Keys of a Courageous Faith:
Listen To Jesus
Mark 9:2-8
Introduction
In the month of February we are affirming that Courageous faith always finds its strength in knowing the presence of Christ, hearing his Word, and following his example. Last week we looked at two miraculous stories as Jesus fed the 5,000 with a few loaves and fishes and then walked on water and stilled a storm. Both of these situations required courage from the disciples. Both of these situations required the disciples to grow in faith. As we see them growing in their faith, let’s join them in the journey of growing a courageous faith!
There are many amazing stories that surround the life of Jesus, but this event is one that teaches us about having a courageous faith by listening to Jesus.
Mark 9:2-8, ESV
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.
The Transfiguration of Jesus is an amazing teaching moment. Platt: “It’s as if a curtain were pulled back so that the disciples could see Christ’s glory in a greater way.” This event comes at an important time - the disciples were
about to face one of the most traumatic events of their lives: they would see Jesus arrested, beaten, crucified.
Mark 8:31-32a And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly.
They needed to have courage to face that situation and that courage would have to come from beyond themselves.
How does this event help us to grow in our faith in Jesus?
1. Courageous Faith Listens to Jesus Above the Crowd
Mark 8:27-29 And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”
We live in a world crowded with opinions about Jesus.
-Islam teaches that Jesus was a prophet, but deny that he was God or the Son of God. Islam denies that Jesus died on the cross, but they do believe he ascended into heaven and will come again.
-Judaism regards Jesus as a respected miracle worker who was crucified but did not raise from the dead.
-Hinduism regards Jesus as a holy man and wise teacher. They believe that he is “a god” among many gods. Many see him as a symbol of what humans can attain, rather than a true historical person.
-Buddhism regards Jesus as an enlightened man and wise teacher, but not divine.
What did God say on the mountain? “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” (MK 9:7)
Here he appears with Moses and Elijah - the representative of the law and the prophets. Two of the greatest men in Israel’s history had some common experiences….
Both met with God on a mountain.
Both were led through very difficult situations as they followed God.
Both of them died mysterious deaths.
Both of them were great leaders of Israel, powerful and faithful.
The presence of Elijah and Moses affirms the eternal existence of God’s saved people. A glimpse of our future!
Above two of the greatest figures in the OT, Jesus reigns. Peter would later write 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.
2. Courageous Faith Follows Jesus Above All
On the mountain Peter blurted out a request to build three tents / places of honor for Moses, Elijah, Jesus. God spoke and said to follow Jesus alone!
Just a few days prior, Jesus had given the disciples an outline of what it meant to follow Him - and how much courage it would take.
Mark 8:34-38 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life[d] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Follow Him beyond our comfort - take up the cross.
Follow Him beyond our control - lose your life for His sake
Follow him beyond our collections - gain the world? (Lane: “When a man has forfeited eternal life, he
experiences absolute loss, even though he may have won the approval of the whole world with his denial of Jesus and the gospel.”)
Follow him unashamed! Romans 1:12 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
When God said to Peter, James and John “This is my beloved Son; listen to him” (MK 9:7), he is also saying that to US! Are we listening to Jesus above the crowd…above all?
Lane: “Jesus stipulated that those who wish to follow him must be prepared to shift the center of gravity in their lives from a concern for self to reckless abandon to the will of God.”
3. Courageous Faith Takes Specific Steps
-Spend time in His word. (Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” We may not be having a faith crisis, we may be having a WORD crisis!
-Contemplate His teachings. (Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”)
- Yield to His Truth. (James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”)
Conclusion
1. Peter, James, and John were privileged to be a part of this amazing demonstration of Christ’s power and strength. In Galatians 2:9 these three men are identified as pillars of the Jerusalem church. At this point in Mark’s Gospel, we are in the shadow of the cross.These moments will become all the more important for them to remember.
2. Mark 9:8 “And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.” This is where we arrive in our faith, ultimately, it is Jesus only that can save us and be the friend we need for eternity. We can find the strength to live the Jesus-Life when we look around and see Jesus only as our Savior and Teacher. Then we can lay down all of the things in life that have kept us from him and face with courage the challenges of the days ahead.
3. The first time in Jesus’ earthly life that we have words from the Father are found in Matthew 3:17 “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” I think that’s a great reminder for us today as well. When we are baptized we are born again into God’s Family. We can be assured that the Father says, “This is my son, my
daughter, whom I love.”. Every day we live out the commitment that we made on that day - all so that we can know that God is pleased and Jesus is our Savior.
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Discussion Questions
1. In your opinion, what is the purpose of the transfiguration in the story of Jesus?
2. Why do you think Jesus chose this moment to reveal his glory to Peter, James and John?
3. In what ways is it hard for people to admit the divinity of Jesus - that he is the Son of God, and Risen Savior?
4. Think about Peter’s response to the transfiguration. Why did he suggest building three shelters?
5. Travis Bookout wrote, “The transfiguration certainly is a glimpse of what the kingdom of God ultimately has in store, and some standing there were able to see it.” In what ways does the transfiguration give us a glimpse of what the kingdom of God has in store?
6. Mark 4:34-38 has some statements of Jesus in regard to being a disciple (student, learner) of Jesus. Which one of those statements catches your attention above the others?
7. Just after our text, on the way down the mountain, Jesus asked the disciples not to do something. What was that request and why do you think Jesus made it?
8. What else did you want to talk about?
Resources
Bookout, Travis J. Cruciform Christ: 52 Reflections on the Gospel of Mark. Cypress, 2022.
Donovan, Richard Niell. Biblical Commentary.
https://sermonwriter.com/biblical-commentary-old/mark-92-9/
Lane, William L. NICNT: The Gospel According to Mark. Eerdman’s , 1974.
Stedman, Ray. The Glory That Follows
https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/mark/the-glory-that-follows
Wallace, J. Warner. What Other Religions Think About Jesus.
https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/what-other-world-religions-think-about-jesus/
