Transfiguration Applied: 7 Characters and their Relationship to Jesus
Notes
Transcript
There are 5 elements of a story:
Characters
Setting
Plot/Climax
Conflict
Resolution
Setting: Coming Down the Mountain
Setting: Coming Down the Mountain
Setting: From the 3 Disciples’ Perspective
Coming Down from the Mountain, the disciples were presented with three contrasts:
Mountain vs Valley - They had just had a powerful “mountaintop” experience in the transfiguration. Now they had to come down.
Alone with Jesus vs Crowds - The sweet fellowship is quickly replaced with factions
Peace vs Chaos - The quiet in the mountain gives way to loud arguments
The 3 had recieved special revelation of Christ’s deity
Characters
Characters
I. 9 Disciples were Inadequate
I. 9 Disciples were Inadequate
Story from their perspective:
Jesus leaves them and they are accosted by crowds.
They hear the plea of the father with the DP Boy. They feel bad for the father and the boy, so they try to help.
They had reason to believe they could help:
He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the road except a staff—no bread, no traveling bag, no money in their belts, but to wear sandals and not put on an extra shirt. He said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that place. If any place does not welcome you or listen to you, when you leave there, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons, anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
They had authority aver Demons, but they were unable to accomplish this work.
Feeling inadequate, and they were. Inability is a limitation, but not a fault.
Jesus shows up from his trip with the three. They would have felt left out.
Jesus casts out the demon quickly. They would be feeling embarrassed when they ask about why they couldn’t work.
The answer is simple: they needed Jesus. This was no accident. Jesus left the 9 and took the 3 on purpose. Even if Jesus didn’t know what was going to happen next, God allowed the Apostles to fail or purpose.
“If only they knew what took place on the mountain!” NO!
The 3 didn’t understand, and neither would the 9. Instead, the Jesus that was transfigured coming down the mountain has a similar effect without the glow.
II. Crowd and Scribes were Mistaken about Jesus
II. Crowd and Scribes were Mistaken about Jesus
Arguing.
Two groups are mentioned.
Scribes were “lawyers.” They would have had a deep knowledge of what the Law and Practice had to say about demon possession. We have no idea why there was an argument. Perhaps they called the father or son out on sin. Perhaps they were speculating about why the exorcism wouldn’t work. We just don’t know.
We do know that they were excited to see Jesus and they crowded him immediately.
They are called an “Unbelieving Generation,” possibly inclusive of the disciples. This is an echo of the OT information you will find all over the Psalms and Prophets.
The crowds witness the exorcism, a unique situation with Jesus. He had rarely done his signs publicly.
However, they immediately think he failed. “he’s dead”
Clearly, the Crowds needed Jesus. They know they like him and the spectacle he brought. They don’t know, however, who he is. Peter makes that clear: “Some say John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets.”
The signs that Jesus performed didn’t help them change, at least not on the whole. There were still unbelieving crowds and scribes under the very best preaching. . .even after a successful exorcism.
III. the Boy’s Father was Desperate
III. the Boy’s Father was Desperate
Be careful reading scripture.
KJV ‘And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.”
This is no flat saying. The man would have been serious, tense, and possibly hysterical.
This is a Loving father. He had tried everything. He had likely spent his son’s lifetime protecting him from self harm. From doctor to doctor, the man likely had spent his resources to find a cure. Nothing had worked.
It is in this context that the father sought Jesus out. Instead, he found only the disciples.
Once more, the plan to help his son would not work. Devastated, the man likely had given up hope again.
But then, Jesus showed up.
He spoke up in the crowd, desiring to have his son healed.
Here is what he asks: “If you can help us, please do.”
Jesus’ response will be dealt with in a minute, but take a moment to understand the man. He wasn’t going to let his hopes get up; not again.
This changes as Jesus gives a chance for repentance. “I do believe; help my unbelief” - not duplicitous like in James. There is no half-heartedness here. This phrase is a broken man repenting!
