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Transfiguration
Mark 9: 2-9
March 2, 2003
*“Glory on the Mountain” *
A long time ago, when I was a teenager, I had the opportunity to go to a Christian gathering.
It took place on the side of a mountain in the state of Pennsylvania.
Young and old, black, brown, and white, people gathered together from all parts of America.
On that mountain we praised the Lord Jesus Christ.
We sang songs of praise and lifted our voices in prayer.
We heard great preachers preach.
We heard people testify to the work of God in their lives.
We camped in tents, sharing food with each other, and caring for each other.
There was a spirit of peace and unity in the air.
It seemed that surely this was a glimpse of heaven.
On that mountain we felt like we were in the glory and presence of God Himself, that the Glory of the Lord was there.
Then, almost as soon as it had begun, it ended.
It was over.
Though we didn’t want to, we had to leave.
The glory was gone and all that was left was for us to leave the mountain and go back to our ordinary lives.
A simple faith in Jesus had brought us to that mountain.
And a simple faith in Jesus was all we were left with as we came down from that mountain.
In the end, all we had was Jesus, only Jesus.
Peter, James and John went up a mountain with Jesus.
There they saw His glory, the glory of God.
Then the glory was gone and the voice of God was gone, Moses and Elijah were gone and all they saw was Jesus – Jesus, only Jesus.
Today is Transfiguration Sunday.
-What is meant by transfiguration?
What benefit can we derive from the transfiguration of our Lord?
What really took place there on that mountain many years ago?
What is there in the transfiguration of our Savior that can help us, comfort and support us, in our day-to-day living?
The transfiguration of Jesus described for us by Mark tells us that "Jesus took Peter, John and James, and went up on the mountain.”
Jesus took three witnesses with Him.
These three formed an inner circle among the twelve disciples of our Lord.
Luke tells us that Jesus took these three "and went up on the mountain to pray."
Frequently our Lord dismissed the crowds in order that He might be alone, and to pray to His heavenly Father.
It was good for Him, for His disciples, and it is also good for us to spend time in humble, fervent prayer with our heavenly Father.
Something very special takes place on that mountain.
We read: “There Jesus was transfigured before them.
His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.
Matthew tells us: "He was changed before them, His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light."
In other words, the whole body and being of Jesus shone forth with the splendor of heavenly glory.
It wasn't as though light was flooded onto Jesus, but rather light was emanating from Him.
It was, to be sure, a miracle!
While the Savior is drenched in this "splendor, glory, light" we are told that on that mountain, “Elijah appeared with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.”
Moses, you will recall, saw the glory of the Lord on another mountain.
On Mount Sinai Moses saw the glory of the Lord appear to Him in a burning bush where the Lord told Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egypt.
Then Moses saw the glory of the Lord when he received the Commandments to guide and instruct the people of Israel.
Almost 1500 years passed since God had buried Moses in an unknown grave on another mountain, now he is with Jesus beholding the glory of God in the Son of God’s Transfiguration.
Elijah the mighty Prophet of God also saw the glory of the Lord on another mountain.
He saw it when the glory of the Lord came down in an all consuming fire and burnt up the prophets of Baal.
Elijah, over 900 years earlier, had been taken to heaven by the Lord in a chariot of fire as our Old testament lesson tells us and now, in our Gospel lesson, stood in the Glory of the Lord once more.
Moses and Elijah were both seen there on the mountain by the three disciples.
Moses brought the Law.
Elijah was a victorious prophet who prefigured John the Baptist.
But Jesus was the Son of God full of grace and truth the Savior that Moses and Elijah had been waiting for, written about, and pointed to.
Like a compass points to the North, they pointed to Jesus Christ
A discussion takes place between Jesus, Moses and Elijah.
What was the subject of their conversation?
We are told they "spoke of Jesus' departure, which He was to accomplish at Jerusalem."
They spoke of Christ's great mission on earth and of His impending suffering and death.
In other words, their topic of conversation was Christ and His glorious work of redeeming lost mankind.
They talked about the most important thing that would ever take place in all of history.
Ought that not also be our main topic of conversation?
Can you possibly think of anything more vital, more important and more exciting than Christ and all that He has done, is doing, and will yet do for us?
In comparison, everything else is quite insignificant, inconsequential, unimportant and trivial.
There is absolutely nothing like the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation that Jesus Christ freely offers all people.
O that we might receive these blessings Jesus had one more mountain to climb to complete His ministry on earth -- His agonizing climb to Mount Calvary.
There He would pour out His life's blood so that we and all mankind might be redeemed and rescued from an eternity of hopelessness and doom and, by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, inherit the crown of glory.
Beyond "Calvary's Mournful Mountain" there was for Jesus and for all His followers a perfect and everlasting glory.
Here on the Mount of Transfiguration Peter, James and John were given a glimpse of that glory.
They were given a glimpse of resurrection glory.
They were given a glimpse of the glory that they would share with their Lord in the life to come.
It is also a glimpse of the glory that you and I will share with Jesus Christ on the glorious day of our own resurrection.
And now Peter, impulsive, and not having the gift of long silence, speaks…Peter says to Jesus, "it is good that we are here.”
Let us make three shelters,/ /one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah."
Peter is excited!
He's ecstatic!
He is unable to contain himself!
It was so wonderful being in the glorious company of Moses, Elijah and Jesus!
It was really a foretaste of heaven!
Peter wanted to stay right where they were, basking in the glory of God.
Can we blame him?
Our text goes on, “And a voice came out the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son.”
For all who have doubts or misgivings as to who Jesus is, God Almighty Himself gives the answer.
The Father says, "This is My Son, My Chosen."
While we think of Jesus as true man, we should never forget that the Christ of Bethlehem and Calvary was, and is, the eternal Son of God.
He is the "King of kings and the Lord of lords."
He is, as we confess, "God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God."
He is the very Son of God and only Savior of the World!
Not only does the Father declare, "This is My beloved Son," but He adds: "Hear Him!"
Many other voices clamor for our attention in the world today.
But God the Father declares, "Listen to My Son!"
He is the only One worth listening to.
Listen to Jesus!
What is He saying…repent, turn from your evil ways and selfish ambitions and turn to me for forgiveness and salvation.
In my life, death and resurrection you will find rest for your souls.
Jesus calls to you and me to believe in Him.
"Suddenly, when the disciples looked around, they saw no one, only Jesus."
Moses was gone.
Elijah was gone.
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