When Jesus is Transfigured

Curtis Gordon

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Luke 9:28–32

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02 - When Jesus Is Transfigured

Friday, May 05, 2017

2:13 PM

Luke 9:

28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayingsa,† he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

a sayings: or, things

† A Greek word occurs that is not directly translated in the King James Version.

Greek Strongs: 2532

The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. Lk 9:28-32

Four Realities of the Transfiguration - The transfiguration is an amazing event told by three of the Gospel Writers. Matthew in chapter 17, Luke in Chapter 9, and our text Mark 9:1-12. I want to break this story up into four sections and try to look a little deeper at what Jesus was trying to accomplish here on the mountain with these disciples.

When Jesus Takes You Up The Mountain Alone 2It's To Show His Glory - Moses would have never had the privilege of seeing God's Glory if he had never climbed the mountain alone with God. Gideon might have given up and never won the battle had he not climbed the mountain and heard the dreams of the Midianites. Elijah would have never seen the "Fire Fall from Heaven," Had he never climbed up the mountain and there amongst a crowd of people stood alone at the altar with God. Yes we get a glimpse of God's glory only when we are alone with God on the mountain.

It's To Teach A Truth - It's not just a fireworks display, it has a purpose and a reason. Jesus needed to teach a couple of things to his disciples. Two things stand out.That He, Jesus was God in the flesh. The Second thing I think he wanted to teach them is that Suffering comes before Glory

It's To Further His Kingdom - Not right now but after his resurrection they could tell this story and further the kingdom. IN the mouths of two or three witnesses and all three saw this that day. It would have passed in the Jewish Court of Law with flying colors.

When Jesus Is Transfigured 2c - 4When You Realize You Can't Stay On The Mountain 5-8When People Realize You Have Been With Jesus 8-10

Tonight I want us to look at the thought "When Jesus is Transfigured." Focusing on Mark 9:2c-4 and Luke 9:28-32

One commentary gave seven reasons for the Transfiguration I want to share with you quickly:

1. Jesus needed a very special strength to face the pressure of the cross. In the transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane, God is shown strengthening His Son in a marvelous way. Jesus was enabled to become the sin-bearer for the world (2 Cor. 5:21).

2. The disciples needed their faith strengthened to face what lay ahead. Therefore, God gave them a glimpse of the glory of Jesus, that He is "the brightness of His glory, the express image of His Person" (Hebrews 1:3).

3. The disicples needed the quickening power and insight of God's Spirit, for Jesus was to be killed (Matthew 16:21; cp. Matthew 17:1-2). After the resurrection, the disciples' memory would need to be quickened to understand the spiritual significance of the cross. They would thereby become dynamic witnesses for Him. Remembering the transfiguration would stir their conviction.

4. The disciples needed to know that Jesus was more than a great lawgiver and a great prophet. In fact, He was the very Son of God who fulfilled all the Law and the Prophets (the Old Testament). He was the One who was to usher in the New Testament or covenant between God and man (see outline—• Matthew 5:17-18 and note—• Matthew 5:17-18; outline—• 2 Cor. 3:6-18 and notes—• 2 Cor. 3:6-18; cp. Matthew 9:16-17).

5. The disciples needed to see into the glory of the spiritual world and into the reality of life after death. The disciples needed to understand God's purpose in Christ: to save man eternally and to make it possible for man to be transferred from this world into the next upon death. The Messiah of the cross was God's way, not a messiah of power and dominion.

6. The disciples would need to be reminded of the glory of Christ in the future, for the cross was an ugly sight because of the blood and suffering and sin and death. But it was also a glorious event planned by God, through which He revealed His love and grace and through which He saves the world. (See outline—• Matthew 16:21-28 and notes—• Matthew 16:21-28.)

