The Transfiguration
Notes
Transcript
Today we continue in our series Journey to the Cross.
Ever have some try to show you or tell you something multiple times and you don’t get it right away?
For me it was learning Algebra!
For the disciples it was learning who Jesus really was!
Last week we learned that the hard hearts of the disciples have prevented them from seeing and hearing who Jesus is as the long expected Messiah.
Today in our passage we are going to see that Mark continues this same line of thought with the disciples.
Chair Bible pg. 675 Mark 9:1-13.
Are you ready for the message God has for us today?
Cool, let’s dig in!
The Context
The Context
I want to consider first of the context of our passage.
In the previous chapter Jesus asks the disciples something that helps us see where the disciples are — Mark 8:27-30
Matthew adds something else adds a little more to this — Matthew 16:17-18
17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
So in this moment of clarity Peter declares what has been revealed.
Yet on the heals of this Jesus again reveals something - Mark 8:31-32
In one moment Peter makes this profound statement concerning Jesus, then rebukes Jesus for declaring that He will die!
How can a suffering Messiah be the fulfillment of all those prophecies?
Notice what Jesus says to Him — Mark 8:33
This to me is the reason the disciples struggle with Jesus and their hearts are hard and unable to see and hear Jesus.
Jesus is the expected Messiah but not the Messiah they expected!
Jesus is setting the example of a willingness to give all for the kingdom of God, to help teach the disciples and others about the Messiah Jesus calls a multitude together and talks about the cost of entering the KIngdon of God.
Recorded in the end of chapter 8.
Six Days Later
Six Days Later
Mark goes on at this point to show that Jesus has not left the subject of who Jesus is as the Messiah.
Our verses of chapter 9:1-13 tie directly to the conversation Jesus has been having with the disciples.
Now in our text we are told that Jesus takes three disciples - Peter, James, and John
They travel to a high mountain, though we are not told where.
There are two that are believed to be the location
Mt. Tabor — The traditional site, a church is built there
Mt. Hermon is the other site.
Which is mentioned in the conquest of Canaan in the Old Testament.
Think for a moment: what does God do on mountain tops?
The mountain in the Bible is the place where God reveals himself to man
Genesis 22 — Sacrifice of Isaac averted
Exodus 19 — The giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai
1 Kings 19 — Horeb and reassurance of Elijah
That is what is happening here
Jesus is revealing who He is again as the Messiah, He is God.
Through this event He is trying to get these three to see and hear who He is, and still they seem to miss it.
Why these three?
Peter would preach the first sermon as recorded in Acts 2, and open the door of the Kingdom to the Jews. Then in Acts 10 through the conversion of Cornelius he opens the doors to the Gentiles.
James in Acts 12, dies a martyr's death
John was the last of the Apostles to die and write a Gospel, Epistles, and Revelation about who Jesus was theologically.
I see it as Peter proclaiming who Jesus is, James giving His life for who Jesus is, and John writing about who Jesus is…
Later learning in hindsight through the Spirit what Jesus was showing them in the transfiguration.
What did they see?
What did they see?
So in a moment of glorification Jesus is seen in his glory and with Elijah and Moses talking to Him.
Why Moses and Elijah?
They could represent the whole of the teaching in Old Testament
Moses the Law
Elijah the prophets
12 “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
There are also prophecies connected with them
Moses — Deuteronomy 18:18
18 I will raise up for them a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them everything that I command him.
Elijah — Malachi 4:5
“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.
Connecting with something the disciples said — Mark 8:28
28 They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”
Also with what Jesus says — Mark 9:11-13
11 And they asked Him, saying, “Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
12 And He said to them, “Elijah does come first and he restores all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt?
13 But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wanted, just as it is written of him.”
He is greater than Moses and He is not Elijah, the spirit of Elijah came in John the Baptist as Jesus referenced in verse 13.
The proclamation from Heaven settles it — Mark 9:7
7 Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud: “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!”
This is not just a statement, this is a command, God is commanding for all generations to hear His Son!
We are not to listen to our heart, follow our emotions, follow the teaching of some person who tickles our ears!
We are commanded to hear Jesus!
Conclusion
As I consider all of this, the transfiguration is for us too!
People today need to hear and see Jesus!
However, what I often see is what Jesus saw — Mark 8:16-22
16 And they began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread.
17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet comprehend or understand? Do you still have your heart hardened?
18 having eyes, do you not see? and having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember,
19 when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.”
20 “When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they said to Him, “Seven.”
21 And He was saying to them, “Do you not yet understand?”
22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought a man who was blind to Jesus and begged Him to touch him.
They only see what they want to see and hear only what they want to hear, missing the whole point — Jesus is God!
Last week — He took the name of God, did what God does, and walked where only God walks!
To the Jews the law and the prophets are everything!
In the transfiguration of His Son, God is declaring Jesus is everything and it is Him we need to hear!
Close in Prayer!
Song Sung then
Walking away from the Podium The Blessing:
24 The Lord bless you, and keep you;
25 The Lord cause His face to shine on you, And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His face to you, And give you peace.’