The Transfiguration

The Transfiguration Luke 9:28-36

When we read and study the NT we need to understand that it isn’t a stand alone piece of literature.

I remember I was listening to a professor who was teaching through the book of Matthew.

And he said something that stuck with me.

He said opening up your bible and beginning with the book of Matthew is like opening up Act Five of a five act play and starting there.

You get the resolution.

You get to see how the story ended, but if you don’t know the build up.

If you don’t know how we got here, you won’t be able to fully comprehend the magnitude of the ending.

You can learn a lot from the Gospels and other new Testament books.

However, they work better and are more fully understood when you know and understand the OT too.

Now, I’m not saying that you have to fully understand everything that goes on in both the NT and OT.

However, reading the NT while understanding some of the key figures and events in the OT will open your eyes to the true beauty of God’s story of salvation.

I say all that to say this.

As we look at this morning’s text it will be brimming with OT imagery and references.

So Buckle up and enjoy.

The beauty of seeing this in God’s Word help us to know that none of this redemption thing was thrown together.

We can see God’s hand of providence and sovereignty all over the pages of Scripture.

We can trust that the salvation of humanity wasn’t an after thought for God.

No, he planned and orchestrated it entirely.

God isn’t simply sitting back and waiting for things to happen.

He is actively involved in the ordering and direction of the cosmos.

He gave us glimpses of his plan throughout Israel’s history and Jesus is the culmination and fullest revelation of this plan.

Last week we talked about Peter’s Answer to who Jesus is.

In that, Peter Confessed in v. 20, that Jesus is “God’s Messiah.”

This morning we will hear from God’s own words who Jesus is.

I’ll go ahead and spoil it for you.

Luke 9:35 “35 Then a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, the Chosen One; listen to him!””

So as we look at and examine this text this morning, know that Jesus truly is the Son of God.

The chosen one who was before the foundation of the world coming to save wretched sinners from their own rebellion and God’s Wrath.

What an amazing God we serve.

That before the foundations of the earth he set out to save those who would rebel against him.

He is truly worthy of all honor, glory, and praise.

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Let’s pray and ask the Lord to open our hearts and minds this morning.

Luke 9:27–29 CSB

27 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” 28 About eight days after this conversation, he took along Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.

The Transfiguration

Luke begins v. 28 with about eight days after this conversation.

What Conversation is he referring to?

It’s the one that immediately proceeds this event.

The conversation of Jesus telling his disciples that if they desire to follow after him they must take up their crosses, deny their selves, and follow after him.

Trying to save their lives will cause them to lose them.

But losing their lives for his sake will save them.

He concludes this teaching with what is said in v. 27.

Luke 9:27 CSB

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

We didn’t spend much time talking about this verse last week, b/c it is so intricately tied to this weeks sermon.

Theologians debate over what Jesus meant when he said these words.

Luke 9:27 “27 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.””

But I think it’s hard to argue that it means anything other than what happens at the transfiguration.

Jesus takes with him on the mountain some of the disciples.

3 to be precise.

Peter, James, and John. These were Jesus’ inner circle.

They were going to go on to have a great impact on the church Jesus establishes.

So they get to see somethings that the others don’t.

In fact, this is the 2 time that they are chosen apart from the group to do something with Jesus.

The first is when Jesus raises the girl from the dead.

These three are with Jesus when the veil is pulled back and they get to see him in all his glory.

That’s why I believe that the kingdom of God is talking about the transfiguration.

The transfiguration was proof that the Kingdom of God had entered into history through J.C.

And it’s a preview of his second coming.

Now there are people that disagree with me.

Some think v.27 is talking about the resurrection, ascension and Pentecost.

Other’s believe it to be reference to Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 AD.

And others are still convinced it’s the second coming.

However, I personally find the transfiguration to be the best explanation of what Luke meant.

If you disagree with me, that’s fine.

What we can agree on is that the transfiguration would have been an amazing sight.

