Listen to Jesus

Intro

Good morning everybody! I’m excited to preach today! Wade asked me last week if I was up for speaking on the transfiguration more, and I was kind of like, “Bro, it’s such a deep passage, you sure you want that to be my first sermon at Element?” And he was like, “yeah, it’s no problem, you’ll do great!” So ok, here we go I suppose!

But actually, as I was just beginning to think about this passage and how deep it is, I was reminded of this river I had heard of once, so I looked it up again to find some more about it. Its called The River Wharfe, found in England, and it’s a relatively normal looking river. It’s pretty standard, about 90 feet wide and flows like a typical river would. But there’s this one part that really draws attention: The Bolton Strid.

The Strid is a section of the river that has an initial appearance of innocence. Its 6 feet wide, has some rapids, and can even appear calm. But it’s actually very dangerous. You see, the Strid begins because the entire river is shoved between two large sections of rock. This means that the entire river is flowing through this 6 foot section, but vertically. The river quite literally turns on its side— it’s unfathomably deep, and because of it’s strong undercurrents and vortexes, it’s nearly impossible to measure just how deep.

To me, the Transfiguration feels a lot like that. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, it’s a short passage. It’s only 7 verses here in Mark, but its depth and richness are hard to gather simply and shortly. Thus why we’re back in the same chunk of text as we were last week: we wanted to spend more time in the richness that is the transfiguration.

Just a few disclaimers as we get started: First, this passage is one that really excites me. It’s chock full of subtle references and literary details, that it’s hard to cover everything in one sermon. The instruction and implications from this are so meaningful, it gives me such a great admiration for the way the Lord has carefully orchestrated all of it. Yet, the focus of the transfiguration is simple enough that you don’t need to understand every detail. We simply don’t have enough time to go into everything, but we can absolutely see that one of main points of this text is that we are to listen to Jesus, and Jesus alone. So that’s the idea that we’re going to be viewing everything from today, that as disciples of Jesus, we are to be listening to him and him alone.

So as we start to dive in, let’s just take a moment to review where we’re at in the book of Mark.

Not long before this, starting in Mark 8:27, Jesus and his disciples are in Caesarea Philippi. Jesus has a conversation with his disciples in which Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, which Jesus fully affirms. But not long after, Jesus begins to teach about his death and resurrection, and again it’s Peter that speaks, but this time it’s out of line. He rebukes Jesus on the ideas that Jesus would die and rise again, to which Peter is himself rebuked! I could only imagine how Peter felt after that. Probably not too good about himself. He’s notorious for speaking the first thing that comes to mind, and sometimes it’s been a good thing, and other times, well… he probably should have kept his mouth shut. Now, just before the transfiguration happens, Jesus gives a prophetic word that some will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God come with power. Wade had said last week that a good thought as to the meaning of this verse is that it’s talking about the transfiguration. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, all three put the verse right before the transfiguration, and that gives me enough assurance that this is what Jesus meant. After all, the transfiguration is a powerful show of the coming glory of Jesus! And that takes us right to the transfiguration. So lets read:

Mark 9:2–8 ESV

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, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 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. 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.

Who are Moses and Elijah?

The presence of Moses and Elijah in this passage should really tip us off that something big is happening. After all, the New Testament has lots of references to Old Testament people and figures, but this is the only recorded Old Testament cameo! So it’s gotta be pretty important as to why Moses and Elijah are there.

So I thought it would be good for us to do a little character study to see why these specific men appear with Jesus as he is transfigured into a glorified state.

Moses

Moses is a classic bible story. If you grew up in the church, you probably heard about the baby who was put in a basket and floated in the river Nile, only to be found by the princess of Egypt and raised as royalty. Moses grew up and went on to lead God’s people out of Egypt, and God’s power was on full display when Moses struck the ground with his staff, God parted the Red Sea, and the Israelites walked on dry ground to the other side!