This father needed Jesus, and Jesus was just what he got.
Before we turn to the boy and Jesus, there is one more character I want to look at.
IV. Demons were Obedient
IV. Demons were Obedient
We need to talk a little about demons. Prepare yourself: this can get a little out there. My plan is to give you what you need and no more:
First, we need to talk against what is commonly taught on demons. Many people think there are demons of alcohol and tobacco; demons of pornography and anger; demons of sickness and mental illness. This is all false. There are demonic powers, but not like that.
The main reason we need to avoid this kind of thinking is because it takes our eyes off of Jesus. We spend too much attention on the demonic and satanic, and then avoid the solution to that problem.
There is one more issue that we need to address in relation to demons: There is certainly demonic power associated with false doctrine and unbelief. But, sin is not the result of controlling demons. Problems with this view:
Yield to temptation has no personal responsibility (demons made me do it)
fooled into thinking we’re powerless (I need a minister to help me)
So, here we learn of a Deaf and Mute Spirit: What is going on here? Didn’t I just say this is a problem? Yes, but Mark is not talking like that. The point is that there is spiritual truth behind the physical reality. Things are Spiritually true first.
Take, for example, this passage in Daniel.
Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me shaking on my hands and knees. He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man treasured by God. Understand the words that I’m saying to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you.” After he said this to me, I stood trembling.
“Don’t be afraid, Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days, for the vision refers to those days.”
Daniel had prayed for twenty-one days and had his prayers unanswered. The reason, says the angel, is because the “prince of the Kingdom of Persia” hindered him.
This passage is not about praying for twenty-one days, but does reveal something important: spiritual things that we cannot see are happening behind the physical things that we can see.
the Kingdom of Persia was a real kingdom, and it apparently had some spiritual power behind it. Again in the NT,
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.
Kingdoms/Powers/Authorities in the Heavenly Places. There is a war going on in the universe all the time. That war is not magic and incantations.
Instead, Paul tells us exactly what is going on in Corinthians. Ideologies/Strongholds,
For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Our battle is against ideologies, arguments, false doctrine, and sin itself. Demonic power is in those things
And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no great surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will be according to their works.
Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
This works the other way as well: ASIDE: Lampstands and Angels in Revelation. Angelic/spiritual power in the churches.
When the Demon sees Jesus, it Throws the boy down, causes him to foam at the mouth, grind his teeth, become rigid, and the father said it often threw him into fire or water to destroy him.
It recognizes Jesus immediately as who he is. Notice none of the previous groups understood the person and work of Christ, and they never do in Mark. The Demons, however, always know who he is and yet they didn’t experience conversion. We’ll come back to that.
Shrieking (mute boy made noise). Apparently the supernatural mute-ness was part of keeping the boy down. Supernatural affliction.
So, we have powerful demons with the ability to cause supernatural affliction. We have visible ailments caused by spiritual truths, and those truths are represented in ideologies and doctrine that are false.
What is the solution?
Obedient to Jesus. The demons had to obey Jesus. This is why the Pharisees called him Beelzebub (Prince of Demons)! He has AUTHORITY over the demons and evil. No need to protect him. God is sovereign over good and evil and everything in between. God is sovereign over the spiritual authorities.
Binding and Loosing. . .NO!
Demons are dependent on Jesus for existence, and had to ask permission Job 1:6-12 Down fido.
One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?”
“From roaming through the earth,” Satan answered him, “and walking around on it.”
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.”
Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven’t you placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
“Very well,” the Lord told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, do not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.
V. Boy was Redeemed
V. Boy was Redeemed
Bound with demons. He could not hear or speak. No communication. Self-harm, near death experiences.
His loving father tried everything, and yet he tried to kill himself. No power in family.
The crowds were concerned with the situation, and they couldn’t do anything for him. No power in group-think/culture
The apostles had compassion (presumably), and couldn’t do anything. No power in mercy ministry.
