A Glimpse Of Glory Series

Introduction:

A. What are the most glorious things you have ever seen?

1. The birth of a baby? A breathtaking sunset? The pounding ocean surf or the shear force of the water going over Niagara Falls?

2. As glorious as those things are, none of those things can even come close to the glorious sight that Peter, James and John experienced when Jesus was transfigured before them.

B. Centuries prior to the transfiguration event that we will explore today from the Gospel of Mark, we read about an event that took place in the book of Exodus when God came down on Mount Sinai in a cloud.

1. The voice of God spoke out of the cloud, and everyone was afraid.

2. Moses went to the top of the mountain and begged to see God’s glory: “Show me your glory – your infinite greatness and unimaginable beauty.”

3. And God responded, “When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by, but my face cannot be seen. No one may see me and live.” (Ex. 33:18-23)

4. Even though Moses was not able to see God’s glory directly, even getting that near to God was enough to make Moses’ face shine with the reflected glory of God.

C. And then, centuries after that event, we get to witness what occurred on a different mountain when the glory of God showed up and shined forth.

1. It was about a week since Peter had made his great declaration: “You are the Christ!”

2. A lot had happened since then, including Jesus’ teaching about suffering and rejection, and being killed and then coming back to life.

3. It was all a bit confusing for the apostles and yet Jesus’ demands were quite clear: to follow Jesus meant denying oneself and taking up the cross daily.

D. The day on which the transfiguration took place likely started like any other day.

1. Perhaps it was at breakfast that Jesus announced that He was going to take a walk up a nearby mountain and that Peter, James and John would accompany Him.

a. Perhaps the afternoon sun was high as they reached the top of the mountain and Peter, James and John collapsed on nearby rocks.

b. Perhaps they urged Jesus to sit down and rest with them, but He stood with His back to them staring into the heavens.

2. But then, as the three of them sat looking at Jesus, He turned around and was transfigured before them.

3. They sat there speechless as Jesus’ clothes became whiter and brighter than anything they had ever seen.

4. Then, suddenly, Moses and Elijah, two men of old appeared and were talking with Jesus.

5. Peter, James and John sat there frozen with fear, until Peter broke the silence by mumbling the words: “Rabbi, it’s good for us to be here. Let’s set up three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

a. Mark tells us that Peter didn’t know what else to say because they were terrified.

6. Immediately, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice like none they had ever heard said: “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him.”

7. As the sound of the voice faded, they looked around and everything was back to normal.

a. Jesus’ clothes were no longer radiant, Moses and Elijah were nowhere to be found, and the cloud had disappeared as quickly as it had come.

8. As Peter, James and John were coming down the mountain with Jesus, He ordered them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

a. Mark tells us that they mulled His words over in their minds wondering what “rising from the dead” meant.

9. The journey down the mountain must have seemed short compared to the journey up and surely those three disciples were never the same because they had seen a glimpse of glory.

E. Let’s explore this important episode in the life and ministry of Jesus by looking at two things: first, the elements of the transfiguration; and, second, the significance of the transfiguration.

I. The Elements of the Transfiguration

A. The account of the transfiguration is given in 3 out of the four Gospels, being omitted only by John.

1. The event took place about one week after Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah.

B. The mountain on which the Transfiguration occurred is not identified by name in the Gospels.

1. Although ancient tradition has favored Mount Hermon and Mount Tabor as likely candidates, numerous mountains throughout the Holy Land have been offered as potential locations.

2. Those who choose Mt. Tabor rely heavily on tradition, while those who chose Mt. Hermon rely more on Scripture.