“Christ’s Glory is Revealed”
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Good morning, turn in your Bibles with me to Isaiah 40 and verse 5. Today, I want to take some time to explain to you the meaning behind the transfiguration of Christ. I think that there have been many Christians who read the Gospels and wonder what exactly does this mean? We know that Jesus was Transfigured, but there is a bit of a mystery behind this.
5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Isaiah helps us to learn that the Lord Jesus is the glory of God made manifest in the incarnation. Jesus was fully man and yet He was also fully God and the disciples were about to understand that as we will see from Luke chapter nine. We know that when we read the Old Testament there were many times in which God revealed himself by His Attributes. The Glory of God appeared to Moses through a burning bush. God appeared to His people as they journeyed through the wilderness as a pillar of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night. Whenever the glory of the Lord appeared, it manifested the presence of God himself.
In the New Testament the Apostle Paul called Jesus the Lord of glory in 1 Corinthians chapter 2, and James referred to Him as our glorious Lord Jesus Christ in James chapter 2.
While there are several different views here on the actual meaning of the transfiguration I believe that this is a preview of the Lord’s second coming, when He will return in full visible glory. Having promised His glorious return in verse 26, which would not come in their day, Jesus promised an event to happen to verify to His hearers who He was. He told his hearers, But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here like Peter James and John who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God. This was a Hebrew colloquial expression for dying, so that the preview that they would have of Christ’s transfiguration would help them to know Christ’s divine nature. Christ did this so that they would be encouraged in their faith.
The amazing event that Peter, John, and James were about to witness was designed to reinforce their faith in Christ and his kingdom promises. There are times in our lives where we too need to be strengthened in the faith. This is why we need to come together as a church family. This is why we need to sing and praise our risen Savior. This is why we need prayer and fellowship. All of these things can help strengthen our faith in Christ. These men had been waiting and hoping for the kingdom since they first began to follow Jesus and now they would actually see a glimpse of the kingdom itself. As the Lord takes His three apostles with Him on the mountain to pray, we learn 4 specific things about the Lord’s transfiguration. Turn with me to Luke chapter 9.
28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
1. The Transformation.
1. The Transformation.
28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.
(Story about my wedding day and Jennifer walking down the aisle. Things were going to be different.)
-Jennifer is so beautiful and now going to be my wife.
-She will take my last name.
-But more importantly she is the perfect helpmate that God has given me.
As Jesus is praying and his disciples are dozing off, the appearance of His face became different. The gospel of Matthew tells us that Jesus was transfigured. This is where we get our english word for metamorphosis. The radiance on the face of Jesus was not a reflection. It was the divine glory coming from the second person of the Trinity, who shares the fullness of the divine glory.
Because of this we also see that this radiated through His body so much so that even His clothing became white. Mark’s gospel tells us that Jesus became radiant. This was a white that was pure, without any defect, or without any blemish. Peter, James, and John saw the very glory of God and this experience left an impression on these three men that they would never forget. Later on in the gospel of John we learn about this.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Church, when we understand all that Christ is and has done for us we too can live different lives just like these disciples. Has Christ changed your life? If so what are you doing for Christ today? May we be led to tell others the good news about our Lord.
2. The Conversation!
2. The Conversation!
30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
Jesus is not the only person present from the eternal kingdom. We now learn that two other men were talking with Jesus and they were Moses and Elijah. They appear in the splendor of glorified bodies and they are recognizable to the Apostles. But why do these two men appear? Moses and Elijah were both witnesses who could be trusted and truly loved God. Moses was the great and most revered leader in Israel’s history. He is the one who led his people out of slavery from Egypt. He also gave the people God’s laws so that they might live according to them. Elijah was one of the greatest and most respected prophets. He was also one of two men not to experience death, but to be taken directly to heaven.
The topic of these men’s conversation here is about the Lord’s departure or His death, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Church this shows us that the Lord’s death was the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan. What was hard for so many people including the Lord’s disciples was to accept that the Lord’s death was in the divine plan. Of course these Old Testament representatives in that of Moses and Elijah understood this because they had already been in the presence of God and understood His plan of redemption.
The Lord’s death can often seem very unfair or unjust. Some of you today have dealt with injustices to you and you feel angry and upset at how things have turned out. So, we need to be reminded of how the end of the Lord’s story unfolds. Because of the injustice done to Christ we can be set free from sin, satan, and eternal damnation in hell. Yes, we all will face injustice, suffering, and even tragedy. We may not find ultimate solutions or hope here on earth. However, ultimate rest will be found in a new eternal home because we know that our just and merciful Savior will someday welcome us home where there will be no more sin, suffering, and pain. Praise the Lord!!! Is your trust in Christ today? May we be reminded again in what He has done for us.
3. The Realization.
3. The Realization.
32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.
