I. INTRODUCTION
A. Text: Lu. 9:28-36 (Mt. 17:1-9; Mk. 9:2-10)
B. Before studying the particulars of the transfiguration, a general survey of three aspects of this crisis is in order.
1. The Occasion It had been about a week since Peter's great confession (Mt. 16:16) and his great blunder (Mt. 16:22).
a. Four things the transfiguration signified:
1) The first thing that the transfiguration meant to Peter, James, and John was a confirmation of all the things that Jesus had told them.
2) Secondly, it confirmed that Jesus was the Messiah and the Savior.
3) Thirdly, it confirmed the necessity of the Cross, even though the disciples had rejected it, just one week earlier.
4) Finally, the transfiguration acted as an endorsement of Peter's confession and Christ's teaching.
b. A close reading of Mt. 16:22 seems to indicate an estrangement between Jesus and the disciples. The transfiguration would heal that wound.
c. Peter blunders again at the transfiguration when he elevates Moses and Elijah to equal status with Christ. Comparing the earlier blunder with this one lets us see that Peter was not yet aware of Christ's true mission.
2. The Witnesses Peter, James and John were the mightiest of the Apostles. Even their blunders can be used to prove their strength.
a. James and John, brothers in the flesh, the "Sons of Thunder."
1) James the first Apostle to be martyred.
2) John the prophet and inspired writer of five New Testament books.
b. Peter, whose preaching on Pentecost and to the household of Cornelius opened the doors of the kingdom once and for all time to every nation.
3. The Purpose The transfiguration took place for the benefit of Peter, James and John.
a. It showed the Apostles just how God the Father regarded God the Son.
b. They already knew He was greater than John the Baptist, etc. (Mt. 16:14)
1) Each these were great men, but they were not the Messiah.
2) God had revealed to Peter (at least) that Jesus was the Christ.
c. God confirmed Jesus as the Christ in four ways:
1) the transfiguration itself,
2) the presence of Moses and Elijah,
3) the words from heaven,
4) and the withdrawal of Moses and Elijah.
d. The glory on this mountain would help to prepare the Apostles for the sorrow of the garden in the valley below.
II. DISCUSSION Now let's turn to the specifics of the transfiguration and examine it from the point of view of each of the participants. While it is impossible to separate the discussion from the interaction between Christ and the ancients, Christ and the Apostles, and the Heavenly Voice and the Apostles it is necessary to give each participant or group of participants some individual attention.
A. Jesus Christ the Master
1. Daniel and the Revelation of John record similar visions to that one pictured in our text. Yet, scripture in general dwells on Christ's moral qualities and character and downplays His personal appearance.
a. As we study Jesus we are not meant to be impressed by His everyday outward appearance. We are meant however to be impressed by His moral glory and excellence.
b. Generally, the full power of Jesus was hidden from man (Hab. 3:4) and the outward splendor of His humanity was veiled from human sight.
c. There were a few occasions such as this one where someone's countenance shone without measure (Mt. 17:2, 28; Mk. 9:2,3; Lu. 9:29; Dan. 7). Note the white and the light. The benefit of light, the purity of snow, and majesty of lightening cannot be ignored as we combine these parallel scripture readings.
d. After seeing the Master on a daily basis as they had followed Him these past three years, imagine the awe-inspiring sight of this transformation as Christ literally "became different." In 2 Pet. 1:6, Peter looked back on this scene and said: "We were eyewitnesses of His majesty."
e. Remember when Moses brought the Law down from the Mount, his face glowed as a reflection of being in contact with God. Stephen glowed with angelic brilliance as he was martyred, a reflection of heaven shone on his face (Acts 6:15). But the glow coming forth from the Lord was not one of reflection or absorption, but His own pure Deity shining through. His glory was of His own face, His own Persona. The transfiguration was not caused by glory falling on Him, but by letting His own glory radiate.
