Kingdom Preview: The Monumental Transfiguration
(Mark 9:1-8)
1. Christianity is not primarily about a philosophy of life, a code of ethics, a religious institution, a series of rituals, or a cultural identification. It is those things, but not primarily. Christianity is centered upon Jesus, not just his teachings, but who he is and what he has done. He is at the center.
2. Peter had confessed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. This is the main rock upon which Christianity is built. Not Jesus the philosopher or teacher or revealer of God, but Jesus the Messiah and Son of God.
3. Mark’s Gospel continues to highlight Person & Power of Jesus in the text before us and we contemplate yet another amazing event in Jesus’ life, the Transfiguration.
Main Idea: The Transfiguration was a deep, amazingly meaningful event that tells us more than we can contain. In it, we catch of glimpse of Jesus unlike any other and weave together an entire tapestry of spiritual truths.
I. The Transfiguration Reminds Us of Jesus’ Jewish ROOTS
A. Moses and Elijah: two of the most REVERED leaders
B. Representing the LAW and the PROPHETS
C. Jesus is the promised Messiah and is fully JEWISH
D. If we divorce Jesus from Judaism, we will not understand him FULLY
E. We all live in a social and spiritual CONTEXT (worldview)
Context is still an issue. Boone/Julie — offerings in Africa. Children live in a different world than their parents did. One task we have is to understand Jesus’ words (or the rest of Scripture) in their original context and apply it to ours.
America’s common Christian context is gone. Today’s younger generations are not joiners; they don’t join churches, clubs, or leagues. So we not only need to communicate God’s Word, we have to train people how to related as a team.
II. The Transfiguration Showed the Father’s APPROVAL
A. Parallels Mt. Sinai and God giving the LAW
1. The Exodus crossing of Red Sea is parallel to Jesus walking on the water and quelling the storm (Mark 6:45-52)
2. The Mount of Transfiguration (Mr. Hermon) is parallel to Mt. Sinai (brightness, voice, witnesses)
3. Moses says in Deuteronomy 18:15, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen.”
B. The approval of the FATHER
1. Predicted in Psalm 2:7, “I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my [dear] Son; today I have begotten you.”
2. The disciples were not present for Jesus’ baptism:
“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” (Mark 1:9-11)
C. Fathers, speak APPROVING words without barbs to your children!
I have long been at war against compliments with hidden barbs, insult humor, teasing people so they don’t know how much of the tease is serious, and people taking it upon themselves to keep others humble. Esp. our sons need words of approval. Some dads only speak up when there is a criticism. Jesus not John Wayne.
It is not cool to be tough, cynical, or sarcastic. cowardice about emotion.
III. The Transfiguration Previewed Jesus’ KINGDOM
A. This event FULFILLS verse 1, the coming of Jesus (1)
B. PETER makes this clear later through his own MIDRASH
2 Peter 1:16-18, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,’ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.”
C. This brief trip into the MILLENNIAL Kingdom previews the 1,000-year reign
Judas had to ID with a kiss); probably Mediterranean features dark hair, brown eyes, perhaps mighty of nose; he will appear throughout eternity as here on this mount.
D. God gives us TASTES of future glory to whet our appetites!
Jesus will reign as King; he came first time as the lamb, second time as the lion.
IV. The Transfiguration Highlights Jesus’ DEITY
A. Jesus is the divine SON
B. His face shone with his GLORY
Daniel 7:9, “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire…”
Isaiah’s experience of seeing Yahweh (the LORD) in Isaiah 6 was a vision of God the Son before he became Jesus. John 12:41-42, “Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue…”
John 17:3-5, “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
C. Application: We will be GLORIFIED as Jesus’ followers (cf. Romans 8:30)
V. The Transfiguration Reaffirms that Jesus’ Death for Our Sins Was PRE-PLANNED
A. What were Moses, Elijah, and Jesus CONFERRING about?
B. Luke 9:31 tells us the subject was Jesus’ DEPARTURE
Luke 9:30-31, “And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”
C. If you know Jesus, God thought about YOU before he created the world!
D. Have I received God’s GIFT of eternal life through Jesus?
