WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:00.560 Amen. 00:00:00.719 --> 00:00:03.040 Thank you for that beautiful singing this morning. 00:00:03.279 --> 00:00:15.599 As you're being seated and settling into your comfortable little pew there, if you would take out your copy of God's word and join me back in the Gospel of Mark this morning, we find ourselves in Mark chapter 9 today. 00:00:15.759 --> 00:00:22.239 If you don't want on your phone, or if you don't have a Bible itself, uh we'd love for you to use the one that is in the pew back in front of you. 00:00:22.399 --> 00:00:23.920 If you don't own a Bible, take that one. 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:25.280 It is our gift to you. 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:32.399 Mark chapter 9, we're going to be on page 905 in that pew Bible this morning. 00:00:33.280 --> 00:00:52.799 One of Jesus' closest disciples, a young man by the name of John, who was called the beloved disciple, wrote a gospel, and in his gospel he starts it this way: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 00:00:53.359 --> 00:00:55.200 He's describing Jesus Christ. 00:00:55.280 --> 00:01:03.280 And then when you get down to verse 14, it says, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. 00:01:04.400 --> 00:01:12.640 As John wrote those words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he was introducing us to something known as the incarnation. 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:24.319 Jesus Christ being both divine and human, meaning in the flesh. 00:01:24.719 --> 00:01:33.519 It means that God left heaven in the form of Jesus and he came to earth and he took on flesh. 00:01:34.799 --> 00:01:44.640 Colossians chapter two, verse nine says that the fullness of God, the fullness of deity dwelt in his body. 00:01:44.959 --> 00:01:56.560 Hebrews chapter one says he is the radiance of God's glory, the exact representation of the characteristics of Christ. 00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:02.560 Jesus is both God and he is man. 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:07.439 He is both divine and he is human. 00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:12.080 He has always been and he always will be. 00:02:12.719 --> 00:02:16.400 He has always been God, but he became man. 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:19.360 He took on flesh. 00:02:19.919 --> 00:02:23.280 The Bible teaches that Jesus was both human and divine. 00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:29.039 It teaches us over and over again about his human characteristics, who needed parents to help raise him. 00:02:29.280 --> 00:02:34.319 It tells us that he grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. 00:02:34.560 --> 00:02:36.400 It tells us that Jesus grew weary. 00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:38.479 It tells us that he grew tired. 00:02:38.639 --> 00:02:42.479 It tells us that he grew hungry and thirsty. 00:02:42.719 --> 00:02:46.960 It tells us that he had emotions, that he was sorrowful and he wept. 00:02:47.280 --> 00:02:53.199 It tells us that he was beaten and he bled and he died. 00:02:53.919 --> 00:02:57.199 The Bible is clear that Jesus was human. 00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:01.919 He took on flesh, but the Bible is also clear that Jesus is God. 00:03:02.639 --> 00:03:05.120 He did things that only God could do. 00:03:05.599 --> 00:03:11.919 He caused the lame to walk, he caused the blind to see, he caused the deaf to hear. 00:03:12.159 --> 00:03:13.759 He cast out demons. 00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:16.560 He healed diseases. 00:03:16.879 --> 00:03:21.039 He calmed storms with the word of his voice. 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:24.000 He raised people back to life who had been dead. 00:03:24.080 --> 00:03:30.000 In fact, three days after his own crucifixion, Jesus Christ Himself came back to life. 00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:33.439 Jesus is both God and man. 00:03:34.159 --> 00:03:38.560 He is God veiled in flesh. 00:03:38.960 --> 00:03:42.479 This is the doctrine of the incarnation. 00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:44.479 And it is vitally important. 00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:50.000 It is not an unimportant doctrine to believe that Jesus is both God and man. 00:03:50.240 --> 00:03:52.719 You see, well, I think it's important that we believe that he's a man. 00:03:52.800 --> 00:03:54.960 And some say, oh, I believe it's important we believe he's God. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:04:01.439 No, it's important that you completely understand and comprehend and believe that he is both God and man. 00:04:01.759 --> 00:04:05.599 He had to be in order to fulfill his mission. 00:04:06.319 --> 00:04:17.600 He had to be man in order to take the punishment for man's sin, to drink the wrath of God's cup against man's sin. 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:26.560 But he had to be God to be the perfect once-for-all sacrifice to take our sin away. 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:31.920 We come to Mark chapter 9 this morning. 00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:35.759 We come to a transition in Mark's gospel. 00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:44.399 Everything in the pre-ing up to this section, and from this point on, we are headed directly to the cross of Jesus Christ. 00:04:45.839 --> 00:04:50.000 He transitions here in chapter 9. 00:04:50.319 --> 00:04:58.240 From leading up to this great confession that we saw a couple weeks ago when Jesus asked his disciples, Who do people say that I am? 00:04:58.639 --> 00:05:03.439 And they gave various opinions, and Jesus said, Fine, who do you say that I am? 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:08.560 And it was Simon Peter who said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:11.839 He said, After two years, Jesus, I finally figured it out. 00:05:12.079 --> 00:05:13.600 You are the Son of God. 00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:15.360 You are the Messiah. 00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:21.839 And Jesus said, Blessed are you, Simon, for flesh and blood hasn't revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:26.879 And upon this rock I will build my church. 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:28.800 There was that great confession. 00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:32.560 You are God in the flesh. 