2. What connection did this crisis (turning point) have with His human life and His Divine mission?
a. Many commentators have written that the transfiguration occurred for Jesus' own benefit. Obviously, it would bring Him some satisfaction and strength in His human life. But to think He needed some consecration of His purpose at this point in His career is to misunderstand everything that has happened up to now.
1) As we have already studied, Jesus was consecrated to His appointed work before His birth.
2) The perfection of His humanity, His life on earth thus far, led to this transfiguration. His entire span of thirty odd years had been lived in total perfection. Only the God-man could have achieved this glory. The transfiguration was the outcome of His victory over every temptation.
3) Every action, every thought, every word had been God's. He was as a flower progressing from seedling to blossom. The transfiguration was this blossoming.
4) If Christ had not been on this earth for other purposes, He could have easily passed back to Heaven with Moses and Elijah. The transfiguration was the pinnacle of Christ's life on earth.
b. With regard to His mission, the transfiguration was the prelude to His death. Because He had lived the perfect life, He now was prepared to die the perfect death.
1) Men have died for other men before and since, but none have been the perfect sacrifice for another's sins (Rom. 3:23).
2) The transfiguration ended the first part of Christ's mission and began the trek toward's the second part His death.
c. But what of His companions?
1) The Apostles, dazed and half-asleep. Peter said "Let us stay here," when the true needs of mankind demanded that they leave.
2) Moses and Elijah were there to discuss the Cross. Their presence indicates that Heaven as well as earth awaited the crucifixion. For judgment to be complete the Messiah must put an end to sin's domination.
d. The plea for Christ to complete His mission came from earth and heaven. He must now leave this mountain of glory and begin the walk down to the degradation of the Hill of Calvary.
B. Moses and Elijah The Ancient Visitors. What was God's purpose in allowing these two prominent OT figures to be present at the Transfiguration? We know that in their time, they were powerful instruments of God and that they were faithful until death (Heb.11:13) or in Elijah's case being taken directly. Their presence and their conversation with Christ points to the interest of those who have passed this earth (in the faith) in the work of the Messiah.
1. Contrast and comparison: [Chart 2]
| MOSES | ELIJAH | |
| a. | lawgiver and founder of the Old Covenant to a decadent age | reformer and messenger |
| b. | received the law and gave it to the people | called the people back to the law |
| c. | His first visit to Palestine had previously only seen it from afar | back home to his beloved land |
| d. | died in Moab | never died |
2. The significance of their presence.
a. The religion which they founded and restored was about to be changed.
b. The heart and soul of Judaism is the heart and soul of Christianity.
1) It is a religion of the one true God.
2) It taught that God is in charge and near.
c. Moses and Elijah understood that nothing of the old economy that was about to pass away was important, but that the truly important things would be retained.
d. Moses represented the Law, while Elijah represented the prophets.
e. Moses' presence signified that the Law was fulfilled in Jesus.
f. Elijah's presence confirmed the same fact, acknowledging that Christ was the fulfillment of the Law.
3. The nature of their conversation of the exodus of Christ (Lu. 9:31) The word translated "decease" is better thought of as "departure" and all that pertains to it. Namely, His death, resurrection and ascension.
a. Both Moses and Elijah had led an exodus, but their's pales in comparison to the one being led by Jesus.
b. According to Heb. 12:2, the Messiah is the "Author and Perfecter of faith." The word "Author" could be translated "Point Man."
c. The exodus of Jesus would fulfill the dreams and ambitions of both Moses and Elijah.
4. The significance of their passing.
a. Their disappearance in the cloud of glory signified that their work was finished.
b. When Moses died, his work was left unfinished as Joshua had to lead the people into the Promised Land.
c. When Elijah was translated, idolatry was still rampant and remained so until the remnant returned from captivity.
d. The lesson for us is that our work will be left unfinished, but through Christ our initial efforts can come to fruition. In the end times all of the faithful will gather , along with Moses and Elijah, to receive their crown and the reward of their labors.
