Seeing Jesus' Transfiguration Is Critical! Series

Seeing Jesus Transfigured is Critical

Mark 9:1-13

- Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant”

-- Key verse: Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

- IMP: What God says to us here is critical application for living for Him

- Encouragement: When we encounter God’s truth, it should cause a change

-- We should feel uncomfortable in some areas of our life

-- Sometimes however, it IS our entire life that needs to change

-- The Gospel is not for the weak at heart, so count it an honor to be included

- Continuing in our study, we see Jesus performing more miracles/healings

-- His approach is direct, but sometimes the “why” is hidden from us

-- Let’s explore these passages and see if we can discover the “why” for ourselves

- Today we turn the page to see something very unique to Mark’s Gospel

-- The glory of God is revealed; as is the Christian’s glory in Him

-- In our service to God is where we SEE His glory revealed

- Read Mark 9:1-13

∆ Point 1 – Purity before God

- v1 is actually the ending of the story in chapter 8 which sets up the next events

-- When Jesus uses the word “some”, we must understand this meaning

-- Some literally means some, and not all (else Jesus would’ve said it)

-- APP: The promise here is that some will die naturally, and some won’t

-- That’s it – no special meaning behind it … it says what it says

- After this happened, Jesus and his inner circle made a side journey

-- God was about to reveal Himself in a powerful way to these men

-- Of interest is the length of 6 days: perhaps a nod to creation’s time?

-- There is no real reason for the wait, except that they went at that time

- While these men watching, something miraculous happens to Jesus

-- His transfiguration is literally a transformation of who he was

- Consider for a moment that they are walking everywhere they go

-- Surely his clothes were dirty and without a dry cleaning would be stained

-- However, before their eyes His clothes become dazzling white

- White is the color of purity which further reflects Jesus’ status before God

-- He is pure, without blemish, and reflecting the greatness of Christ

- When Moses and Elijah appear, they do so for one reason only

-- They represent the Old Testament; the Law of God; the prophecy of Christ

-- Elijah is the great restorer of all things; even though he failed often to stand

- TURN TO 1 Kings 19:5-18

- The call of Elisha, a young man available and positive to the Word and the Lord, and the 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal illustrates the other side of the coin. It showed Elijah that his ministry had not been in vain and that God’s Word does not return void no matter how things may look to us. The nation would not be totally exterminated and there were those who would carry on the work of the Lord.

-- APP: Why is this important? Because God provides for His Word to go forth!

- TRANS: When God calls us to be pure, He also gives us wisdom to see Jesus

∆ Point 2 – We Must Listen to Jesus

- In this situation of transfiguration, Peter decides to speak first (v5-6)

-- Whether it’s out of fear or rebellion, he decides something must be said

-- Some may say that he was celebrating and ready to rejoice

-- Except, for what he says really leads us to think otherwise

- What he suggests is typical of what happens to many of us when God acts

-- APP: Rather than celebrate, we build up walls and shut up the Spirit of God

- But what Peter does is miss who Jesus is and mistakenly group Him together

-- His suggestion that they build three altars suggests that each is equal

-- Each should be worshiped and celebrated and he misses Jesus!

- God then speaks to them and reminds them of that which they already know

-- Mark 1:11, “Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

-- APP: God has to remind them of who it is they are grouping together in worship

- IMP: Jesus is ABOVE all things, and all persons, and worshiped alone!

- God instructs them to LISTEN to HIM; because He is God’s Son with wisdom

-- When we listen, we hear; when we hear, we obey because we’ve understood