00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:34.079 You are the Christ. 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:54.240 But you will remember that there was also confusion because Jesus immediately after that great confession began to describe what was going to take place, rejected by his own people, that he would suffer many things, that he would be killed, and then he would be resurrected. 00:05:54.480 --> 00:05:58.319 And Peter said, No, Lord, God forbid that should ever happen. 00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:00.480 I won't let that happen. 00:06:00.959 --> 00:06:07.519 And Jesus said, Get behind me, Satan, for you don't have in mind the things of God, but only the things of man. 00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:10.240 Peter understood that Jesus was the Messiah. 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:14.639 He just didn't understand all the ramifications of what that meant. 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:18.319 He didn't understand the type of Messiah that he was. 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:24.720 Peter expected him to overthrow governments, and Jesus didn't come to overthrow governments, Jesus came to overthrow Satan. 00:06:27.519 --> 00:06:30.240 Jesus then began to tell his disciples. 00:06:36.399 --> 00:06:42.079 You must deny yourself, and you must pick up your cross and follow me. 00:06:42.879 --> 00:06:48.800 If you want to be my follower, you have to stop trying to earn your own salvation. 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:53.680 You have to stop and you have to die to self and live for me. 00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:59.439 The disciples had to be confused over this. 00:07:00.399 --> 00:07:05.759 The disciples had to be confused over a Messiah who would go to a cross. 00:07:06.079 --> 00:07:17.360 They had to be confused over a God who took on flesh, who would lay down his life, and then call on his own disciples to do the same. 00:07:19.279 --> 00:07:23.519 Regardless of what anyone might tell you, being a Christ follower is not easy. 00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:29.839 Being a genuine follower of Christ is not all Skittles and rainbows. 00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:32.160 It's hard. 00:07:32.720 --> 00:07:35.199 It's difficult to deny ourselves. 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:38.319 It's difficult to pick up our cross and follow him. 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:42.399 It's difficult to live for the kingdom of God and not the things of this world. 00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:44.560 It is hard. 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:53.680 It's hard not to back up when people say things about us for being Christians. 00:07:54.480 --> 00:08:01.600 It's up for truth and for what is right when the world around us tries to conform us into their image. 00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:11.519 But Jesus has told us don't be conformed by the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:19.279 Jesus knew that what he was asking his disciples and what they were about to experience was going to be more than they could handle. 00:08:19.839 --> 00:08:32.159 And he was about to give them an experience that would steady their souls, that would strengthen their hands, and that would give them confidence moving forward. 00:08:33.679 --> 00:08:39.279 We come to Mark chapter 9, and in it we come to a familiar passage called the Transfiguration. 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:44.080 A unique story in the life of Jesus. 00:08:45.679 --> 00:08:49.039 Jesus is about to say something very controversial. 00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:56.720 In fact, very confusing for those of us looking back at it, trying to figure out exactly what he was saying. 00:08:58.320 --> 00:09:02.080 If you're willing and able, would you stand with me in his word this morning? 00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:09.840 As we consider this unique story in Jesus' life. 00:09:10.720 --> 00:09:26.000 Mark chapter 9, beginning in verse 1, and Jesus was saying to the disciples, Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come in power. 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:42.480 Six days later Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves, and he was transfigured before them, and his garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:47.440 Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:52.159 Peter said to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. 00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:58.879 Let us make three tabernacles, three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. 00:09:59.200 --> 00:10:03.519 For he did not know what to answer, for they became terrified. 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:06.879 Then a cloud formed, overshadowed him out of the cloud. 00:10:07.039 --> 00:10:08.320 This is my beloved son. 00:10:08.559 --> 00:10:09.840 Listen to him. 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:16.480 All at once they looked around and saw no one with them any more, except Jesus alone. 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:25.519 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man rose from the dead. 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:31.039 They seized upon that statement, discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant. 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:36.320 They asked him, saying, Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first? 00:10:36.559 --> 00:10:41.360 And he said to them, Elijah does first come and restore all things. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:47.919 And yet, how is it written that the Son of Man, that he will suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:51.120 But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come. 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:56.960 And they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written of him. 00:10:58.159 --> 00:11:04.960 Father, we pray that you would bless the reading of your word, that you would open our hearts and our minds to understand the truth of it. 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:11.279 Father, this unique story of Jesus revealing his glory, Lord, help us to understand why it's here. 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:15.519 It's been protected and what the message is for us today. 