Ill:
• A school music teacher asked her class the difference between listening and hearing.
• At first there was no response.
• Finally a hand went up and a youngster offered this wise definition:
• “Listening is wanting to hear.”
• As Christians we believe the Spirit of God is always speaking to us:
• (And he does not need to shout!)
• The key is that we must want to hear Him (Are we sensitive to the Spirit’s voice?)
• Remember He does not waste his voice - He speaks to those who are willing to obey!
• In our passage this morning, God speaks;
• But it appears there is only one out of the four people who is actually listening!
(a). Introduction (Vs 1):
“After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.
The ‘six days’ previous is what we looked at this morning:
• When Jesus asked his disciples a question;
• Mark chapter 9 verses 29: “Who do you say that I am?”
• Simon Peter replied; “You are the Christ……”
• From that time on Jesus then explained to his disciples that he must die!
• This is the first time he had declared this news to his disciples;
• It is a watershed moment; From now on his direction is set for Jerusalem and the cross.
(1). The Purpose (Luke 9:23):
• For both Jesus and the disciples these six days were a time of reflection:
• And this secluded mountain gave them time for contemplation.
(a). For the disciples.
• Each day of that past week the disciples must have pondered and discussed,
• What Jesus meant by His death and resurrection.
• No doubt they tried to figure out how this related;
• To the Old Testament promises about the kingdom of God.
• Also if Jesus were going to build a church (i.e. Matthew’s gospel);
• What would happen to the promised kingdom?
(b). For Jesus.
• It too was a time of contemplation,
• Luke in his version of this event tells us (chapter 9 verse 29);
• Jesus went up the mountain to pray.
• He was thinking & praying through the situation that was a head of him in Jerusalem.
Ill:
• Imagine you are in a boat and you are approaching the river bank,
• You throw a rope and hook to the bank and pull.
• Question: Do you pull the river bank to you?
• Or do you pull yourself towards the bank?
• Prayer is not pulling God to my will,
• But the aligning of my will to the will of God.
• For prayer to be effective and bring victory,
• Surrender to God’s will and co-operation with God’s will is essential.
• Jesus went up the mountain to pray.
• He was again walking in the will and the strength of God the Father.
(2). The mountain:
• The text does not name the place where this miracle took place:
• So we do not know (but that of course does not stop people guessing!)
• If you read the Bible commentaries they will tell you that you have a choice of three;
• Although no-one knows with any certainty.
(a). Tradition says Mount Tabor.
• But Mount Tabor is quite small (1,900 ft high),
• Not quite the high mountain described in verse 2.
• Also Mount Tabor was also topped with a fortified city,
• Which would hardly give the peaceful setting Jesus required!
(b). Mount Hermon.
• Because both Matthew and Mark tell us it was a “high mountain”.
• Most scholars believe it was Mount Hermon, which is 9,400 ft high.
• More importantly it is only 14 miles away from Caesarea Philippi;
• Where Jesus and the disciples were staying six days earlier.
• And if you travel around on foot (i.e. 10 miles a day);
• Then this mountain is easily reached in six days.
(C). Mount Jebel Jermak (or Jermuk).
(a).
• Which is in upper Galilee,
• The highest elevation in that entire region (rising 4,000 feet above the Mediterranean Sea)
(b).
• Again from this mountain it was a relatively short distance to Capernaum,
• Where Jesus and the disciples were staying six days earlier.
(c).
• Mark chapter 9 verse 14 tells us:
• “A large crowd and the teachers of the law” surrounded Jesus.
• This mountain was not in the far north, populated mostly by Gentiles,
• But was more in an area where Jewish people and some of their leaders were based.
• You have a choice of three to choose from;
• But no-one knows with any certainty.
(3). The disciples.
• Peter, James & John regularly emerge as an inner group among the twelve,
• Once again if we are honest we do not know why these three were chosen!
We can only guess:
(a). Peter.
• In view of Peter’s great confession in chapter 8 verse 29,
• It is probably no surprise he was chosen to go.
(b). John.
• John had an affinity with Jesus, a real close bond.
• He is referred to as “The disciple whom Jesus loved”.
• Of course Jesus loved all the disciples;
• But John seemed to enjoy a special relationship.
(C). James (John’s brother).
• James was the first of the twelve disciples to be martyred for Christ,
• Perhaps this warranted this special privilege.
Quote: Dr. G. Campbell Morgan:
• Has pointed out that on three occasions Jesus took these disciples aside to go with him,
• All three occasions had to do with death:
• (1). They were with him when He raised Jairus’ daughter.
• Where Jesus was teaching them that He was victor over death,
• (2). They would be with him In the Garden of Gethsemane,
• When he surrendered to death.
• (3). And here at the Transfiguration,
• Jesus taught them that He would be glorified in death.
(b). The voice of prophecy (verse 2-6):
“There he was transfigured before them. 3His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.”
