult to realize all that is happening to us…

Sometimes it doesn’t feel like we are being transformed from one stage of glory to another…

But we are… God is moving us from justification… to sanctification (our present reality)… to glorification…

Our transfiguration.

Going back to Jesus’ transfiguration… V3 states, “His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.”

When Jesus was transfigured…

Matt 17:2 records, “His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.”

It’s not that light shined down on Him and He reflected the sun… but His face was bright like the sun.

Even brighter then the sun… for as Paul shared his testimony of encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus… in Acts 22:6 Paul wrote “… about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me…”

God’s glory was brighter then even the mid-day sun! That’s bright!

And, this is consistent with what we read in Rev… describing the eternal city of God…

Rev 21:23 states, “The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.”

So, you can imagine just how bright God’s glory is… you can imagine how Peter, James, and John had to squint and shield their eyes with their hands…

This was so much to take in…

Luke 9:29 records, “As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.”

I love that detail… His transformation occurred while He prayed… amazing and eternal things happen during our times of prayer.

His face was altered… and His clothes…

Were “white, like snow”…

… which looks back to Dan 7:9 the Ancient of Days… who’s garment was white as snow…

Helping us to understand that Jesus is divine.

And, His clothes shone brighter than any launderer… no professional laundry service could render clothes this white.

You can imagine the white robes… the white garments we will receive... in Revelation… when we enter into glory… they will be pure white…

Such marvelous pictures of what we can expect in Heaven… in glory… seeing God face-to-face… beholding His glory… reflecting His ever increasing glory… us being transformed into the same image… from glory to glory… ever increasing glory.

What a privilege Peter, James, and John had in this moment… to catch this glimpse…

And… I’m sure does not fully capture the majesty of what’s to come.

In 2 Cor 12, Paul… when he was caught up to the third heaven… into Paradise… and heard “inexpressible words… not lawful for man to utter”…

Paul didn’t even try to describe what he saw and heard…

Words would not do it justice.

Paul was awestruck by heaven… the eternal destination of all who place their faith in Jesus Christ.

If you’re not saved… get saved today… and that will be you’re hope too.

In V4, we get another glimpse of the realities of heaven… Moses and Elijah appear to talk with Jesus!

Moses and Elijah have now both tasted glory, and now have a new perspective on eternal matters… and can speak clearly into the subject of redemption.

They talked with Jesus by def. “conversed or conferred” … the Gk seems to indicate this was a long conversation.

One I would have loved to hear…

Moses was forbidden to enter the land of Canaan… the Promised Land…

It’s nice to see that he was permitted to enter the ultimate promised land.

Some connect Moses and Elijah to the Two Witnesses of Rev 11… as both demonstrated miraculous signs and wonders… much like the witnesses in Rev 11.

Others argue Enoch and Elijah… and there are good arguments for both.

But staying in context… why specifically Moses and Elijah appearing here at the Transfiguration?

These are two men from the Old Testament who held significant roles.

Moses was Israel’s deliverer 1400 years prior… and is accredited with receiving from God the Law and then transcribing it. The first five books of the Bible… known as the Torah in Hebrew… or the Pentateuch in Greek.

Also referred to as Mosaic Law or the Law of Moses…

So, Moses stands here as a representative for the OT Law.

Elijah was a defender of Yahweh 900 years prior… and Mal 4:4-5 writes of his future coming… when he comes before the “great and dreadful day of the LORD” to turn the hearts of fathers to the children and the hearts of children to their fathers.

He will restore all things. And being one of the most noteworthy of all the prophets… Elijah stands here as a representative of the Prophets.

And, it is most appropriate that the Law and the Prophets… would be here to talk to Messiah… for the entirety of the OT testified of Jesus.

When Phillip found Nathanael, in John 1:45 Phillip said, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth...”

In John 5:39, Jesus said to the Jews, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”

Jesus was not contrary to the Law and the Prophets… there was no debate between Jesus and the OT… they were in harmony…

In Matt 5:17 Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

The Law was purposed to point people to Christ… Gal 3:24, declares “… the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

And, the Law and the Prophets was time sensitive… the Legal Dispensation… was from Moses to John…

In Luke 16:16 Jesus testified of this, “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.”

And a new dispensation was about to be birthed… The Church Age…

And, now… a time had come… the moment was upon them… the reality of the Messiah was here.

Jesus thus speaks with the Law and the Prophets… Moses and Elijah…

Moses ministry and the Exodus was around 1400 A.D.... and since that time… the righteous plan of God was foretold in types and shadows of the sacrificial system that required the shedding of blood for atonement…

Prophecies foretold of the Messiah to come who would fulfill the righteous requirement.

The Law and the Prophets stood as a witness of God’s righteous plan of redemption through faith in Messiah.

Rom 3:21-22 testifies, “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.”