7. The disciples needed some glimpse into the glory that will be experienced when all believers are raised and transformed into the Lord's image. By seeing Moses and Elijah, the disciples saw two Old Testament believers who were still living, and they were living in a glorious state (Luke 9:30-31). They also knew that Christ had power over life and death. He could raise whom He wished from the dead to be in glory with Him.

, The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Luke, (Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "C. The Events of the Transfiguration: A Glimpse Into Glory, 9:28-36".

Just a quick overview of the events of the "Transfiguration" before we go on tonight:

1. Jesus took three disciples up into a mountain (v.28).

2. Event 1: Jesus was praying (v.28).

3. Event 2: Jesus' countenance and clothing were changed—a glittering white (v.29).

4. Event 3: two men appeared and talked with Jesus (v.30-31).

5. Event 4: three disciples witnessed the event (v.32-33).

6. Event 5: a cloud overshadowed them (v.34).

7. Event 6: a voice spoke to them (v.35).

8. Event 7: a stunned silence fell upon them (v.36).

As far as I can tell the "Transfiguration" experience is the only time during Jesus' earthly ministry where he revealed the glory of His person.

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament, Volume 1, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2001), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 207.

Remember the law of cause and effect - the cause of Jesus' "Transfiguration" wasn't because he went into a mountain, or because he took the special three with him. I think it was because He was praying. Now we are not given the contents of His prayer, but I have a feeling he was praying for His disciples.

Whatever he was praying, He got into the presence of God. There is just something about praying into the presence of God. I've spent many hours praying, but I sometimes leave and forget what I just prayed, but there is something different when you're praying and you KNOW that GOD is HERE!!!

Just a couple of things about our prayer life -

If Jesus had to pray - how much more ought we to pray. It's no wonder that we are told to "Pray without ceasing."When we pray we too can be "transfigured" Now I don't mean your clothes are going to become dazzling white, or even that your face is going to shine. But it does mean that as we pray we become more and more like the Lord. As we surrender body, mind, and will to the LORD.Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)

18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Jesus's glory was revealed during prayer - according to Paul we are changed by seeing this glory.

The disciples no doubt were changed when they saw the glory of Jesus revealed not just

(9:29) Jesus Christ, Deity— Glory: the second event was the change of Jesus' countenance and clothing. Note three points.

1. His countenance or face was altered and became different. "His face did shine as the sun" (Matthew 17:2). Imagine being as bright "as the sun!"

2. His clothing was altered and became different, a glittering or dazzling white. The word "glistering" or "dazzling" (exastraptōn PWS: 1699) means to flash like lightning, to gleam, brighten, be radiant.

"White as light" (Matthew 17:2).

"White as snow" (Mark 9:3).

"White and glistering" (Luke 9:29).

3. Jesus was praying when these changes took place. Apparently, He was concentrating so intensely and was so wrapped up in God that God transformed Him, that is, allowed His Godly nature to shine right through Him. The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Luke, (Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "C. The Events of the Transfiguration: A Glimpse Into Glory, 9:28-36".

That word transfigured is the same word we use to describe what happens to a caterpillar and a tadpole they go through Metamorphous they are radically changed from what they were before.A caterpillar crawls scraping out a meager existence on leaves and plants.A tadpole swims through the murky water eating whatever it canAnd then there comes a change, the cocoon bursts apart and the caterpillar has changed into a gorgeous butterfly.The legs develop on the tadpole and for once in it's life it can hop out of the water and feast to its hearts content on bugs and insects that come its way. Jesus was radically changed till there was no question of his Deity that day for these three.

The word transfigured describes a change on the outside that comes from the inside. It is the opposite of “masquerade,” which is an outward change that does not come from within. Jesus allowed His glory to radiate through His whole being, and the mountaintop became a Holy of Holies! As you meditate on this event, keep in mind that He has shared this glory with us and promised us a glorious home forever (). According to and , believers today can experience this same transfiguration glory.Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament, Volume 1, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2001), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 139.

I think prayer is the key to a transformed life.

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament, Volume 1, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2001), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 207.

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