(1). Illumination (vs 2-3).
(a). Physical illumination:
• It was clearly not easy for these men to put their experience into words,
• And the gospel writers describe what happened to Jesus in slightly different ways.
• Matthew says (verse 2):
• “His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as light”.
• Luke says (chapter 9 verse 29):
• “The appearance of his face changed and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning”.
• Mark says (chapter 9 verse 3):
• “His clothes became dazzling white”.
Ill:
• Remember the brightest artificial light they knew was a feeble candle or an oil lamp.
• They knew nothing of powerful spotlights or floodlights.
• The sight before them must have been breath-taking.
• It was both frightening and impressive and they were stunned by it.
(b). Spiritual illumination.
• What the disciples saw was spiritual as well as physical:
• The veil of Jesus’ humanity was briefly drawn back,
• These three men saw Jesus in a way they had not done ever before.
• This was a one-off unique occurrence
• Note: This is the only time while he was on earth,
• That Jesus revealed His glory in this way:
Ill:
• Posh school telling the pupils about the change of a tadpole to a frog.
• One boy put his hand up and said; “You mean metamorphosis”
• “Metamorphosis.” is the Greek word translated into English as ‘transfigured’.
• A metamorphosis is a change on the outside that comes from the inside.
Ill:
• Moses in the Old Testament once went up Mount Sinai (Exodus chapter 24 verse 1);
• He too took with him three men (Aaron, Nadab and Abihu).
• While there the face of Moses started to radiate the glory of God!
• And his three companions were too frightened to go near him!
• But Moses only reflected God’s glory;
• It was something on his outside that affected him;
Note:
• Jesus was “metamorphosed,” or ‘transfigured’.
• It was a change on the outside that comes from the inside.
• The glory of Jesus was not reflected;
• But radiated from within!
• There was a change on the outside that came from within,
• As He allowed His essential glory to shine forth.
(b). Consolidation (vs 2-4):
Question: Why did this experience take place?
Answer: To consolidate, to reinforce, to strengthen both the disciples & Jesus:
(1). Consolidation for the Disciples.
• Twice in verses 2 and 4 we have the words “before them”.
• This event happened to consolidate, to reinforce, to strengthen the disciples
The disciples had to learn the important truth that suffering and glory must go together:
• In chapter 8 verse 32:
• Peter had strongly opposed Jesus’ words regarding death,
• To Peter death was failure, it was defeat, it was unthinkable;
• So Jesus had to teach him & the others that their understanding of HIS death was wrong.
• For him death was not failure but accomplishment;
• It was not defeat but it would be victory (over sin, death & the devil.)
• And apart from His suffering and death on the cross,
• There could be no glory. There could be no future kingdom!
Note: All through this story, from start to finish is ‘glory’:
• e.g. Matthew in his gospel records:
• Jesus “face shone like the sun.”
• e.g. Mark tells us in verse 3: His clothes became “dazzling white.”
• If that doesn’t get the point home he goes on to say;
• “His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them”.
• e.g. in verse 5: we read about ‘a cloud’ ;
• Matthew in his gospel calls it: “A bright cloud”;
Note: Peter certainly learned the lesson:
(a).
• All through his first letter he repeatedly emphasized two themes “suffering and glory”.
• They are two important threads that weave themselves all through his first letter.
(b).
• Also when Peter speaks about his own death:
• In 2 Peter chapter 1 verse 15
• Peter chooses his words wisely; he calls his death a “departure” or “exodus”.
• He at last realised that for the believer, death is not a one-way street into oblivion.
• It is an exodus -a release - from the bondage of this life,
• Into the glorious liberty of the life in heaven.
Ill:
• Haircut.
• Quote John Wesley: “Our people die well!”
(2). Consolidation for Jesus.
“And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.”
The two greatest figures in Israel’s history (Moses & Elijah):
• Appeared with Jesus and spoke with Jesus.
• Question: What did they say?
• Answer: Luke chapter 9 verse 31:
• They spoke about his departure (EXODUS),
• Which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem”.
• They appeared to encourage him to go on with his mission.
• Remember that in them (Moses and Elijah);
• All Israel’s history recognised Jesus as its own consummation.
• Moses was the greatest Law-giver and Elijah was the greatest prophet;
• Yet they recognised and knew Jesus as the one they had dreamed and spoke about!
Note:
• The cross may not have been in plans of the disciples or the Jewish nation,
• But it was central in the plans of God.
• He had spoken concerning it again and again;
• It was predicted constantly throughout the Old Testament.
• The suffering and death of Jesus the Messiah would not be an a mistake or an accident,
• It would be an accomplishment.
(C). Completion (verse 3):
“Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.”
• These three men;
• Moses, Elijah and Jesus represent God’s dealings with mankind:
(a). Moses & Elijah represented the Old testament:
• (a). Moses represented the Law,
• (b). And Elijah the prophets.