The boy was Saved by Jesus. The power he needed was Jesus’ deity. The Christ that was revealed by the transfiguration is the power the boy needed.
The solution to demons, as we have said, is the authority of Jesus. That authority extends over everything, but in a particular way over the church. Converted Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He fills them and helps them. There can be no possession when the Holy Spirit has indwelt a Christian.
Which leads us to a serious question: Why did the boy have the demon? Jesus can keep people from having demons affect them, and yet he encountered many demon possessed people.
For the good of the boy and the glory of God. It was better that the boy have a demon than didn’t. You may disagree, but let me see if I can get you there.
He was converted by Christ MT 12:43-44
“When an unclean spirit comes out of a person, it roams through waterless places looking for rest but doesn’t find any. Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to my house that I came from.’ Returning, it finds the house vacant, swept, and put in order.
(demons return unless the house is occupied, return no more).
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
The freedom from the Spirit is tied to conversion. If you want to say freedom can come from somewhere else, we have a problem. If you want to say that you can have demons and the Spirit, we have another problem.
So, if the boy was converted, and I believe he was, then Romans 8:28 applies.
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Therefore, it was for the boy’s good, the people’s good, and God’s glory that the boy had the unclean spirit, and Jesus was in charge of the whole thing.
VI. Jesus, the main character, was in charge
VI. Jesus, the main character, was in charge
Calm in Chaos. Jesus arrives on the chaotic scene, is accosted by the crowds, and he gently asks a question.
Does this not remind you of Moses coming down from the mountain with the stone tablets? The people at the bottom of the mountain are filled with disbelief!
Questions:
Argument? - “Take any difficulties you have with them and place them on my account. Your battle is with me.”
How long do I put up with you? - “Seriously, guys? You’ve been at this since the beginning!” The unbelieving generation does not include the disciples. It is instead an indictment against the scribes and crowds.
How long has this been happening? - Any bearing on the child? No. Compassion on the man.
If you can? - “you are expressing disbelief”
Authority over Demons, not because of demonic power, but because of deity. We can see this in that the demon was mute and deaf. Jesus SPOKE to a DEAF spirit. He spoke and accomplished with his speaking. Different from us. We speak and then have to accomplish; Jesus speaks and it is done.
Authority in a Chaotic situation, authority over the whole situation the whole time. He didn’t move quick because of the self-harm potential.
The miraculous is highlighted here, but is not the climax of the story. Salvation and Faith belong to the Lord. His offer of an opportunity for repentance for the man and declaration of salvation for the boy are both the same thing. His sovereignty extends over all the means and ends. And yet, there is some volition at work.
Authoritative teaching. MK 1:22 Jesus revealed publicly his authority and power and deity. Then he taught his disciples.
They were astonished at his teaching because he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes.
Conflict and Resolution
Conflict and Resolution
Conflict: disbelief
Conflict: disbelief
What is the conflict in our story? Is it the demon possessed boy? Not hardly. Jesus is the main character, and the demon posed no threat.
Is it the crowds? It seems like Jesus is getting ready for public ministry. He had to be hated to die. No, he wanted the crowds to see. (missing “tell no-one)
Perhaps we think it would be the disciples? This doesn’t work either. The inability of the disciples is not rebuked by Jesus like he did other things.
The conflict seems to come from disbelief/lack of faith.
Resolution: posture of Prayer and faith
Resolution: posture of Prayer and faith
Prayer. The Resolution to the conflict is found in Prayer.
Prayer is about submission on the part of the pray-er. Dependency on Jesus is central. He wasn’t saying “you didn’t pray; I did. I win because of my prayer life.”
No, He is saying that they need him. They don’t need to work harder to have what they need, but more dependency on Christ and what he has already given.
The doubts and disbelief from the crowd do not deter Jesus or render his work ineffective, as we would normally think. He wasn’t waiting on enough faith like the Christmas Spirit-o-meter in Elf. He spoke, and the boy was healed.
