Christ Rules From His Transfiguration To Ours!

Christ Rules! Gospel of Mark Series (Part 18)

A Sermon By Jim Hammond from Mark 9:1-13

OUTLINE

Focus:  Jesus popped the bubble of the disciples’ glorious vision, but he replaced it with a better one.  The mountaintop transfiguration of Jesus is a revelation that helps us in the cross bearing valley below to anticipate and experience the glory of our own transfiguration.

I.          From The C________ of G_________ to the C________ of G_________

A.  Humility and Glory Are Not Opposites

B.  Mountain Top Reassurances Help In the Valley

II.         From His Transfiguration To Ours

A.  The Practical Significance of the Transfiguration

1.  It does something for ____________

2.  It does something for ____________

3.  It does something for ____________

B.  Levels of Christ-likeness

1.  The M____________ Level

2.  The M____________ Level

3.  The M____________ Level

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MANUSCRIPT

CHANGE, it’s not easy to come by is it?  A woman testified to the transformation in her life that had resulted through her experience in conversion. She declared, "I'm so glad I got religion. I have an uncle I used to hate so much I vowed I'd never go to his funeral. But now, why, I'd be happy to go to it any time." [i]

            Change, even change for the better, can be difficult to accept.  Some in the deaf community are slow to accept the introduction of cochlear implants--a devise that helps many deaf children hear.  This devise, according to Jack Wheeler, the CEO of the Deafness research foundation, “could conquer newborn deafness in America.”

            At first glance, this news is great news, but not to some of the leaders in the deaf community who call the use of the implant  “cultural genocide” and even “child abuse.”  Why is their response so harsh?  Curing newborn deafness threatens the deaf culture--a mixture of history, art, and language.  Some in the deaf community believe deafness is a gift, not a problem.             There will always be resistance to change--even change that is for the better.  Change agents must have the courage to withstand criticism to pursue their dreams.[ii]

There are two things that are very difficult to change:  1) what we believe and 2) How we behave.

Interestingly enough, these two are related.  Often we cannot change how we behave until we modify what we believe about that behavior.  What we believe dramatically affects how we behave.  In fact I believe this so strongly that let me say this.  The behavior that we believe makes us happy is how we truly behave.

Jim Rohn said, "We generally change ourselves for one of two reasons: inspiration or desperation."

There is a science experiment that illustrates how the power of belief affects our behavior. 

Scientists have predicted children’s success in later life with an interesting experiment conducted when they are four years old.  A researcher invites a child into a room and gives the child a marshmallow.  The researcher tells the child that he can eat it immediately, but the researcher must leave for a moment to run an errand.  [the child is told that] If the child waits to eat the marshmallow until the researcher comes back, the child can have two marshmallows. Some children gobble the marshmallow immediately; others hold out for a few minutes.  Some wait until the researcher returns in order to get that second marshmallow.  They do everything they can to stave off temptation while the researcher is out of the room.  The children who resist eating the marshmallow grow up to be better adjusted, more popular, more adventurous, more confident, and more dependable.  Those who give in are more likely to be lonely, to buckle under stress, and to shy away from challenges.  (Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence New York: Bantam, 1995 p. 80-83)  Christians need to learn this deferred gratification so that they can live well in every condition, buoyant in the midst of trouble, confident, resilient, and willing to take on challenges.[iii]

Change is painful.  People want to skip the painful part of change.  People want to skip Suffering 101 and go directly to Advanced Placement (AP) Glory 909.  In the Gospel of Mark we just learned from Jesus that his disciples must deny themselves, then pick up a cross to follow Jesus.  Peter and the others didn’t see this as necessary.  This kind of suffering wasn’t in their plans.  How does one change?  I believe the passage we are going to study today gives us important insights into the hope for transformation.   In the passage we will study when Jesus transformed from humility to glory right before the very eyes of three of his followers.  This transformation is often called the transfiguration because of the dramatic way in which it changed his appearance.  Today we are going to look at how . . .