5. The message inferred by their presence (Lu. 9:30).
a. These were men, not angels.
b. The disciples were able to recognize them as Moses and Elijah.
c. Their presence suggests that at least some of those departed are privy to the goings on, here on earth.
C. Peter, James, and John the dazed disciples. The principle purpose of the transfiguration can been seen in the statement, "He was transfigured before them." (Mt.17:2) In their visit to the mountain the disciples were allowed to behold the glory of Christ, listen to Him speak to and with the Ancients, and to hear the voice of God.
1. Why Peter, James, and John? There are three occasions recorded in the scripture where these three alone were taken with Christ. In each case they were brought into the presence of death. Peter's blunder of Mt. 16:21-23, indicates that he did not understand death as Jesus did. John and James also demonstrated their misunderstanding of death in the incident of Mk. 10:35-40. In each of these instances Christ showed these disciples a different aspect of His attitude towards death:
a. Visit to the house of Jarius (Mk. 5:37-41) The Master of death.
b. The transfiguration (Mk. 9:2) Superiority to death
c. The garden of Gethsemane willingness to yield to death.
d. Only after Christ ascended and sent the Holy Spirit were the Apostles able to understand and apply these concepts of death to their ministry.
2. Peter's speech another blunder! (Mk. 9:6; Lu. 9:33)
a. According to Luke, the Apostles slept. It was as they awoke that they witnessed the transfiguration. "Lord it is good for us to be here."
b. "I will make three tabernacles." To what purpose? A tabernacle was booth or temporary resting place usually made of tree limbs. It was only eight days before when Peter made his great confession (Mt. 16:13-16), where he put Jesus in His rightful place, above all men. But now he wants to put Moses and Elijah on an equal plane with Jesus.
c. Men today follow in Peter's errant footsteps when they want to equate Buddha, Mohammed, Smith, Koresh, the Watchtower Society or material possessions with Christ.
3. The answer form Heaven The bright cloud overshadows them while Peter is still speaking. Its presence quiets Peter.
a. The voice:
1) identification "My Beloved Son."
2) announcement of Divine satisfaction "in Whom I am well pleased." indicating the Father's satisfaction with the Son's public ministry.
3) injunction "Hear ye Him." (Heb. 1:1,2)
b. A word of rebuke, yet a word of comfort and encouragement.
c. The influence of this night can be seen in in the writings of John and Peter (Jn. 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16-18).
III. CONCLUSION The Things That Remain
A. What happened next? (Mt. 17:7,8)
1. The disciples could never look at Jesus again and not recall the glory of this night.
2. While Moses and Elijah had passed back to where they came from, Christ remained alone.
3. They were charged to tell no man what they had seen (Mt. 17:9), until after the resurrection because:
a. They were unequipped to tell the story correctly.
b. The following days were to be days of sorrow, not ones of triumph.
c. The time to tell the vision was not yet right.
B. The valley below... and beyond.
1. Lu. 9:37-42 the demon possessed son. a father with his only begotten son, amid the defeated disciples and skeptical scribes. Jesus rebukes the demon and condemns the faithlessness of the generation.
2. On to Capernaum: (Mt. 17:24-27) Jesus did not owe this temple tax, but He chose to pay it anyway for himself and Peter. Why?
a. So as not to be misunderstood among men.
b. So that he might participate with His companions in the commonplace happenings of daily life.
C. Final Thoughts
1. Three disciples viewed the transfiguration, eight were not invited, yet all 12 had witnessed Jesus as the Son of the Living God. Jn. 20:29, indicates believers by faith are stronger than believers by sight.
2. While the time of visions has come and gone, the work to be done continues to this day.
a. We must bring the mountain to the masses.
b. Whatever our lot in life, we must be able to say "Lord it is good to be here," (if the Lord is here with us).
c. We are safe if we trust only in Jesus.
[END OF NINTH SERMON]