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:18.960 Lord, transform us into your image, we pray, through your word. 00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:20.159 In Jesus' name. 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:21.120 Amen. 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:22.559 Thank you. 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:29.840 Verse 1 of chapter 9 is a transitional verse. 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:34.799 Jesus is moving the conversation towards the cross. 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:40.399 Mark, as he's writing his gospel, is led up to this great confession, and now he's leading us to the cross. 00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:44.879 And he says, Jesus said these things to his disciples. 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:55.919 He said, There are some of those who are standing here who will not see death until after the kingdom of God has come with power. 00:11:56.480 --> 00:12:01.120 This is one of the most controversial texts in the New Testament. 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:05.440 People have tried to figure out what in the world is Jesus referring to here. 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:14.639 Some people say this is a problem in the text, but others have pointed and said, well, clearly Jesus is talking about the resurrection. 00:12:15.279 --> 00:12:20.639 That not all the disciples would pose from the grave and we see the power of God and the glory of God in the resurrection. 00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:23.039 Certainly that could be true. 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:30.320 Others point to the Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit fell out of heaven and empowered the church in Acts. 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:38.720 Others point to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in AD 70 and say that is what the power was all about. 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:42.720 I don't know that it refers to the resurrection. 00:12:42.799 --> 00:12:44.879 I don't know that it refers to Pentecost. 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:49.279 I don't know that it refers to the destruction of the temple in AD 70. 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:54.240 I think the context tells us that it refers to what immediately happens right afterwards. 00:12:55.039 --> 00:13:04.399 I think it points to the time when Jesus took three disciples up on a mountain and did something he never did at any other point in his ministry. 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:07.039 At any other point in his human life. 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:14.720 He peeled back the curtain and let them glimpse at his eternal glory. 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:21.919 I think that is what Jesus is referring to in verse one, which now Mark describes for us. 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:29.039 Some people are better than others at using the human language to describe things. 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:38.799 But there are still times, even with those that are most gifted with the English language, where words fail to describe what we can see with our eyes. 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:46.960 If you've ever tried to describe the brilliance or the vibrance of a sunset, you know that words are almost fruitless to do so. 00:13:48.159 --> 00:14:00.960 Trying to describe the beauty of your bride as the doors open at the back of the sanctuary and she makes her way down the aisle to you on your wedding day, words fail to describe the beauty there. 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:09.919 Trying to use words to illustrate what a newborn baby looks like and brings joy. 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:18.240 There are just some circumstances where words just fail us when we try to describe the beauty that we see. 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:24.000 Now imagine trying to use words to describe the glory of God. 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:32.559 Imagine, even under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, describe, I saw God in his glory, and this is what it looks like. 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:35.679 This is what we face with Mark. 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:40.799 In fact, we find it also in Matthew chapter 17 and in Luke chapter 9. 00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:49.519 This same story, all three gospel writers trying to help us to understand that Jesus is revealing his glory. 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:54.960 It is a unique story in the life of Jesus. 00:14:55.279 --> 00:15:01.279 Nothing like it happens at any other point that we have recorded in Scripture. 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:18.000 This is the one and only time that Jesus allows people to see him for who he truly is, peeling back the flesh, radiating the glory of God so that they might know who he is. 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:24.559 Apart from the resurrection, this may be the greatest miracle that Jesus performs. 00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:30.879 Simply letting people see who he is. 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:34.799 Mark describes transformation. 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:42.559 He then describes a visitation, a hesitation, and an explanation. 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:44.720 That's where we're headed, okay? 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:47.120 He describes a transformation. 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:54.639 He describes for us a visitation, a hesitation, and an explanation. 00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:58.159 I promise it won't take long to get through all of those. 00:15:58.480 --> 00:16:01.039 I scared you, you outline takers. 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:04.080 First we see a transformation. 00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:11.519 Mark tells us that he took with him six days later three disciples. 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:15.200 Six days later, Luke records it's eight days later. 