Focus:  Jesus popped the bubble of the disciples’ glorious vision, but he replaced it with a better one.  The mountaintop transfiguration of Jesus is a revelation that helps us in the cross bearing valley below to anticipate and experience the glory of our own transfiguration.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) ¹⁸And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed [same word as Mark 9:2 “transfigured”] into his likeness with ever-increasing glory. . .

Paul wrote this.  Did he experience his dramatic change through inspiration or through desperation?   It was inspiration.  He had an experience much like the one we will study today.  He thought he was right, and Christians were wrong.  Seeing the glorified Christ on the Damascus road, and being knocked off his horse (or donkey, or feet!) made him rethink his whole belief system and behavior.  The point is, we need an accurate view of Christ and then we will experience transformation.

I.                   From The Cloud of Gloom to the Cloud of Glory

The Cloud of Gloom

Jesus Popped the disciples bubble when he began to replace their inadequate vision with the truth. 

^8:31He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. . . . 

They had no way of processing this new information and reacted strongly.  The cloud of gloom grew even darker and more confusing after Jesus confronted Peter with the harsh words.  “Satan get behind me…”  The problem was that Peter and the others had no place in their vision of the Glorious Kingdom for suffering or for humility.  They were trying to convince Jesus that he was wrong!

What we learn from Jesus however is a more complex picture of his Kingdom.  Jesus tells us in effect that . . .

A.    Humility and Glory Are Not Opposites

Jesus had just said in effect, We die by living to ourselves--we live by dying to ourselves.

Door # 1 , Door # 2, or Door # 3

Imagine you are a game show participant.  You are given the option of door # 1, and door # 2 but the amazing thing about this game show is that they actually give you a brief description of what is behind each door.   If you choose door # 1 you will receive 1 earthly blessing of your choice. If you choose door # 2 you will receive suffering and humiliation.  Which door will you choose?  OK that was too easy.  Door # 1.  You chose a blessing rather than suffering.  Who in his right mind would choose suffering and humiliation over blessing.  Some do however.  But I haven’t made my point yet.  What if the game had three doors.  The first two doors were just as I described.  But behind door # 3 you will find it’s a combination of suffering and blessing.  Behind door # 3 is suffering and humiliation with heavenly blessings.  Now which do you choose, 1, 2, or 3?  Now it’s no longer a game.  Jesus is asking us to choose door # 3.  Choose to follow him through suffering and humiliation and you will find the God’s choice blessings, a glory that is never ending. 

In order to see this truth let’s first read the account of the transfiguration and the Cloud of Glory then compare it with the Crucifixion, the climax of Christ’s humility.

Mark 9:1 through Mark 9:12 (NIV) ¹And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” ²After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. ³His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. ⁴And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. ⁵Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁶(He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) ⁷Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” ⁸Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. ⁹As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. ¹¹And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” ¹²Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?

• The glory revealed on the mountain is a private epiphany while the suffering on the cross is a public spectacle.
• Jesus is surrounded on the mountain by two prophets of old, Moses and Elijah; on Golgotha, by two thieves
• On the mountain, Jesus’ garments glisten in his glory, on Golgotha, they take his garments from him, compounding his humiliation.
• Three male disciples view his glory at close range; three female disciples view his suffering from afar.
• A divine voice from the cloud announces that Jesus is the Son of God; one of his executioners, a Roman centurion, acclaims him to be the Son of God after his death.
• In both scenes someone raises the question of Elijah.  Coming down the mountain, Jesus informs his disciples that Elijah has already come and they did to him as they pleased.  When Jesus hangs from the cross in torment, the bystanders taunt him with one last jibe: “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down” (15:36). The perceptive reader knows that they have things all wrong.  There will be no deliverance until the end of the age and only a few will discern the glory of God manifest on Golgotha.[iv]

Here’s another way of putting it.  You haven’t seen the fullness of Christ’s glory until you see how his power merges with suffering—how his humility is coupled with his glory. 

