New Perspective On Jesus

Mark 08:27- 9:13 15th July 2007

New Perspective on Jesus

Unfortunate they often say chapter divisions in the Bible, were written by man on a train!!?

I suspect he got to station at 8:38! This tremendous mountain-top experience happens so quickly on events described at the end of chapter 8 - New Perspectives on Jesus

i) The Disciples were excited, disturbed – they’d been away with Jesus - Holiday

He’d asked them “Who do people say I am” What’s the word on the street?

Then it became more personal “Who do you say I am?” "You’re the Christ!" v29

They understand Jesus’ Identity as the Christ the Messiah the Son of God

ii) Yet the story of the blind man healed by stages at Bethsaida suggests they only see Jesus in a blurred way as those who see men like trees walking! 8:24

Confused about the fact Jesus talks about his suffering and death v31ff

He tells how he must suffer be rejected die and rise again

Can’t get their minds around the issue of Jesus’ Death –

doesn’t fit with the popular idea of Messiah!

iii) Jesus realises how shocked they are by all this and seeks to minister to them –

Gives them a new eternal perspective and points to His return in glory 8:38

Three major issues raised here then His Identity His Death and His Glory

9:1 And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power!

Jesus not talking about waiting till his 2nd coming - but sooner = its in your life time!

You’ll see the Kingdom of God come with power!!

Q? What does he mean? They’ll see events that will assure them of who He is

see things that reassure them about his Death and will see His glory revealed!

see events take place that will clear away all their doubts like melting snow!

Let’s look at these 3 Issues begin with Jesus glory

1. JESUS SHOWS US THE GLORY OF GOD

6 days after Peter’s confession, Jesus took Peter James & John up a high mountain.

Not told which – but we know they’d been in the North Caesarea Philippi so probably Hermon Pretty high at 9,200ft - the views must have been breathtaking.

If you’re a walker you know how exhilarating that would be.

Q? Why does Jesus take them there? To be alone v2 Luke suggests for prayer.

To show them something that would dispel all their doubts and fears – His Glory!

v2says “He was transfigured before them, His clothes became dazzling white whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.”

Jesus reveals His glory in a new way - til then it was by his miracles- signs - acts of power They’d seen him heal the sick, cure incurables and even raise the dead

But now he is transfigured before them - Meta Morphosed

e.g. children’s programme presented by Tony Hart and a little character called Morph made out of Plasticine - who changes shape

Jesus Changes before their eyes – He is transformed

Matthew says His face shone like the sun.

Luke tells us His clothes were as bright as a flash of lightning

Q? So what were they seeing?

i) A Glimpse of Heaven - the exalted Christ John saw on Patmos vision when he needed reassurance for his own life and the Church as they faced persecution and times of trial and tribulations?

John says He saw Jesus face 1:16 "like the sun shining in all it’s brilliance"

Mark tells us here that they were so frightened (v6) No wonder

ii) In OT days GLORY described God dwelling among His people His Shekinah glory God Tabernacling –camping among them appearing under protection of a Cloud. Remember how "The cloud covered the tent of meeting and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle so that Moses could not enter it. Exod 40:34 Again when Solomon built the Temple we’re told a cloud filled the Temple for the Glory of the Lord filled His temple. 1 Kngs 8:10

God’s awesome presence is His glory and human beings trembled before him

Now here on Hermon Jesus reveals the same glory to Peter James and John

iii) There are Parallels with Mount Sinai Exod 24:15 when Moses collected 10Cs

Went up the Mountain, Cloud covering it, a Delay of 6 days, God’s Voice spoke!

Now this same God who appeared to Moses is revealing himself to Peter James and John

John remembers this experience of Jesus glory when he wrote his gospel 1:14

"The Word- Jesus - became flesh and tabernacled among us. We’ve seen His glory, the glory of the one & only Son who came from the Father."