Biblical history is HIS-STORY… it’s all about Jesus… it’s the History of Redemption…

And, the time had come… the cross was before Jesus… this is His final year of ministry… the final Passover was ahead… He would become the Passover Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

And, Moses and Elijah were present on the Mount of transfiguration… representing the Law and the Prophets that foretold this moment… to speak to Jesus about His coming death.

That’s what the parallel account in Luke 9:31 states, “Moses and Elijah… appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”

The Law and the Prophets came to speak about Jesus’ decease… His death… Lit. His departure…

The word in Gk. is ĕxŏdŏs. They came to speak about Jesus’ exodus.

The Exodus pointed to the Passover lamb… and 1 Cor 5:7 states, “Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”

Moses and Elijah were present in this glorious moment… the Transfiguration… to speak to Jesus about what He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

Can you imagine... witnessing this moment?

What would you say? What would you do? I’m confident I would just soak it in… in silence.

But, not Peter… look at VSS 5-6… “Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles [or tents]: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—6 because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.”

Now before we get into the folly of what Peter says… might I just point out a two eternal assurances we can glean from these verses…

First, this is a confirmation that eternity is real… Moses and Elijah are alive.

The same is true about Abraham and Isaac… regarding them and God… Jesus said in Mark 12 “He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living.”

So, there’s one assurance.

But, also… notice that Peter recognizes Moses and Elijah…

And, I don’t read that there was a formal introduction by Jesus… “Peter… Moses and Elijah; Moses and Elijah… Peter.”

Also, I don’t read that Moses and Elijah were wearing name tags.

These could have been any two guys with beards… and I bet they had great beards.

What this tells us… not about the beards, but Peter recognizing Moses and Elijah… is in glory… we will know one another.

1 Cor 13:12 reads, “Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”

I imagine as we enter into glory we’ll see relatives… all being around the age of becoming an adult… around age 30 in Jewish reckoning…

And, we’ll recognize them… just as Peter recognized Moses and Elijah… Prophets he had never met.

This is such a reassuring passage knowing there is life after death… and we will know and be known.

Now… about Peter’s contribution here… if you want to call it that… I’m not sure why Peter answered, because I’m pretty sure they weren’t talking to him.

Luke tells us the three disciples were “heavy with sleep”; and when they were fully awake, they saw Jesus’ glory along with Moses and Elijah. And, as Moses and Elijah were “parting from Him”… Peter spoke up…

They were sleepy… and then awake to the glory of the transfiguration… with Moses and Elijah present… a most overwhelming and awesome experience.

And V6 in Mark states Peter did not know what to say… and that they were greatly afraid.

And, there are some situations… when our brains don’t know what to do… some situations where you are not sure what to say…

And, some people just can’t take it… they have to say something… like their words will augment the experience…

But, there’s an old saying, “Don't talk unless you can improve the silence.”

That saying was coined in the 1900’s though… Peter had never heard it…

And so Peter impulsively chimes in… “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here...”

Chuck Smith said, “Isn’t that typical? You don’t know what to say, so you feel like you need to say something, and then you say something stupid.”

Pro 17:28 reads, “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

And, as much as I love Peter… it was foolish for him to try to add to this scene…

Luke records that after Peter suggested to build tabernacles, that Peter did not know… he did not realize what he said.

So often man’s best intentions only pollute the work of God.

Peter suggest Moses and Elijah not depart, but settle there in tabernacles that Peter, James and John will erect.

Greatly impacted by this experience… it seems… His desire is to prolong the event.

“Forget this business about suffering, rejection and dying… let’s just stay right here with Jesus in glory.”

Does Peter think Jesus’ reign is beginning? That the Kingdom of God is being ushered in.

And, ties the Tabernacles to some OT event… like the tent of meeting where God to communicated with man?

Or, tabernacles from the Feast of Tabernacles?

But, Peter… whether knowingly or unknowingly… placed the Law and the Profits on the same level as Jesus… as equally important…

But, they are not… Jesus is pre-eminent… over and above… superior.

And, in this moment… in V7… a voice from heaven chimes in rebuking Peter…

We read, “And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

A voice from a cloud… which no doubt is the voice of the Father in heaven… interrupts Peter… and redirects all attention to Jesus.

The voice of Jesus… the beloved Son is the voice above all other voices they should hear.

Certainly above the voice of Peter. But also above the voices of the law and the prophets.

And why a cloud? Why does the Father speak from a cloud?

Spurgeon wrote, “When God draws near to man it is absolutely necessary that his glory should be veiled. No man can see his face and live. Hence the cloud, in this instance, and in other cases.”

Interesting… the cloud stands as a veil protecting our frail physical form from the glorious presence of God.

And, there are so many times God choose to veil His presence with a cloud…

All we have to do is think back to the many OT references to God’s Shekinah glory being associated with a cloud to answer that question.