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:25.360 What they're trying to say is about a week after the events that just happened in chapter 8, when they are in Caesarea Philippi, and Simon Peter says, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:27.919 And Jesus said, You got it right, but I'm going to the cross. 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:32.240 And if you want to follow me, you have to pick up your cross and follow me. 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:40.000 About a week after that, Jesus takes three of his disciples, Simon Peter, James, and John's disciples. 00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:44.159 These are the leaders amongst the other nine disciples. 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:47.759 And Jesus takes them up on a high mountain. 00:16:48.000 --> 00:17:00.879 Now, neither of the none of the gospel writers record for us which mountain it is, but if they are in Caesarea Philippi, the only logical mountain would be Mount Hermon, which towered over this region and was often snow capped. 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:04.160 He takes these three. 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:08.240 He often would go to mountains. 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:11.759 Luke records for us that he went there to pray. 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:19.680 Jesus would often take Simon Peter, James, and John with him, pull away from the crowds, go into a mountain and pray. 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:23.359 He went to the Garden of Gethsemane the night before he was crucified. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:25.759 He took all of his disciples, but he took three in further. 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:27.680 You remember which three he took in further? 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:30.240 Simon, Peter, James, and John. 00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:37.359 He wanted these three to experience something that the others would not experience. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:44.400 While they are praying, Mark, in his economy of words, says Jesus was transformed before them. 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:45.839 Describe it for you. 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:49.759 I have no words to describe the brilliance for it, so I'm just going to tell you what happened. 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:52.880 He was transformed before them. 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:54.079 Mark, I need more. 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:55.599 Mark, tell me, what does that look like? 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:56.720 Mark, what in the world? 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:58.559 What was that like? 00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:03.039 He is transformed before them. 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:05.039 The word we are familiar with. 00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:22.000 If you were here last Sunday, we looked at Romans chapter 12, verse 1 and verse 2, where Jesus tells us not to be conformed to the world, not to be pressured and molded from the outside, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:24.960 And I told you last week that word is metamorphosis. 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:30.240 It means a change from the inside out. 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:40.559 And what happens here is Jesus is just letting them see on the outside what he was on the inside. 00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:45.279 The gospel writers record for us that several things happen. 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:49.920 First of all, Mark tells us that his clothes began to dazzle and brilliant. 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:58.880 He says it was so white, the clothes became so white that there's not a launderer on earth, there's not a dry cleaner on earth who can make your whites look so white. 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:07.680 I don't know what laundry detergent is proud of making things white, but they could not make this that white. 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:14.799 The point is, this was not earthly, this was heavenly. 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:21.440 And then it tells us that his face began to shine. 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:27.759 Matthew and Luke both record that his face began to shine with brilliance. 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:51.920 In the incarnation, something changed. 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:04.160 In the incarnation, a change took place. 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:09.279 Jesus took on flesh, but in the transformation, nothing changed. 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:13.920 Jesus just simply revealed what he always was. 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:17.359 He revealed his divinity. 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:20.799 He revealed his true nature. 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:25.039 And he allowed the disciples to get a glimpse. 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:34.079 In the Old Testament, Jesus, or God is often, when he reveals himself, it is in a fire or in a bright light. 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:39.359 He also reveals himself in a cloud at times. 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:42.319 And his face began to shine. 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:48.319 Can you think of a time in the Old Testament when somebody else's face was shining, such that they had to wear a veil? 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:50.079 Can anybody remember a time? 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:52.240 Who was that that happened to? 00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:53.279 Moses. 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:56.079 And what had Moses just been doing? 00:20:56.319 --> 00:21:05.039 He had been up on Mount Sinai with God, receiving the Ten Commandments in the presence of God, and his face was shining. 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:10.319 The only difference here is Moses' face was reflecting the light that he saw. 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:13.680 Jesus' face is the source of the light. 