So what happens?

Luke tells us that Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain.

And what are they going to do?

They are praying

Remember, Luke uses prayer to earmark in his gospel that something profound and important is going to happen.

And here prayer is mentioned 2 times.

they were going to pray

and “as he was praying”

So we should expect something big to happen.

Now the fact that they went up to a mountain is also significant.

Throughout the Scriptures people, like the two we will see in a minute (Moses and Elijah) went on mountains to meet with God.

Mountain tops were viewed as the place where heaven met earth.

A place where Revelation of God happened in the history of Israel.

So as you can tell, Luke is building anticipation.

Something amazing is about to happen.

We then read that while Luke 9:29 “29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.”

Jesus’ face changing and his clothes becoming dazzling white would have immediately caused the hearers to think about Moses’ interaction with God on Mt. Sinai.

In Exodus 34, Moses receives the 10 Commandments from God.

And he comes down to tell the people what God has said.

and when he does, his face is shining and the people are scared of him.

They don’t have a category for Moses’ face shining brightly

But b/c he was in the presence of the Lord, his body changed.

The Glory of God changed the appearance of Moses.

But I want to notice that Jesus’ radiance is categorically different from Moses’.

Moses shined b/c he was in the presence of God.

His affect was external to him.

While Jesus shone b/c he was God.

In fact, he radiated so much that his clothes were affected.

Jesus transformation wasn’t from the outside in, it was from the inside out.

The entirety of his person was changed.

The Glory of God changed Moses’ appearance.

Whereas the Glory of Jesus revealed who he truly is.

I want us to understand that the account of the transfiguration is meant to demonstrate the Fullness of Jesus’ divine nature.

This important for us to really think about.

The disciples when they saw Jesus were seeing the visible glory of Jesus that he has possessed from Eternity past.

Paul tells us in Phil 2, that Jesus humbled himself.

He emptied himself and took the form of a servant.

And now, on this mountain where heaven met earth.

The disciples get to see the fullness of Jesus’ glory.

The Glory that he had before his incarnation and the glory he received after his resurrection.

It’s a beautiful picture of God’s redemptive plan.

Shining brightly.

Transformed from the hindrance of his humanity to the fullness of his divinity.

And Jesus wasn’t alone on this mountain.

2 other prominent OT figures joined him.

Luke 9:30–31 CSB

30 Suddenly, two men were talking with him—Moses and Elijah. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Jesus’ Exodus

Moses and Elijah.

Two of the great figureheads of Judaism.

These two had lived lives that demonstrate a closeness to God that rivals any other major figure in the OT.

This isn’t meant to say that they didn’t have their problems and their struggles, but they were highly revered for the Jewish People.

Both of these men themselves had met God on a mountain.

Moses to receive the 10 Commandments

Elijah had a great battle on a mountain against false prophets of Baal and was eventually taken up by God on a mountain to his eternal life.

So out of all the people from the OT, why these two?

Why Moses and Elijah?

For many 1st Century Jews, when they talked about God’s word they would use a phrase as short hand.

The phrase was the Law and the Prophets.

The people in the OT that represent these two books would have been Moses and Elijah.

Moses gave the Law.

Met with God to receive and the distribute the law to the people.

While Elijah worked miracles.

These Included Calling Fire down from Heaven to consume a sacrifice and altar.

Providing food when there wasn’t enough food for a widow and her son.

And then raising that son from the dead.

So Moses and Elijah meeting with Jesus isn’t that surprising.

B/c Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets.

Jesus’ meeting with them would have been seen as the culmination of their ministry.

Jesus came to fulfill and finish what these men had started.

Jesus fully and completely fulfilled the Law.

Obeying the Lord perfectly in every way.

Jesus also came to do better works and miracles than Elijah.

In fact, Jesus is the one these guys were pointing too.

He is the fulfilment.

Notice that Luke tells us that Moses and Elijah appeared in glory too.

