January 27, 2019
The Transfiguration

Mark 9:1-8

Intro: Returning to Gospel of Mark, to recall who Jesus is, and what it means to follow Him. Left Mark back in August at a pivotal point. Religious leaders hostile, Jews excited/confused, Gentiles attracted. Peter declared God's revelation about Jesus: He is the Messiah! (Read Mark 8:27-29.) However, Peter and co. needed some significant correction about what that meant! (Read Mark 8:31-34.) How can the Messiah suffer, be defeated, die? Tension runs through rest of Gospel!

The Prediction! Jesus has just been speaking about "coming in His Father's glory w/the holy angels," (Mark 8:38.) His next statement must have thrilled His disciples, and it has caused questions ever since. (Read Mark 9:1.) What does Jesus mean by this statement? 1) Disciples would have thought it meant that God's kingdom would be clearly established w/in their lifetime, obvious to all. (Read Daniel 7:13-14.) What disciples didn't understand was that God's kingdom arrived in the person of Jesus, but it came as a mystery; (read Mark 1:15; Mark 4:30-32.) The obvious establishment of God's kingdom isn't what Jesus is talking about. 2) Jesus' second coming. Problem w/this view: Jesus didn't return in the disciples' lifetime! Some have wrongly concluded Jesus made a mistake! What did Jesus mean by "seeing the kingdom of God come w/power"? Some would witness in their lifetime an uncontestable display of God's powerful kingdom. Some of you will get to see something incredible!

The Fulfillment! (Read Mark 9:2-4.) Six days later, Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a high mountain. Jesus is transfigured before them. What does this mean? His appearance is transformed; they had only been seeing His humanity. Now, part of Christ's deity is revealed; they are given a glimpse of the glory that He had shared w/His Father and the Spirit before He came into the world. His clothes shine brighter than anything earth could manufacture. (Why does Mark mention this? Read Exodus 19:9-11.) Disciples recognize Elijah and Moses standing there, talking to Jesus! Why do they make an appearance? God predicted, through Moses, the coming Messiah! (Read Deuteronomy 18:15-19, especially the end of v. 15!) Malachi predicted that God would send His messenger, to prepare the way before His arrival, then identified that messenger to be Elijah! (Read Malachi 3:1, 4:5.) Peter, James and John get to see something incredible!

The Misunderstanding! (Read Mark 9:5-6.) Disciples are frightened! Peter speaks up anyway. He suggests building three booths, (or tabernacles,) for the three heavenly people to dwell in. Peter doesn't understand it at all! He thinks God's kingdom has now fully come, that this glorious mountaintop will be a permanent situation; Jesus, Moses, and Elijah will need somewhere to stay! Peter, James and John get to see something incredible, but they still don't get it!

The Voice! (Read Mark 9:7-8.) A cloud overshadows the mountain, a reminder of God's glory cloud that would signal His presence at Mount Sinai, the tabernacle, or the temple. God's voice speaks from the cloud, identifying Jesus: "This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!" (Second time God has said this; read Mark 1:11.) Notice the final command: "Listen to Him!" (Remember the end of Deuteronomy 18:15?!) Then, just as suddenly as the vision began, it's over. Peter, James and John see that now they are alone with Jesus. Almost anti-climactic, isn't it? It's just Jesus after all?! Until you remember all that came before, and remember God's clear declaration: "This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!" Seeing something incredible is good, but listening to this incredible Someone is essential!

Application: Post-Transfiguration, post-crucifixion, post-resurrection. Someone incredible has done something incredible! Do we get it? Are we listening to Him?