"Declaration" Sunday - CAMPBELLS CREEK

ENGAGE

(New shoes illustration— we want to keep them shiny and new but they can’t fulfill their purpose if they don’t go out and get dirty.)

I remember when I was a kid, maybe 7 or 8 years old - mom and dad got me my first pair of brand new tennis shoes, that exact ones that I wanted. Not just a functional pair of shoes, but a pair of brand new tennis shoes that were in style, and were right out of the box, shiny and in perfect condition.

I was so proud of them, i did everything I could to protect them and keep them looking sparkling white and shiny for as long as I could.

As time went on, they got dirty, after all that is what shoes do in order to serve the purpose they were intended for, they have to be on your stinky feet, and on the dirty ground - not just kept in their shoe box and admired.

TENSION

Sometimes it can be frustrating using something for its intended purpose. Sometimes we have other ideas for what should happen with it, but there is an intended purpose for everything, and that is how that thing functions the most effectively and appropriately.

We can get upset when we buy an item thinking that we can use it for one specific purpose, and then we get it home and realize that it really was not designed for that purpose, so our understanding of how it should be used did not line up to reality of what it really was intended for.

TRUTH

Today we are going to look at a passage from the Gospel book of Mark.

If you have your bibles you can go ahead and turn to Chapter 9.

As you are turning there, I want to set the scene that we are going to be looking at what is arguably the plot twist of the Gospel of Mark. It is the pivot point of the Gospel that has been up until now very fast paced story that Mark is trying to recall from the memories and teachings of Peter.

From this story onward, we are heading toward the end of Jesus’ ministry, the end of his time with the disciples, and ultimately the end of his early life.

Lets pray the words of Psalm 119 verse 18 as we begin our reading today from Mark chapter 9 verse 1.

LORD-

Psalm 119:18 (ESV)

18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

In your name, Amen

Mark chapter 9 starting at verse 1.

Mark 9:1 ESV

And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

Right away we notice that we are starting mid-story, we drop in on Jesus teaching, and if we go back to verse 34 of chapter 8, we see that he is teaching the crowds and his disciples about what is coming just a few miles down the road.

He told them about the cross, and how he will have to suffer and be rejected, and how similar things will also happen to them if they choose to follow Him.

In chapter 9, he continues the teaching by telling the disciples and the crowd that some of the people who were standing right in front of him would still be alive when the kingdom of God comes to earth with its power and glory.

If you notice this is part of the same sermon, or teaching, but it is a crucial link from chapter 8 to chapter 9 and introduces the heart of chapter nine. The coming of the power of the kingdom, and more specifically, the revelation of the kingdom’s king in his glory.

So we know that Jesus told them that some who were at this teaching would still be alive when the Kingdom comes, and then we have verse 2.

Mark 9:2–3 ESV

2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.

Jesus has brought his Big 3: Peter, James, and John to a high mountain -

Remember that Jesus reached out to the crowds of thousands,

he ministered to the congregation of hundreds,

and he deeply invested in this core group of 3. This is an essential discipleship principle for us to remember as we structure our churches and ministries.

Here we also see some biblical symbolism - the number 6 in the bible, represents incompleteness, we see it in throughout the bible, notably in Genesis in the 6 days of creation were only completed by the 7th day of rest. We also see the number 7 as the number of completeness - 7 days of creation, in Revelation we have the fullness of the 7 churches, 7 lampstands and 7 stars. Here we have 6 days that are being completed by the events of the 7th day.

We also have biblical symbolism of the mountain. High places, especially mountains play key roles in accounts such as Abraham and the near sacrifice of Isaac on the mountaintop and Moses meeting God on the mountain to get the commandments.

1 Kings 19:1 recounts the prophet Elijah and his experience on the mountain, hearing God not in the great wind or the earthquake or the fire, but in the still small voice.

Mountain top experiences are usually limited for each person, we don't get one every day or every week, some people may only get one in their lifetime, and some may not ever experience a mountaintop meeting with God in the way we read about in the Bible.

But many of us have our own mountain top moments, where we come into the presence of God and know that we have been in the presence of God, and it changes us.

Mark 9:4 ESV

And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.

So while Jesus and the Big 3 are on the mountaintop, and Mark says it was Elijah and Moses, so I would assume that they were exactly as they were before, not in some unrecognizable form- because clearly the Disciples recognized them, even if they had never seen them before, they had never seen a picture of them before - but they recognized them as Moses and Elijah.

Maybe they were wearing those little name tag stickers that say “Hi My Name is Moses” and “Hi My Name is Elijah”.

The two men were talking with Jesus. Could you imagine what they were talking about?

Luke 9:31 gives us a little more insight than Mark does, Luke tells us that they spoke of “His (JEsus’) Departure” - this is bible code for his death.

The two elders of the faith, founding fathers - Moses representing the law, and Elijah the prophets - together the whole of the Jewish sacred texts that Jesus grew up reading - the complete understanding of faith in God up to this point - are literally standing there giving Jesus advice about his death.

This is incredible considering both of these men has less than normal deaths.

Moses’ death is reported in Deuteronomy 34:5-6, but God took him and buried him somewhere, but no one other than God knows where.

Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind in 2 Kings 2:11 and as far as we know, never actually died.

So I am going to assume that they are telling him about death, and how they are both now very much alive- even though they have left THIS kingdom, and are now citizens in GODS KINGDOM now, and how that changes a person.

I’m sure they comforted him, encouraged him, and shared God’s words with them.

Their presence there encouraged Jesus, but it also impacted the big 3 disciples who witnessed it.

Let’s look at verse 5:

Mark 9:5–6 ESV

And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.

Here we see a couple of different things going on.

Peter realizes that this is a “mountaintop experience” something that only happens once in a lifetime if that.