They weren’t in their earthly bodies.

They were in their heavenly bodies.

And b/c they were in the presence of God they radiated with a glorious glow more fully than when Moses was on Mount Sinai.

Just for a quick application.

The appearance of Moses and Elijah tells us that there is an after life.

That once people die they don’t cease to exist.

Those who have placed their faith in Jesus go on to live in the presence of God.

And we will all have that same glow.

Now you may be a little confused.

I said those that put their faith in Jesus will dwell in the house of God.

But Elijah and Moses didn’t put their faith in Jesus how are they there.

They are there b/c they put their faith in the promises of God that he would one day send the one who would fulfill those promises he made.

So though they didn’t Know Jesus by name they knew the promises of God and placed their faith in his ability to fulfill what he had promised.

That’s what simple faith is.

Trust that God is who he says he is.

Trust that you are who he says you are.

Trust that he will do what he said he’d do.

And trust that Jesus proved it through his death, burial, and resurrection.

These men were examples of this type of faith.

But, I want to know, what does this meeting look like.

What were they talking about on this mountain.

We don’t get let into the entire conversation between Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, but we do get something that is key to understanding why this meeting is happening.

Luke says they are speaking of his departure.

The word used there in Greek is Exodus.

They were speaking about Jesus’ exodus.

The choice of word here for Luke is important.

We have a whole book of our OT called Exodus.

In fact, Moses wrote it.

It’s about God delivering his people from slavery in Egypt.

Through his mighty works of the 10 plagues and the parting of the Red Sea, The Lord saved his people and delivered them from the hands of Pharoah.

But what is Jesus’ Exodus and what does Jerusalem have to do with it?

The Exodus of Jesus is different than the previous exodus.

This exodus has to do with Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection and Ascension.

We know this b/c his departure, his exodus takes place in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is the place Jesus is going to lay down his life for the sins of the world.

So his departure.

His suffering.

His death.

His resurrection.

Is going to bring salvation, forgiveness, freedom, and deliverance for those who trust in him.

In fact, the death of Jesus was foreshadowed in the original Exodus Event.

The final of the 10 plagues God sent on Egypt was the death of the first born.

This included first born children and livestock.

But God provided a way to avoid this plague if his people listened to him and trusted him.

They had to take a lamb.

Sacrifice the Lamb and spread it’s blood on the door frame of the house.

And they would be passed over.

Jesus did this in Jerusalem.

When his blood was shed he covers the sins of those who listen to his voice and trust him.

And Jesus’ death was what these men were talking about.

Moses and Elijah weren’t informing Jesus about his upcoming death.

Jesus already knew.

But they were talking about it.

I can almost imagine that Moses and Elijah were giddy with excitement at seeing their prophecies come to fruition.

All their hardships.

All their trials.

And even their death was leading up to this point.

Jesus’ Exodus in Jerusalem.

Though the Exodus of the Israelites out of slavery was Amazing.

Jesus’ Exodus was greater.

He came to deliver people not from earthly oppressors, but to deliver them from sin, shame, bondage, and the wrath of God.

What is happening on this mountaintop is amazing and glorious.

Then Peter, James and John come into focus.

Luke 9:32–33 CSB

32 Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep, and when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who were standing with him. 33 As the two men were departing from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it’s good for us to be here. Let’s set up three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he was saying.

Jesus’ Greatness

Awakening from slumber.

A little groggy and disoriented, the boys awake to see Jesus in the fullness of his glory.

Along with Moses and Elijah.

Moses and Elijah leave and Peter Suggests that they build shelters or tents for them.

One for Each.

One for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.

Why does Peter want to build shelters?

Most likely, Peter wanted to delay his departure from the mountain top.

Remember he had just witnessed something amazing.

He didn’t want to leave that mountain top experience.

He wanted to stay up there as long as possible to soak it in.

Opposition to Jesus and his followers is mounting.