But that’s only part of the story— Moses was a significant mouthpiece for God to the Israelites. While in the desert, Moses went up Mount Sinai and recieved directly from God The Law. While on the mountain, Moses actually had an experience with God, where God’s glory passed by him and he saw a glimpse of God. He spent significant time with God on that mountain, and the 10 commandments were given there. A little while later, God met Moses and instructed him to write down the entire Israelite law— the book of Leviticus.

By the time of Jesus, Moses is a legendary figure. Whenever you read in the New Testament about “The Law,” it’s the law that Moses gave to the people. So for Moses to be on the mountain with Jesus, he represents more than just himself; he represents everything that the Law stands for in the nation of Israel.

Elijah

The next person we need to look at is Elijah. His stories and ministry are found in 1 Kings, starting in chapter 17. Some brief bible history is helpful here though. Starting way back with king Saul and king David, the nation of Israel was unified under their king. But it was only a few generations before Israel split in two. The northern part was called Israel, and the southern part called Judah. Elijah comes on the scene about a 100 years after David, to the kingdom of Israel, under king Ahab. King Ahab was not a very good guy. 1 Kings 16:33 says this of him: “Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger, than all the kings of Israel who were before him.” This is important to know, because Elijah comes on the scene to a nation that does not serve God, with a king that angers the Lord, and his mission is one thing: call the king and nation to repentance and to worship God only. In all his ministry, this is his main drive.

Towards the end of his ministry, Elijah makes his way to Mount Horeb— another name for Mount Sinai — and the glory of the Lord passes by him. And he becomes one of the few men allowed to see some of the glory and the power of the Lord and live.

Elijah is a notable prophet for this reason. He was also caught up to heaven in a chariot of fire, which is pretty amazing, but his experience with God and his mission uniquely set him apart. Now, Elijah was not the only prophet to the Israelite people, but when we see him on the mountain with Jesus, it’s really that he represents all the prophets to Israel. All the work that was done by all the prophets was represented by Elijah, and the law in its entirety was represented by Moses. And just as the cherry on top, Both of these men we included in the last prophetic words given by God to the people of Israel, in Malachi 4:4-6:

Malachi 4:4–6 ESV

“Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

These men represent all the law and the prophets, and they stand out as figures closely associated with the coming Messiah. So it’s no mistake when they’re the ones found with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration.

I mention these guys and their histories because it’s a significant part of the transfiguration story. If Moses and Elijah were just two cool guys from the Old Testament, the disciples who were with Jesus would have had much less appreciation and shock as to what they saw. But because these guys stand out as some of the most important men in Israel’s collective history, it creates a scene that’s far more powerful than we could ever dream up. Let’s look again at what we can gather from Mark 9.

Fulfillment of Law and Prophets

Mark 9:4–7 ESV

And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 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. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”

There’s good reason for us to look at this event through the eyes of Peter. He’s the one who’s sharing this story, and Mark is writing it down. Further, Peter has been the disciple most in view recently; his confession of Jesus as the Christ, the rebuke, and now he speaks here on the mountain.

They get to the top of the climb, and Luke records for us that these guys were sleepy. But suddenly they see the glory of Jesus, and they see Moses and Elijah, and are stunned fully awake. And they’re terrified! Shocked! And what is it that Peter manages to say? “Let me build some tents for you guys so you can stay!”

What Peter meant by this is really anyone’s guess. Some scholars suggest he was referencing a Jewish feast, others argue he’s putting all three men on the same level, or he could have been asking them to stay longer. But in Luke, it says that Peter didn’t even know what he was saying! Regardless, it wasn’t the right thing to say.

Despite this, by Peter suggesting to build tents, he is placing much significance in the presence of Moses and Elijah. When the voice from heaven speaks, God says, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” Moses and Elijah are present, but God from heaven says to listen specifically to Jesus. The representatives for the entire Old Testament tradition are there, and yet, Jesus is greater.

After God speaks, only Jesus remains. Moses and Elijah were there, but now it’s Jesus only. Jesus is more than another prophet, he is the one prophesied about! He’s more than someone who gives instruction, he is the one the entire law points to! Jesus himself says in Matthew 5:17, ““Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

Jesus is the complete fulfillment of all the law and the prophets!