We are not saying prayer saves you, but that the posture of prayer is a pre-requisite to salvation. Humility is the attitude with which we are saved. MT18:4
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Or take Augustine’s quote
I wish you to prepare for yourself no other way of seizing and holding the truth than that which has been prepared by [God]…in that way the first part is humility; the second, humility; the third, humility. - Augustine
But, Pastor Andrew, you already said Jesus is in charge of everything. He can allow demons for God’s glory, and get rid of them for the same. Why pray at all?
Here is the answer:
The boy wasn’t saved because of laying on of hands: The father had tried everything
The boy wasn’t saved because of faith: the apostles had faith
The boy wasn’t saved by prayer: Jesus didn’t pray in that moment like he usually did
The boy was saved by Jesus occupying his heart! Prayer has to do with dependence on Christ.
So, does prayer change things? Yes. It is the means Christ has chosen to accomplish his tasks on earth. Does prayer change God’s mind? no. God is not receiving your wise counsel. He isn’t learning new information. God is not dependent on you; you are dependent on Him!
Climax: Faith
Climax: Faith
So what is the point of the story? The climax of the story is not in Jesus’ miracle, the demon possessed boy, or the teaching after the event. Rather, the climax of this story is the father’s faith.
“For Mark the significance of Jesus cannot be fully conveyed by what he does, but only by who he is. One can be amazed by a miracle, but one can only trust and believe a person.” - James R. Edwards
So, what is faith?
So, what is faith?
Faith has an object.
Faith has an object.
Faith in Faith is deaf
Faith in Faith is deaf
Faith in self is dumb
Faith in self is dumb
Faith in Christ “As he is offered to us in the gospels” is necessary
Faith in Christ “As he is offered to us in the gospels” is necessary
Christ AS GOD
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Do You Know about the Christ of the Bible? Do you have a good grasp of the facts? Substitutionary Atonement?
Do You Know about the Christ of the Bible? Do you have a good grasp of the facts? Substitutionary Atonement?
If not, Why not? Come see me or another officer. Pick up a Bible. Ask a friend you know is a Christian.
Faith is belief
Faith is belief
Belief in the facts
Belief in the facts
Belief is not Deaf, Dumb, or Blind
Belief is not Deaf, Dumb, or Blind
How do you know if you believe? Belief at points of crisis (God didn’t do what I thought, God’s Word conflicts with other beliefs I hold, etc.)
Do you believe the facts that you know about Jesus? Do you have difficulty believing the miracles; the perfect, sinless life; the resurrection?
Do you believe the facts that you know about Jesus? Do you have difficulty believing the miracles; the perfect, sinless life; the resurrection?
If not, why not? If you lack wisdom (fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom), ask of God! Pray
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.
Faith is Entrustment
Faith is Entrustment
Demons Believe and Know (James 2:19
You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder.
“Saving faith is not a cold, empty rationalism that simply gives intellectual assent to facts. At the same time, it is not a blind entrusting of ourselves into the hands of someone else. Instead, it is a warm, intellectually vital embrace of the Savior and His promises, believing that He can and will do all that He has pledged. It is the willingness to trust Him and His Word in any and all circumstances, and an eagerness to repent when we doubt Him.” - Ligonier Magazine
Chair demonstration: Chairs are for sitting, I believe this chair is sturdy enough to hold my weight, but I don’t entrust myself to the chair until I sit down. Until I, by faith, repent of my sin and commit to walk in new life.
Do you trust in the facts that you know and believe? Are you trusting Christ to save you, or your own works? Are you relying on God grading on the curve, or on His perfect righteousness?
Do you trust in the facts that you know and believe? Are you trusting Christ to save you, or your own works? Are you relying on God grading on the curve, or on His perfect righteousness?
If not, why not? Today is the day! Consider John 3:36
The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.
Do not let today go by without knowing, believing, and trusting Christ, who is our light.