They are being welcomed by the crowds but the religious elites are starting to put more pressure on Jesus.

So staying there would have been keeping them safe for a little while longer.

And we have been in situations like this too.

There have been times in each of our lives where we felt like we don’t want this moment to end.

So let’s sit in it as long as possible.

Maybe it was a family reunion.

Maybe it was a vacation.

Maybe it was a church camp.

Whatever it was, we don’t want to leave this feeling and these experiences behind.

But what we tend to forget is that there’s still a life to live.

There is still work to do.

We can’t sit on the mountain forever.

Jesus couldn’t stay up there and neither could his disciples b/c there was still work to do.

Maybe Peter and the boys heard what was going to happen in Jerusalem and wanted to avoid it at all costs.

So he suggested building these tents to delay the inevitable.

Luke tells us the Peter didn’t know what he was talking about.

Peter was speaking foolishly.

Was it bad to build the shelters.

Not necessarily, but the building of these tents and remaining on the mountain was going to stand in the way of God’s purpose for Jesus.

If Jesus stayed then his Exodus would be delayed.

Also, I’ll tell you this Moses and Elijah didn’t want to stick around either.

They wanted to be in the presence of the father.

They wanted to return to their glorious state in the presence of the Glorious king.

There does seem to be another issue with building the shelters.

It’s as if Peter is suggesting that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah are all on the same level.

Deserving the same kind of treatment.

But Jesus is wholly different.

He isn’t simply another prophet.

He isn’t a little better than Moses and Elijah.

He is exceedingly and abundantly better.

He is matchless.

There is no one like him.

These three are not Equals.

Remember, Moses and Elijah were looking forward to the day that Jesus would arrive.

He is the one their writings and ministry points toward.

I think this is a trap that we can fall into in our society.

It’s easy for us to fall into pluralism.

Were we think that all avenues to God are equal.

We can fall into the trap that Jesus is our way, but he’s not the way.

We can put Jesus on the same playing field as Muhammed, Buddha, or Joseph Smith.

This is exactly what these other religions do.

They want to keep their prophet and add Jesus to it.

They have to do something with Jesus, so they simply say Jesus was a good teacher, he was a prophet of God, but these guys were just as good.

They all deserve a tent.

They all can sit at the head of the table.

But this isn’t what Scripture shows us.

Scripture tells us and Jesus says it from his own lips that he is the only way to the Father.

He is the unique Son of God.

No one compares.

No one else even comes close.

This is why we must share the fullness of the gospel of Jesus.

B/c to many in the modern west they believe that Jesus is just one among equals.

However, this simply isn’t true.

Peter’s thinking was faulty.

In fact, he gets interrupted by an even more amazing experience to demonstrate Jesus’ supremacy and uniqueness

Luke 9:34–36 CSB

34 While he was saying this, a cloud appeared and overshadowed them. They became afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 Then a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, the Chosen One; listen to him!” 36 After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They kept silent, and at that time told no one what they had seen.

Son of God

Here the Father Shows up to verify Jesus is his son.

Man, what an amazing scene this would be.

A cloud. This isn’t something to miss, notice that it’s mentioned 3 times.

That means that there is emphasis on this event.

You may be wondering why a cloud?

Clouds were imagery in the OT used to signify the glory and presence of the Lord.

I’m not going to go over all the instances where this occurs, but I want us to know about three real quickly.

The first is the cloud that followed the Israelites in the desert to shield them from the Sun as they wondered through the Desert.

This demonstrated that the Lord was guiding, protecting, and providing for Israel.

The second and third are even more mind blowing.

In the second half of the book of Exodus, God gives Moses instructions on how to build his tabernacle.

This would be the temporary tent where they would Worship God while the Israelites wondered in the wilderness.

The Lord is very specific on how he wants this tabernacle built.

But what Happens when the tabernacle is finished.