He know that he doesn’t have a clue what to do now in this situation because its a good thing, but he and his buddies are afraid.

We have all been in a similar situation, maybe not with the elite of the Bible, but something similar when you are presented with a situation that you really aren’t sure what to do next, so we just do something.

Peter wanted to keep the moment going. He wanted to remain on the mountaintop instead of heading back down the mountain, to where Jesus’ destiny waits for him in Jerusalem.

Part of him could also have been afraid that what Jesus had told them 6 days earlier really was true and the type of messiah he was really was not the type of messiah he was looking for.

Mark 9:7–8 ESV

And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

Clouds in the Bible are used as portals to allow God’s glory to show up among mankind.

In this situation, God interrupts Peter’s rant to essentially tell him that he doesnt have to honor Moses and Elijah, because Jesus is the fulfillment of both the LAW and the PROPHETS.

No one is left standing but Jesus. He is the only one they need to listen to.

And it isn’t very long until he breaks his silence - we haven’t heard anything from Jesus yet today but in verse 9-

Mark 9:9–10 ESV

9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean.

I can hear Peter now - “wait, what did he just say, did he say he was going to die and rise from the dead” Why has never mentioned this before?”

I guess they had not paid attention 6 days earlier where Jesus literally told them exactly the same thing - that he will suffer and be killed, but he will be resurrected on the 3rd day.

These 3, I am pretty sure they were chosen to be “the big 3” because they needed the most work, not because they were the best of the best - but then again, I certainly don’t get it right all the time so I don’t have any room to talk about them not understanding the teachings of Jesus.

Jesus also had very two very valid reasons for requiring the secrecy of what had just happened on the mountaintop.

First off, the disciples still had their own expectations of what the Messiah looked like and how he would function - as a political or military leader, where as Jesus’ mission was not to overthrow the Roman army, but rather to overthrow the forces of evil, sin , death and the grave.

They will not fully understand this until after they experience the events that will happen in Jerusalem in a few days.

And second of all, Jesus wanted to avoid a huge uproar of people flocking to him because of this event. He had enough pressure on him, and he still needed to make it to Jerusalem, so he couldn’t afford to have any distractions or complications now. It was too close to the end.

Verses 11-13

Mark 9:11–13 ESV

And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

Here the disciples are linking the presence of Elijah on the mountain to the end of the present era, the beginning of the end of time.

Jewish thought was that Elijah was going to return to the earth to usher in this final period before God would rule.

They were indeed correct, but it wasn’t the actual coming of Elijah, but rather John the Baptist coming in the power and spirit of Elijah that ushered in the kingdom of God.

While John the Baptist did not restore all things, he did prepare the way for the one who will indeed restore all things to God as he redeems them through his life, death and resurrection.

APPLICATION

Just as we as kids got new shoes and were so proud of them, and wanted to keep them brand new and spotless and shiny instead of using them for their intended purpose and allowing them to get damaged and scuffed up and worn, Peter wanted to keep Jesus as he was in that moment. He wanted to keep that moment forever, and not let Jesus go on to do the work that he was sent to do.

Jesus told them just 6 days earlier, and he would go on to tell them a few more times, that the things he told them MUST come to pass. It must be done in order for his mission to be fulfilled, and salvation brought to all.

We sometimes do the same thing with Jesus. We celebrate his coming as a baby in the manger at Christmas. We even celebrate his resurrection at Easter. But the thing we sometimes miss is that he knew from Christmas that there would be Easter.

He was God. He had all that was previewed on the mountain of transfiguration inside him - and the real miracle was that he could keep all that inside for so long!

God allowed him to show a quick glimpse to the big 3 so that they would be encouraged for the days to come, because once they go down the mountain, their new shoes are getting dirty. They are going to be so deep in the mud and dirt and grime and its going to get worse as they go on.

But God uses this moment to let them know that Jesus is absolutely the one that can do it, and he will get them through it as well.

He is the beloved son, they no longer need to listen to and follow all the rules of Moses in order to be in relationship with God, and they didn’t have to wait and watch for the messiah that the prophets told would be coming …….. He is here. His kingdom is here.

The Big 3 that were on this mountain - Peter, James and John, did not in fact, taste death before they saw the kingdom of God come in power, and they were comforted and reassured that God had everything under control and through Jesus salvation would come soon.

INSPIRATION/REFLECTION

This is important for us today as well, as we continue to wait for not the coming of the kingdom and the king, but instead we wait for the return of the king, and the fullness of the kingdom to come to earth for an eternal reign.

We can be comforted in knowing that Jesus is STILL God’s beloved son, the one that he sacrificed for us, so that we can be restored to God.

We can know that he did fulfill his mission, his purpose, by coming down off that mountain, and getting his shoes dirty as he was persecuted, beaten and broken, and eventually hung on a cross for our sins.

That’s what we remember today, that yes Jesus came as a baby at Christmas, but his purpose was to make it to Jerusalem, to die on a cross as our perfect lamb, our sacrifice and atonement for our sin.

ACTION/NEXT STEPS

Even though we probably wont have a mountaintop experience today or even this year, we can have the comfort in knowing that God has affirmed Jesus as his beloved son, the one who has defeated sin, death and the grave by putting on his shiny tennis shoes and walking to Jerusalem through all the mud and dirt that this world could provide - and being the sacrifice, the perfect spotless lamb that we needed to be able to take our sins from us, and restore us to our right relationship with God.

Would you please stand as I pray the benediction over us:

As we leave from this house of prayer and from our meeting time together and with Jesus,

Depart with restored hopes and renewed enthusiasm.

Depart with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Depart with the love of God,

Depart with the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,

Depart comforted knowing that you are in the hands of the beloved Son of God and in that you may rejoice forever more.

In Jesus name,

Amen!