• (a).Moses was the greatest of all the law-givers,
• (b). Elijah was the greatest of all the prophets;
• ‘The Law and the prophets’ was a description given to the whole of the Jewish Bible,
• The part we call the Old Testament.
Ill:
• On more than one occasion;
• Jesus said that he had come to fulfil the ‘Law and the Prophets’.
• E.g. On the road to Emmaus he could say to the two men;
“44Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me by Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must all come true.”
(b). Both Moses & Elijah had mountain top experiences:
• The two characters who appear with Jesus in this story,
• Moses and Elijah both had mountain top experiences.
• Ill: Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai.
• Ill: Elijah defeated Baal on Mount Carmel.
(C). Both Moses & Elijah are linked to sacrifices:
• For Moses it was the Passover lamb (Exodus chapter 12).
• For Elijah it was a bull (1 Kings chapter 18)..
(D). Both Moses & Elijah departed earth in unusual ways:
• Moses experienced a death all on his own on Mount Nebo;
• And was buried by God himself in the land of Moab (Deuteronomy chapter 34 verse 5).
• Elijah did not die but was carried up to heaven in a chariot of fire,
• (2 Kings chapter 2 verse 11.)
• Nobody was ever found for Moses and Elijah;
• Both departed earth in unusual ways:
• Both are the last Old Testament men mentioned in our English Old Testaments:
• Malachi chapter 4 verses 4-6 they both get a name check!
(C). The voice of divinity (verse 5-8):
(1). A mistake (verse 5):
4Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
Peter’s words are one of the great understatements of the Bible:
• “It is good for us to be here” - I’ll say it was!
• This was an experience that both himself and John would never forgot:
Ill: John would one day write (John chapter 1 verses 14b):
“We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth”.
Ill: Peter would one day write (2 Peter chapter 1 verses 17-18):
“But we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain”.
Notice:
• In verse 5:
• Peter was enjoying this experience so much that he wanted to prolong it:
• Let’s build some shelters and we can stay here all night.
• His intentions might have been good, but they were also wrong.
Notice: also that Peter was not selfish in his words:
• He suggests they build three shelters, one for each special guest.
• Not four (including one for himself) or even six (a shelter for everybody).
Notice: it was a foolish statement.
• As if Jesus and the two visitors;
• Had no other means of protecting themselves against the cold.
• Peter sees a miraculous event,
• And wants to protect these 3 supernatural people with a few sticks and branches.
Notice:
• God does was Peter could not do;
• God himself provided a supernatural covering for them;
• Verse 7:
• “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them”
(2). A voice - The voice of God (verse 5):
“...a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"”
• The cloud was important,
• Because the Jews often connected this with God’s presence (Exodus chapter 16 verse 10)
Note: The voice of God spoke different things to those present:
(a). For Jesus.
• It was encouraging for Jesus to have Moses and Elijah sharing with him;
• Telling him that what he was doing was right.
• But now he had the voice of God, his Heavenly Father,
• Publicly declaring that what he was planning by going to Jerusalem was the right way.
Ill:
• Arlo & Kathy at school assemblies.
• Only wanted his Father’s approval.
(b). For the disciples:
• The voice from heaven leaves them in no doubt:
• The God who spoke in the past through the Law and the prophets;
• Is now speaking decisively through his son;
• (ill: Hebrews chapter 1 verses 1-2).
• The lesson for the disciples:
• Jesus is not just a successor but was superior to Moses and Elijah.
• He is the fulfilment of both the Law and the prophets.
• The Father will not permit His one and only Son,
• To be put on the same level as Moses and Elijah.
• Quote: “The stars are blotted out when the sun rises,”
• “Jesus only” is God’s pattern. So the supernatural guests disappear!
Quote David Gooding:
“The Lawgiver and the prophet were gone. For all their eminence they were but men. Their role in history had been preparatory to the incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ. Now that he had had come, they retired. The actual redemption of the world would depend on Christ and on Christ alone”
(3). A question (verse 9-13):
9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what "rising from the dead" meant.
11And they asked him, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?"
12Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him."
• In the Old Testament book of Malachi chapter 4 verses 5-6:
• We are told that Elijah would come to be a herald and a forerunner to the Messiah.
• Having seen Elijah on top of the mountain the disciples;
• Are trying to figure out if Elijah will show himself to the whole nation.
• Jesus says to them; “Elijah has come”;
• He refers them to John the Baptist;
• Who came, prepared the way and then experienced a cruel and violent death.
• John the Baptist was not a reincarnation of Elijah;
• But Luke chapter 1 verse 17 tells us he came “in the spirit and power of Elijah”
• The disciples may well have been taken up with Jewish tradition and stories;
• Regarding what will happen when Elijah the prophet returned.
• But Jesus is more taken up with suffering and the cross;
• He points out that if they have mistreated and killed the forerunner;
• Then they will also mistreat and kill the Messiah.