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.839 But he is shining. 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:18.960 Jesus is letting them see who he is. 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:31.119 He's giving them a glimpse, a glimpse backwards to see his eternal deity, his eternal glory, that he has always been God. 00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:33.519 He's just taken on flesh and veiled it. 00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:42.160 And he's giving them a glimpse into the future of what it will one day look like when all things are set right and when he returns in his glory. 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:46.160 It is a preview of things to come. 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:48.160 But why? 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.759 What's the point? 00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:55.200 Why does Jesus do this? 00:21:56.000 --> 00:22:02.720 Why does he take these three men up on the mountain and peel back the The curtain and let them see his glory. 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:05.039 What's the purpose in this? 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:11.359 Jesus know he will be heading towards Jerusalem. 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:14.319 He will be rejected. 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:16.160 He will be arrested. 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.920 He will be beaten. 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:20.319 He will be crucified. 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:28.559 He will take the wrath of God upon his sinless soldiers' shoulders so that you and I might be made right with God and he will be resurrected. 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:32.640 He knows exactly where he's headed when they come down off of Mount Hermon. 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:37.039 And he knows what he's about to ask his disciples to do. 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:42.000 He knows that suffering is going to come before glory. 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:51.279 And he knows what he's asking his disciples to do and following him to the cross and then telling others about his resurrection when he rises again. 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:58.880 And he knows that they need their faith strengthened. 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:01.039 They need certainty. 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:03.839 And so he peels back. 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:09.359 It's just been a week since he jolted them with the truth that the cross is coming. 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:12.400 They are still reeling, trying to figure out. 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:15.759 And imagine the conversations taking place amongst the disciples. 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:17.440 What does he mean? 00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:22.880 I can imagine for a week the conversations that Jesus was having with them. 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:26.079 And so there's a transformation that takes place. 00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:32.000 Jesus reveals his glory, but there's also a visitation in verse 4. 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:40.400 It says, while Jesus is praying and he's transformed, that they looked, and there were two Old Testament figures there. 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:45.200 There were two men from the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah. 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:47.920 Two Old Testament heroes. 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:51.039 Moses, who was the lawgiver. 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:54.319 Moses who went up on Mount Sinai and received the law. 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:58.640 Moses who had delivered the nation of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. 00:23:58.799 --> 00:24:01.359 Moses is standing before them. 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:12.319 Elijah, the first great prophet, the prophet who went up on Mount Carmel and fought against the prophets of Baal and Asher and all the false gods. 00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:14.480 There he was. 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:21.359 These two men, these two heroes, the law, Elijah representing the prophets. 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:25.920 Moses, who, by the way, when he died, God let no one know where he was buried. 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:27.440 God alone buried him. 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:29.039 And Elijah never died. 00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:35.599 He was taken up into heaven on a fiery chariot in a whirlwind. 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:44.720 And these two men are standing there, having a conversation with Jesus. 00:24:57.680 --> 00:25:00.559 This is a conversation I would like to hear. 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:07.119 This is a conversation when Moses and Elijah show up and talk to Jesus. 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.799 I want to hear that conversation. 00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:13.759 Matthew, Mark don't tell us anything about the conversation, but Luke does. 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:24.720 Luke chapter 9, verse 31 tells us that they were talking to Jesus about his departure from Jerusalem. 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:29.599 The word departure there, anybody want to take a wild guess what that word is? 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:31.759 Exodus. 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:37.759 They were talking to him about his exodus. 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:41.759 They were talking to him about the cross. 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:50.880 They were talking to him about his mission and how when he got to Jerusalem, he would deliver the people who were in bondage to sin. 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:56.000 Can you imagine Moses, who is the forerunner? 