Numerous times in the Book of Exodus we see God’s presence manifested in a cloud…

Exo 13: During the wilderness wanderings a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night… to protect and guide Israel.

Exo 16 & 19 and other places: the glory of the LORD appeared in a cloud and spoke to Moses for all Israel to hear and believe.

Exo 33: the pillar of cloud descended upon the tabernacle and stood at the door…

And, through Leviticus, Numbers, Kings, Chronicles, Ezekiel… the cloud is associated with the presence of God.

Even in the NT, besides here at the Transfiguration…

When Mary asked for clarity about the immaculate conception… the angel responded, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you...” (Lk 1:35)

When Jesus ascended to heaven, it was “a cloud” that received Him (Acts 1:9)

In Revelation, the Son of Man is pictured sitting on a cloud in glory (Rev 14:14)

At the Rapture, the church will be “caught up... in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air...” (1 Thes 4:17)

And, when Jesus returns in triumph at His second coming… the Son of Man [will come] in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:27

Is there any wonder why the Father… would… in this moment at the transfiguration choose to speak from a cloud?

It is so consistent with scripture… the cloud… the veil…

The Father speaks the words, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

Words consistent with the words the Father spoke at Jesus’ baptism… “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

1400 years prior on the LORD spoke to Moses, and said in Deut 18:15… “The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear…”

And, now in the presence of Moses again the Father says at the Transfiguration, “Hear Him!”

And, this remains true today… there are so many voices we can choose to listen to in these days…

But, there are none so true… none so sweet… as the sweet voice of Jesus…

Isa 55:3 declares, “Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live...”

The Living Word who gave us His written word… Hear Him.

And, no doubt this experience impact Peter especially, for in 2 Pet 1:16-18 Peter wrote, “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.”

After the Father speaks…

Matt 17:6 states, “… when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.

Which is the typical response in scripture when people encounter the presence of God.

A most appropriate response. And, we all have that choice…

You can bow now, and stand with Him for all eternity. Or, stand now in defiance, and bow in repentance for all eternity. God gives you a choice…

Rom 14:11 declares, “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”

I recommend bowing to Him and confessing Him now.

Matthew would also record… in response to their fear… Jesus touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”

Jesus is consistently tender and assuages the fears of His disciples.

V8 in Mark states, “Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.”

Moses and Elijah had now departed…

Their work was done and they were superceded by Jesus… only He remained as the voice for God.

And, then in V9… they came down from the mountain…

Mountaintop experiences are amazing, but we always need to come down off the mountain.

And, Jesus commands them to tell no one the things they saw until after His resurrection.

Jesus was always sensitive to allow the Father’s will to unfold in it’s own timing and to not be forced prematurely.

Always important for us to not get ahead of God.

And, they questioned what Jesus meant by “the rising from the dead.” Which is surprising because Jesus had just spoken plainly to them about His death and resurrection while in Caesarea Philippi…

Amazing that the disciples went through such a divine encounter… and still wrestled with Jesus’ words regarding His rising again.

Yet… they would obey… as difficult as I imagine it was… they kept this experience quiet “and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.” (as Luke records).

And closing out in VSS 11-13… reflecting on Elijah’s presence and departure… even more about Messiah’s presence, yet no Elijah… the disciples are confused about the chronological order of things…

“Jesus is here… where’s Elijah?”

For Mal 4:5 reads “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.”

Elijah was coming first… just not yet… Jesus doesn’t flesh it out here, but Elijah will come prior to Jesus’ Second Coming… as one of the the Two Witnesses.

Much easier for us to understand now having the whole canon of Scripture.

And, then Jesus draws a contrast between His first and second coming… and grounding the disciples back to what is at hand…

His first coming… and the prophetic fulfillment of what was written about His suffering and rejection.

And, it seems like Jesus does not want to go too deep with this discussion… I imagine after all they had seen at the transfiguration… they couldn’t handle much more at this time.

Probably some of you are feeling the same way! Worship team you can come.

Jesus adds one final statement… in V13 about how Elijah has also come… speaking about how John the Baptist ministered in the spirit of Elijah… that John was a type… a typology of Elijah.

Matt 17:13 “Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.”

And, what I love about how this scene closes out is it displays how we serve a God who is approachable and welcomes our questions.

If you still have questions about this connection between John and Elijah…

I encourage you to listen to my more in-depth message on this in Matt 17:9-13 titled “The Transfiguration Debriefing.”

But, let’s close out for today… would you bow your heads with me and Let’s Pray!

What a glorious scene we were blessed with today!

The application for our lives is simple…

Stand in awe of God… and His glory…

… of His manifestation in the clouds…

… and of the metamorphosis He is performing in our lives that will be fully realized in glory.

As you leave here today, I pray you feel a step closer to eternity… and are grateful for the transformation happening day by day… in you… until glory.

Walk in gratitude of that reality in this week ahead!