When all the preparations have ceased and the Tent is erected completely for the first time

We read in Exodus 40:34–35 “34 The cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses was unable to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud rested on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”

A cloud came and filled the temple.

This cloud signifies the presence of the Lord with his people.

As they lived in the wilderness, The Israelites would stay in the place they camped as long as the cloud was on the tabernacle.

When it left they would pack up and move til the Lord showed them were to camp.

Then he would dwell with them once again.

The same thing happened when Solomon built the permanent temple.

The Lord came down to dwell with his people in the temple.

2 Chronicles 7:1 “1 When Solomon finished praying, fire descended from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.”

Finally, In the OT we read about Israel abandoning the worship of the one true God.

They started to worship false idols and fake gods.

And the Lord, called for them to repent by sending prophets.

But they refused.

So in Ezekiel 10, we read about the glory of the Lord leaving the temple.

The glory cloud of the Lord left and never returned to the temple.

That is a bummer.

That is heartbreaking.

That breeds hopelessness for God’s prophets and people.

B/c of their rebellion and unrepentant hearts the Lord gives them over to the desires of their heart.

So this return of his Glory cloud on top of this mountain is no small thing.

We see that the Lord is returning to his people.

We see that the hope of redemption and salvation isn’t gone forever.

I can only imagine how these three Jewish Boys felt as they watched this cloud approach.

They knew the story of God’s glory leaving the temple and now they get to see it with their own two eyes.

And from this cloud they hear a voice.

Luke 9:35 “35 Then a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, the Chosen One; listen to him!””

This is very similar to what the Lord said to Jesus after his baptism.

But this is the first time that the disciples have heard it.

And there are at least 3 OT references in these three phrases.

The phrase This is my Son reminds us of Psalm 2:7 “7 I will declare the Lord’s decree. He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”, where God is establishing his relationship with the anointed king.

Calling Jesus son denotes his uniqueness and his authority.

The phrase the chosen one, comes from Isaiah’s suffering servants songs.

Isaiah 42:1 “1 “This is my servant; I strengthen him, this is my chosen one; I delight in him. I have put my Spirit on him; he will bring justice to the nations.”

The one chosen and sent by God to Justice to nations and salvation to his children.

And finally “Listen to him” recalls Deuteronomy 18:15 “15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.”

This is from Moses’ lips.

There is a coming prophet who God’s Children must listen to.

So the Lord here is triple verifying that Jesus isn’t just a prophet.

He is the Son of God.

He is the promised, chosen, and sent one.

He is the one that was sent by the Lord to right every wrong

To conquer sin and death.

To restore creation.

He is the perfect representation of God’s character.

He is the Image of the Invisible God.

And what he says is true and trustworthy.

He should be listened to.

We should hear his words and heed his words.

I can imagine that the author of Hebrews has this encounter in mind when he penned the opening of his letter.

Hebrews 1:1–3 “1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. 2 In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

What Jesus says is important.

We must listen to him.

This is the disciples responsibility.

This is our responsibility.

His words carry weight and authority.

We can’t pick and choose what we listen to when it comes to Jesus.

This isn’t the buffet of Jesus where we go and get what we want and we leave everything else behind.

NO, we must listen carefully.

We must listen to the fact that if we are going to follow him it will cost us something.

We must listen that the call of discipleship means carrying our cross, denying ourselves and following after him.

We must listen that what he calls sin is sin and just b/c it’s culturally okay, that doesn’t mean that its okay with Jesus.

Now listen you can either trust Jesus or ignore Jesus.

But he isn’t looking for half-hearted disciples.

To follow Jesus means that we are all in.

That we must give up ourselves and trust him.

No matter what the cost.

Where are you with Jesus today?

Are you still holding back what he has asked you to give to him?

Listen to him.

Are you still not sure what to do with Jesus?

Listen to him.

Listen to the one who died in your place.

The one who gave up everything so that you could be reunited with the Father.

I bed you listen to him.

Let’s pray.