Sermon Tone Analysis

Discipleship to distinction

This section has everything a good storyline needs.

A bold claim, a great promise, an astonishing display and an order to comply.

Jesus has been teaching about the cost of discipleship (Mk8:34-35) which included promised suffering (MK8:31).

Today from promised suffering to displayed glory with promised glory in the future.

Now a very significant verse to l

Denying self is not self-denial, but denying self, for Jesus it included suffering

What did Jesus say was going to happen (v.31)?

We know haw that went over, Peter in a worldly way tried to combat an uncomfortable reality that was to come.

That leads us to another reality statement.

Jesus makes a bold claim, promise (Mk8:38)

What is Jesus warning?

What is Jesus bold claim and promise?

Jesus claim of the return for the day of judgment when returns with the angels may I quickly note a couple of verses

and

Jesus makes a prophesy, promise to the Apostles there with Him (Mk9:1)

Jesus makes a prophesy, promise to the Apostles there with Him (Mk9:1)

I will go back and talk about this verse in a few minutes but this is one of those places the bible seems to have a poor break in chapters for (8:38 and 9:1 go with each other)

Jesus then displays His glory to them to give power to the claim (Mk9:2-7)

They see the glory of His sinlessness (Mk9:3)

They see the glory of His Sonship (Mk9:4-5, 7)

They see the glory of His suffering (MK9:7)

So now may we look at the passage then we will break it down

Beholding the kingdom (Mk9:1)

Beholding the majesty of Jesus (Mk9:2-6)

and

Beholding the majesty of the kingdom (Mk9:7)

What did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you?

Beholding the Kingdom

Jesus makes a very bold statement to support his claim about the coming day of judgment (Mk8:38) he brings in our verse here (Mk9:1) to support the claim.

Beholding, seeing the kingdom come with power (MK9:1)

Beholding, seeing the Son of man coming in His kingdom (Mt16:28)

So 9:1 - kingdom of God with power

16:28: Son of man coming in His kingdom

Beholding, seeing the kingdom of God (Lk9:27)

Now in the luke passage it too mentions the kingdom of God

Question: in the three passages there is another common thread, what is it?

Will not taste death (expand on this)

Power, let’s now discuss the power, for there have been many interpretations of what that means, so I will just present them you can draw your own conclusion

Kingdom coming in power

Jesus transfiguration on the mount (Mt9:2-8)

Jesus resurrection and ascension (1Cor15:4)

Outpouring of Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Act2:2-4)

Destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70

Finally, the day of judgement (Mk8:38)

Keep this is mind as we look at this, Jesus had been teaching about discipleship and His suffering that was to happen, right after He makes the bold statement (9:1) and then that leads us to (9:2); so, contextually it appears Jesus is speaking of something that was to happen immediately.

Look at one more passage then will move on.

After saying these things is what Luke records, so this is directly after that the transfiguration occurs, so now lets look at that.

Beholding the Majesty of Jesus

We are called to behold and this passage today we are going to behold the majesty of Jesus, the majesty of His kingdom.

So to behold is an old word, but it is used 1177 times in the Bible (NASB) and 164 of them are in the N.T. so what does the word mean?

be·hold

Dictionary result for behold: verb or present participle: beholding see or observe (a thing or person, especially a remarkable or impressive one).

/bəˈhōld/verbARCHAIC•LITERARYgerund or present participle: beholdingsee or observe (a thing or person, especially a remarkable or impressive one).

Heavenly Fathers says to behold Jesus (Mt3:16-17)

As we look at these following verses pick out what you behold

Beheld Jesus as He was transfigured (Mk9:2-3; Mt17:2; Lk9:29)

transfigured the Greek word metamorphoo where we get metamorphosis, which means to change, transfigure, transform.

What did you see, radiant white, as no one could do

Face shone like the sun, garments white as light

white and gleaming, if you saw these things you would behold wouldn’t you?

Peter states they saw His majesty (2Pt1:16)

Peter states they saw His majesty (2Pt1:16)

Behold the radiance of His glory (Heb1:1-3)

Beholding the majesty evidenced by presence of Moses and Elijah (Mk9:4 Lk9:30-31)

We know they were talking with Jesus but there is more we can learn too.

What do you notice, what do you learn about what they were talking about?

Mark is still keeping everything in context isn’t he? Going back to the suffering and the death, resurrection noted back in Mk8:31.

Beholding was not lost on Peter, after the apostles woke up (Mk9:5-6; Lk9:32-33)

oh, hold on, i said after they woke up

and then then finish it off

So here you are sleeping and you awake and see the glory of God and the manifestation of Gods power before you in by the appearance of Moses and Elijah.

Personally I think these two are for very specific reasons .

Moses represents the epitome of the Law and Elijah of the prophets

We still don’t have the full picture here, Peter thinks it is good to be there, but when he has the bigger, better picture, it will be great!

Though won’t know until after the resurrection and ascension.

Beheld the majesty of coming kingdom

If they were terrified before (Mk9:6) this next thing would really blow their sandals off their feet.

Beheld the majesty by voice from heaven (Mk9:7; Mt17:6-7; Heb1:1-2; Mt28:18; Lk24:26; Mk9:9)

In these verses, especially now the Matthew one, what do you see, notice?

While Peter was still speaking a not so still voice came from heaven and a cloud overshadowed them.

Cloud represented the presence of God and that frightened Israel when they were in the wilderness (Exo13:21; Exp19:9 and Exo20:18-19) - - - - these are not on your outline I just added them.

Well they were not dead were they, but they were on their face (see Mt17:6-7 we just read)

What was the command given by God (Mk9:7)?

So, this opens up how God was going to speak in those days and people should listen.

No longer was He going to speak through the Law (Moses) or the Prophets (Elijah) but through the Son (Heb1:1-2; we already read) in whom all authority has been given (Mt28:18)

This authority, rule and reign would transpire after Christ’s suffering, death, resurrection and ascension

Hence why they were told not to say anything, they did not know everything, did not understand everything.

But here is the verse.

Beheld the majesty by the absence of Moses and Elijah now (Mk9:8)

So after hearing the voice, the command and being comforted by Jesus they look up and only Jesus is there

This can symbolize that HE is all that is needed, no longer the Law for He fulfilled the Law and the prophets.

He is not a prophet, He is The Prophet sent from Heaven.

Drawing a conclusion

We have looked at, we have beheld the mount of transfiguration now you will have to draw a conclusion on the significance.

Personally in looking at this I come to this conclusion.

In context this is the fulfillment of what Jesus promised in Mk9:1)

Some saw the kingdom come in power

Some saw the Son of Man coming in His kingdom

Some saw the kingdom of God (rule, reign, authority)