Really Seeing the Christ

Some rare times something happens that transforms how you see a person. 9-14-01, just 3 days after the terrorist flew planes into the twin towers, President George W. Bush stood on the debris of the World Trade Center and with a bullhorn in hand and began his speech with these words, “Thank you all. I want you all to know -- it [bullhorn] can't go any louder --  I want you all to know that American today, American today is on bended knee, in prayer for the people whose lives were lost here, for the workers who work here, for the families who mourn. The nation stands with the good people of New York City and New Jersey and Connecticut as we mourn the loss of thousands of our citizens

Rescue Worker: I can't hear you!

President Bush: I can hear you! I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people -- and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!

Commentary by David McDowell: "The power of rhetoric is dramatically demonstrated...as people immediately saw a charismatic quality in Bush that hadn't really been evident...

There can many views of President Bush’s time in office, but this was a shining hour. I saw a strength, a courage, an ability to rally the nation I had not expected from the man.

For the 3 disciples who climbed the mountain with the Lord Jesus that day recorded in our Gospel reading, the Transfiguration was a game changer. On this last Sunday of Epiphany we remember this moment of awakening Peter, James, and John experienced. They had moved from seeing Jesus of Nazareth as a teacher to a miracle worker, to recognizing He is the Messiah, even the Son of the living God. But now they really saw the Christ like they had never seen Him before.

I. 28-29

A. Jesus climbed that mountain to have a private place to pray.

The Transfiguration happened as He prayed, perhaps in response to His prayer.

“. For Luke, prayer is the way to discover and accept God’s plan” (Garland 392)

V 29 , NIV his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning[1]

i. “Face altered” - Matthew 17:2, “2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.

b. OT reading - Moses’s face shone reflecting the glory of God he had been exposed to.

i. Jesus’ shone all over because the veil was pulled back for a time and His inherent glory burst forth in overwhelming radiance!

ii. The 3 disciples got the first glimpse at the glory of God that will surround the Lord Jesus when He comes again on the clouds with the army of heaven as King kings and Lord of lord.

His glory will be so overwhelming that every creature on heaven and earth and even in hell will fall to their knees and proclaim “Jesus is Lord!”

II. V. 30-31

a. Before his death Moses was allowed to see the Land of Canaan, but not enter it because he had gone beyond the command of God in striking the rock.

i. Now, in the age of Grace, he is finally in the land of Canaan.

ii. Representing The Law and the Prophets these 2 heroes of the faith being on the mountain show connection of the Old Testament with the New.

b. NIV Moses and Elijah “appeared in glorious splendor,”

Now it wasn’t just the face of Moses that was shining, he and Elijay had been in the presence of God for centuries and they were reflecting that majesty.

But Jesus was letting that same glory and majesty flow out of Him as the veil was pulled back.

“spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”

“departure” = Gr for “exodus”.

Our Lord’s departure from this planet = His death, resurrection and ascension, are what the Exodus from Egypt by the ancient people of Israel pointed toward.

Each are turning points in redemption history.

The later is greater than the former.

Jesus knew what was coming. He had just told the 12 disciples that He must suffer, be rejected, be killed and raised on the 3rd day.

Moses and Elijah each knew what it was to be rejected by the people of Israel.

Perhaps they were sent to offer assurance and comfort to Jesus as He neared His suffering and death.

III. V. 32

a. How could you possibly fall asleep during something like this?

Much less - July 20, 1969 had highly anticipate moon landing - had tv on, missed it! I fell asleep!

You can be excited and still fall asleep.

Alternative translation (Garland, p. 397) V 32 Peter and those who were with him had been heavy-lidded with sleep, but staying awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.

In v. 33 we see that As Moses and Elijah began to leave, Peter suggested that they build 3 shrines for Jesus, Moses and Elijah.

Apparently Jesus ignored Peter’s suggestion.

Peter may been off base in treating Moses and Elijah as equal with Jesus.

As great at Moses and Elijah are, they are servants, Christ is the Eternal Son of God.

Peter also may have been reflecting an understandable desire to hold on to the blessing of this experience.

As a teen I was tremendously blessed at Summer Camps - teaching of the Word, touch of the Holy Spirit. - dreaded leaving camp and going back home, off the mountain and into the valley.

Can’t live on the mountain top, can’t put blessings of the Holy Spirit in a box to enjoy later, cannot control the holy.

The Holy Spirit is in control of who He blesses, how He blesses and when He blesses.

Be open to the receive the fullness of what He does when He does it!

Don’t try to make it happen again.

IV. V. 34

a. The overwhelming suddenly became even more overwhelming!

i. Was this cloud a natural cloud God used at this moment?

ii. Was this the Shekinah Glory of God that filled the Tabernacle and Temple in the Old Testament?

iii. Peter, James and John were frightened as this cloud surrounded them.

b. V. 35

i. The voice of God the Father announces to the 3 disciples who Jesus is!

ii. Peter had declared this earlier through the inward revelation of the Father, now these 3 hear the voice of God declaring the uniqueness of Jesus Christ!

ii. He is the Son of God, He is the Chosen One.

iv. LISTEN TO HIM!

v. Christ is the One Who gets the final word.

vi. He alone determines what is right or wrong.

vii. There is no your truth, or my truth, He is the truth and anything that is in contradiction to Him is false, it is wrong, it is not be followed.

V. V. 36

a. When the cloud was gone, so were Moses and Elijah.

b. Jesus is all that remained. And He is enough.

c. Robert Stein comments, “The account centers on Jesus, not on Moses and Elijah and not even on Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. The law and the prophets pointed to Jesus. He is the essence and the heart of God’s revelation. Anything that detracts from Jesus “alone,” such as Peter’s suggestion in 9:33, loses sight of the fact that believers in the early church were called “Christians” (Acts 11:26) because Jesus “alone” was the ground of their faith. Therefore when anyone seeks to add something, making the Christian faith “Jesus +,” a basic misunderstanding of the Christian faith has occurred.[1]” (NAC p. 286)

The Transfiguration was a moment of glory for our Lord. His 3 closest friends were allowed to see, to really see Him as He is. But even in that moment the shadow of the Cross was there. The Lawgiver and the Prophet talked to the Christ about His approaching death, resurrection and ascension.

The human Jesus could go through the darkest valley of all time because He knew there was another mountain coming. Actually an unending plateau that is higher, far, far higher than the highest mountain we can imagine. An eternity of ruling over the Kingdom of God.

But He had to go through the agony of the Garden of Gethsemene, a false arrest, a kangaroo trial, beatings, humiliation and crucifixion.

That is the way that my sin and your sin could be paid for and the way of our salvation made sure.

Believe that and be saved!

But your path may be hard. God may allow suffering and pain - in your body and in your soul. But Jesus will walk with you through the darkest valley and in the end, there is a place for you and me, if we believe, with Christ for all eternity.

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved! Trust in the goodness of God when you only see darkness, and Christ will carry you through.

Listen to the good news of the Gospel, let the Holy Spirit open your eyes, and see, really see the Christ as He is.

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.