The Lord has been transformed and Moses and Elijah show up, and now we learn that Peter and his fellow Apostles were overcome by sleep. We are not for sure exactly why this was other than the text tells us plainly that they were just tired. Once Peter and these other men begin to open their eyes they realize something very powerful. You see Jesus did not bring these men up on a mountain for nap time, but to witness His glory. When they were fully awake they now see His glory and these two men who were with him.
We are not told how long this wonderful scene lasted, but eventually Moses and Elijah began to leave and Peter speaks. First, Peter says that it is good for us to be here. This is exactly what these men needed and had been waiting for. This wonderful vision was intended to strengthen our Lord’s disciples. These men had heard about the cross and denying their selves and even suffering. However, they were also now encouraged by a glimpse of the glory that would follow later and the reward which all faithful servants of Jesus will one day receive.
Peter also suggests here, let us make three tabernacles: one for you, and one for Moses and Elijah. Peter was excited and hopeful. Peter has in mind here the Feast of the Tabernacles where the Jewish people built tents or lived in tents because they were celebrating their exodus from Egypt, and now he was thinking of Jesus exodus from the world. What Peter was doing was to try and divert Jesus from His suffering and clearly Peter did not know what he was saying as Luke tells us.
Before Jesus was crowned King of Kings he would go to the cross and suffer much. In fact, the path to the kingdom meant that Jesus would first go to Calvary. The realization here of who Jesus was would help these men for the rest of their lives. This would also reassure them of the reality of the coming kingdom.
4. The Revelation.
4. The Revelation.
34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
As Peter is speaking, God the Father now interrupts him with a cloud that formed and began to overshadow them. This cloud was a visible representation of God’s presence in shekinah glory. What these men saw and witnessed that day was incredible. And now they heard the voice of God and they were afraid.
We live in a time where many people wonder who Jesus truly is. God the Father now reveals to us who Jesus is. The voice of God declares to us who Jesus truly is. He is the god man. He is the chosen one.
God’s voice needs to be heard more than anything today. Sadly, there are many noises all around us that often drown out the truth. There are also many who are not listening or paying attention.
In 1984 an Avianca Airlines jet crashed in Spain. Investigators studying the accident made an eerie discovery. The black box in the cockpit recorded several minutes before impact, revealed much of the problem. The computer-synthesized voice from the plane’s automatic warning system told the crew repeatedly in English, “Pull up, pull up.” The pilot, evidently thinking the system was malfunctioning, snapped, “Shut up, Gringo!” and switched the system off. Minutes later the plane plowed into the hillside of the mountain killing everyone on board. When I heard this tragic story it reminded me of how often people fail to listen to the important instructions of life and disregard the warning messages that our loving Father often speaks to us about. How does God speak to us? He speaks to us in several ways. Through His Son and through His Word.
a. God’s chosen one.
a. God’s chosen one.
Jesus is declared to be God’s Son. This voice from heaven affirms that Jesus is the one who is sent by God and who has God’s authority. Now that Christ has come we are to listen to Him because God speaks to us through His Son.
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
Over and over again throughout the gospels we see Jesus teaching His disciples. We often see the Lord teaching others as well. Do you want to know what God thinks about something? Then listen and follow the teaching of Jesus. Do you want to know what is on the mind of the Father? Read what Jesus tells us in the Gospels. When it comes to salvation Jesus is the final word. When it comes to life, the Lord Jesus is constantly telling us how to live. We are to listen to Jesus alone. When the cloud disappears only Jesus remains. This helps us to see that He is greater than Moses and Elijah and all the other prophets.
3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.
b. We are to listen to Christ and obey His Word.
b. We are to listen to Christ and obey His Word.
28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
When it comes to the question of who is Jesus, who are you listening to? Are you listening to the crowds? Are you listening to social media? Are you following your own knowledge? Or are you following God’s Word? To get to know Jesus, we have to listen to His very words. And God’s Word is the truth that we must follow. God’s word will never lead you astray or down a hurtful path. God’s Word will always guide you to obedience and peace. Get into it, listen to it, and then obey it.
Conclusion: Jesus knew that the time for a public disclosure of who He was had not yet come. After the Lord’s death, resurrection, and ascension His apostles would tell about what they saw to everyone they came into contact with. They would make famous the name of Jesus and the world would be turned upside down.
6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
Church, God’s glory has truly been shown to us. As we open up His word it reveals to us all that we need to know about the Lord.
Because God is gracious, He pardons our sins freely in Christ. Because God is merciful, He rescues us from the sufferings that result from sin, including His eternal wrath, and restores us to a right relationship with Him. If you do not know Christ today, call out to Him by confessing your sin and believe that Jesus died and rose again and then begin to walk in obedience as you follow Christ.
(Close in Prayer)
(Communion)