But why does that matter for us? Christians living in the north woods in the 21st century? Why should we care that Jesus is the fulfillment of all this?

Our salvation rests on the truth that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and prophets! If Jesus wasn’t, then we have nothing to pin our hope on and we are complete fools. Jesus must be the fulfilment of everything if he is to truly offer salvation to everyone. Peter later talks on the idea of the fulfilment found in Jesus, and gives a clear and specific call.

He says in Acts 3:18-21:

Acts 3:18–21 ESV

But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

Peter makes claim to all the prophets of old, and essentially says, “Look at all that they said, and look at who they predicted the Messiah to be. Jesus perfectly fulfilled all of it. Therefore, REPENT.”

It’s the same call for us today. Look at Jesus, and look at all that he is, represents, and fulfills. And repent. Turn to Christ, that your sins may be forgiven.

There is no sin too big, no sins too many to keep you from the love and forgiveness of God. Maybe you feel like there are things in your life that have too firm a grip on you; listen to Jesus and submit those sins to him! He is bigger and greater than all your sins, and he is faithful and just to forgive your sins. Find peace in Christ and listen to him.

Now, I want us to think some on what it practically looks like to be listening to Jesus. It’s great that he’s the fulfillment of everything, and that we ought to listen to him, but how?

Simply, spend time in the Word! Pray! Spend time worshipping God for who he is! If I want my relationship with my wife to grow, I need to talk with her and listen to her. If I’m not doing that, Wade is going to have to come talk some sense into me because I’d be seriously failing her! So why do we let ourselves fail when it comes to our relationship with God? If your relationship with God only exists on a Sunday, take this as your sign to listen to him! Spend time in the Word and pray! Look, I’ll give you a jump start for this week too: Here are some passages that relate to the transfiguration and some key passages I’ve studied to prepare for this sermon. Start here if you feel like you don’t know where to start, and listen to the Spirit leading from there!

And as we listen to Jesus, you may find that he will bring things to your attention that need some change. It’s that personal conviction that comes along with fixing our eyes on him and listening to God; and it’s usually uncomfortable. Hebrews 12:1-2 are some of my top Bible verses. Some context, the author has just walked through in his letter pointing out some key figures who had faith in God, but he shows that they all point to Jesus. Listen to these words:

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

As we look to Jesus, see that it’s important to lay aside sins and weights. The sins are the obvious ones: You probably don’t have to think hard to remember the sins you’ve had to lay aside, or maybe the sins you really need to lay aside. But what about the weights? What is keeping you from listening to Jesus? Anything that pulls your attention from Christ needs to be demoted. Here’s an example: my phone. It’s a useful tool! It’s not a sin for me to use it. But… I open my phone in the morning long before I open my bible, and that’s a problem. I get stressed, I might be more inclined to look at some media than I would be God’s Word. It certainly is a pull from my relationship with Christ that I need to lay aside, and instead look to Christ.

Some other things to think about: What about your hobbies, or even work? Are there things that have a higher priority than your relationship with God, even if it’s not a bad thing? Those things need to be laid aside.

So I challenge you this week to consider the things that take your eyes and ears off of Jesus, and instead focus time looking and listening to him.

Conclusion

I’m going to to invite the worship and prayer teams to come up, and as we wrap up, I just want to draw your attention back to the Strid. It’s a dangerous part of the river, one to stay out of if you value your life. But the deepness of Jesus and the greatness of his Word is not like that at all. In fact, the depth of Jesus leads to life and peace. He is the living water, the giver of life, and our Lord. So come to the river. Listen to Jesus. Find peace in him, and follow him.

Let’s all stand to our feet. Let’s pray.

Father, you are great and worthy to be praised. Your word is deep and unfathomably rich, but I pray that you would lodge it in our hearts that we would not forget you. Lead us this day to listen to Jesus and prioritize you in every area of our lives, teaching us to listen and obey your commands. We love you Lord and ask that you would dwell in our hearts and draw us to yourself. Amen.