00:25:56.160 --> 00:26:06.480 Moses, who is the type, Moses, who is the one who points us to the true deliverer, is standing there talking to the true deliverer about an Exodus. 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:16.160 I think from a human standpoint, these men were there to embolden Jesus on his mission. 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:22.000 To talk to him about what he had come to do. 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:26.640 That before glory came, the cross would come. 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:33.920 Can you imagine Peter or James or John seeing the glory of God revealed? 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.799 And that's not enough. 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:42.960 Not only that, but there are Moses and Elijah talking to Jesus about how he's going to deliver people from their sin. 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:48.640 But then there's a hesitation we see in verses five and six. 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:51.680 How do you respond to this? 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:58.000 All three gospel writers tell us that the men on that mountain were dumbfounded. 00:26:58.720 --> 00:27:02.000 They could not speak, they could not act. 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:04.480 They did not know what to say. 00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:07.279 They didn't know how to handle the situation. 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:10.319 They struggled for words. 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:16.640 But somehow our good friend Simon Peter came up with a way to get something out. 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:24.559 And if you know anything about Simon Peter, he often let his mouth move before engaging his brain. 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:28.400 And he does it once again here. 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:35.440 He somehow comes up with this, and you just want to say, no, stop. 00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:36.720 Just be quiet. 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:38.079 Just soak it in, brother. 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:39.519 Just be quiet. 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:41.680 But he doesn't. 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:46.880 He says, hey, Rabbi, master, it is good that we are here. 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.640 It is so good. 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:50.640 Hey, why don't we build three tents? 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:54.079 One for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah. 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:57.759 And let's just hang out right here on the mountain for a little while. 00:27:58.319 --> 00:28:01.839 It is good that we are here. 00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:05.920 Hey, Jesus, this is more like it. 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:09.359 This is more of what I'm talking about. 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:16.079 When you said you were the Messiah and you asked me to come follow you, this is the kind of cool stuff I was looking forward to. 00:28:16.400 --> 00:28:19.680 The glory of God, Old Testament guys coming back. 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:21.920 Power, this is cool. 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:27.039 Hey, by the way, this is what you need to be blasting out on social media. 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:29.920 Stop with the cross stuff. 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:32.240 Stop with the suffering stuff. 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.920 Nobody wants to hear that. 00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:35.839 Nobody wants to follow that. 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.680 This is good. 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.160 This is the good. 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:42.079 In fact, it's so good. 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:48.400 Hey, this is the month of the Feast of Tabernacles. 00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:55.359 This is the month when that nation would celebrate the Feast of Booze or Tabernacles. 00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:59.279 Some of our ladies are going through a study called the Seven Feasts of the Old Testament. 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:05.440 And I think one of your studies, I'm confident one of your studies, will be the Feasts, the Feast of Tabernacles. 00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:14.480 It recognized this: that there was a time in the nation of Israel's history when God delivered them out of bondage and slavery and took them through a wilderness. 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:17.599 And while they were in the wilderness, God provided everything they needed. 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:27.920 And every year the nation of Israel commemorated that God delivers us and provides for us by leaving their homes and living in tents and lean twos for eight days. 00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:30.880 He says, Man, let's just hang out right here. 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:33.440 In fact, we'll build tents for everybody. 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:35.440 It'll be great. 00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:37.519 Forget about the people at the bottom of the mountain. 00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:38.640 The other nine, they're fine. 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:40.400 They'll figure it out, Jesus. 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.799 We're good right here. 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:53.519 I think this was probably a sincere offer, but a foolish offer from Simon Peter's standpoint. 00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:59.759 Because once again, he understood that Jesus was the Messiah, but he was failing to understand his mission. 00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:04.480 He did not understand that Jesus didn't come for the Mount of Transfiguration. 00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:06.799 Jesus didn't come for the Mount Sinai. 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:08.079 He didn't come for Mount Carmel. 00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:12.000 Jesus came for a mountain outside the city of Jerusalem called Calvary. 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:15.680 And Jesus had to go there. 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:22.799 In his own way, Simon Peter accidentally put Jesus on par with Moses and Elijah. 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:26.480 He lowered him, he demoted him. 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:30.079 And Jesus is so unique. 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:31.440 Jesus isn't like anybody. 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:36.480 Even the two greatest men in the Old Testament fail in comparison to Jesus. 00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:47.680 Acts chapter 4, verse 12 says, There is salvation and no other name, for there is no other name given among men by which we must be saved. 00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.920 Hey Jesus, this is awesome. 00:31:00.000 --> 00:31:00.640 This is the good stuff. 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.440 Let's stay right here. 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.400 We'll build three tents. 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:04.480 Jesus does not respond. 00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:07.839 He doesn't respond because he didn't have to. 00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:10.880 Because somebody else responded for him. 00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:16.799 As he's saying those words, a cloud begins to move in. 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:23.359 A massive cloud that overwhelms them, encompasses them. 00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:31.599 And from that cloud, a voice thunders out, this is my son, in whom I'm well pleased. 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:33.839 Listen to him. 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:44.319 Three times in the New Testament, the Bible records God speaking audibly. 00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:50.400 All three times is to say, This is my son, in whom I'm well pleased. 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:53.039 Listen to him. 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:55.519 Hey, Simon Peter. 00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.920 Be quiet. 00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:01.279 I know you have plans. 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:05.440 He's just revealed to you he is God in the flesh. 00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:08.880 You might want to pay attention to what he has to say. 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:14.240 You might want to listen to him. 00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:21.920 When God appears in the Old Testament, He appears as fire or he appears as light, burning bush. 00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:26.240 Moses' face shining. 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:28.559 He appears as a cloud sometimes. 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:33.279 A cloud that engulfed the tabernacle as God's presence came into that tabernacle. 00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:37.200 A cloud that engulfed the temple as God's presence came into the temple. 00:32:37.440 --> 00:32:42.720 A cloud, a pillar of cloud by day to guide the people, and a pillar of fire by night. 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:46.319 God moves in on the scene. 00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:57.200 And if it wasn't enough, if they weren't fearful enough, the gospel writers record that at this point they fell on their faces in terror. 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:07.200 It's not enough that Jesus reveals that Moses and Elijah are standing there talking to Jesus about the sacrifice he'll make. 00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:11.359 Now the very voice of God is talking to them. 00:33:14.880 --> 00:33:17.119 And that leads us to our question. 00:33:20.400 --> 00:33:27.279 Because as that cloud lifts and they lift their faces from the ground, what do they see? 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:36.480 Moses is gone, Elijah is gone, the cloud is gone, the radiance of God's glory is gone. 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:41.920 The only thing standing, they only saw Jesus. 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:48.240 Nothing else was there except Jesus alone. 00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:51.440 What a wonderful phrase. 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:53.920 What a wonderful sentiment. 00:33:55.119 --> 00:33:57.839 Except Jesus alone. 00:33:58.799 --> 00:34:00.400 He is all we need. 00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:03.200 He is the fulfillment of the law. 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:06.160 He is the fulfillment of the prophets. 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:08.000 He has completed all. 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:11.280 He is everything that we need. 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:15.840 And so when he speaks, we should listen. 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:18.960 When he talks, we should pay attention. 00:34:19.280 --> 00:34:23.119 When Jesus said, I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly, we should listen. 00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:27.199 When Jesus said, No man comes unto the Father but by me, we should listen. 00:34:27.360 --> 00:34:35.039 When Jesus says, Come unto me, all ye who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest, we should listen. 00:34:37.119 --> 00:34:39.360 As they came down the mountain, two things happened. 00:34:39.519 --> 00:34:41.920 Jesus, number one, told him, Don't tell anybody. 00:34:42.159 --> 00:34:43.360 And they obeyed him. 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:44.480 Can you imagine? 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:46.719 Have you ever been asked to keep a secret? 00:34:48.159 --> 00:34:52.719 I've been asked to keep the secret of the name of my grandson who's going to be born. 00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:54.000