The revelation of Christ’s becomes an important reassurance to the disciples.  Right after the statements about Christ’s humiliation the unveiling of his glory confirms the accuracy of Peter's confession.  It promises that following Christ on a way marked by suffering and humiliation has cosmic implications and will ultimately lead to glory.  The event is designed specifically in order to prepare the disciples, and us, for what is ahead. 

B.  Mountain Top Reassurances Help In the Valley

Jesus has explained with words of reassurance that his humility expressed through his suffering and death are not opposites to glory.  But words alone prove inadequate to remove the cloud of gloom.  Telling you what’s behind door # 3 with words alone may not be enough for you to choose it.  You will notice that words of reassurance, and words of revelation only confused the disciples.  What they needed was an increased capacity to see the truth.  An increased capacity to believe the glory was worth the difficulty.  It took a greater revelation than words to remove that cloud of gloom.  It took the cloud of glory.  First let’s look again at the words of reassurance (kind of like the description of what’s behind door # 3) then let’s look at the mountaintop revelation which was more than mere words of reassurance, but an actual glimpse as if door # 3 were opened for a viewing!

First the words, then the Cloud of Glory

Although the revealed words help.  Words alone are inadequate to dispel a cloud of gloom. A glorious vision is needed.  Jesus begins with verbal reassurances then brings the disciples out of their cloud of gloom into the cloud of Glory.

1.  Verbal Reassurance (Revelation)

1.       . . . and after three days rise again. . . . (8:31)

2.       . . . comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (8:38)

3.       "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." (9:1) 

The confidence of Jesus leaps out at you with his statement.  He has just been speaking of his death; he has no doubt that the Cross stands ahead of him; but nonetheless he is absolutely sure that in the end there will be triumph.   Jesus has already set his sights on the Second Coming! It is the Glory that gives him the ability to walk through the gloom.  And he allows us a preview of that glory.

2.  Visual Reassurance (A Multi Sensory Revelation—THE CLOUD OF GLORY)

Mark 9:7 (NIV) ⁷Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

The Transfiguration is a preview of that glory.

Mark 9:1 (NIV) ¹And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”

The function of Jesus’ statement in 9:1 is to provide certainty that the Son of Man will indeed come with glory, and that those who now share his sufferings will also share in his exaltation.  Certain individuals present will be privileged to see the unveiling of Jesus’ glory. Nothing short of this can satisfy the expectation prompted by Jesus' promise in 9:1.  This manifestation of this glory fulfills this promise and strengthens the disciples for their coming ordeal.

Immediately after the promise of 9:1 we read the account of the transfiguration.  8:38 speaks of Christ’s Second Coming; and 9:1 speaks of the revalation of that Glory as a guarantee and it began with the Transfiguration!  This was a moment of transcendent glory.  It was an enthronement so to speak and an anticipation of the glory that is to come. 

II.  From His Transfiguration To Ours

The transfiguration is like the mountaintop epiphany/theophany of Moses, and the mountaintop epiphany/theophany of Elija (Sinai Ex 24; Horeb, I Kings 19) but Jesus is the central figure of glory and both Moses and Elijah again view the glory of God.  It was no accident that Jesus led these disciples to a mountaintop for this revelation.  They are to consider it in light of these other mountaintop epiphanies. 

Let’s ponder together what the words are attempting to describe.  Words I think fail to describe the glory. We cannot tell exactly what happened.  We can only bow in reverence as we try to understand.

The word used to describe the event and from which we get the word transfiguration is the verb metamorpho from which we get our English word metamorphosis.  A metamorphosis is a transformation, a change of form.  The English "transfiguration" employs the prefix "trans" which means "across.”  A transoceanic voyage travels across the ocean.  A transcontinental trip moves across the continent.  The English word transfigure is an appropriate choice of words to capture the meaning of the event.  A limit or barrier is crossed here. Perhaps we might call it a crossing of the line between natural and supernatural, between the human and the divine.

The Gospel writers give a vivid account of what was seen by the disciples.  "His face shone like the sun."  Both Luke and Matthew record that the face of Jesus began to shine.  Matthew compares the radiance of the shining to the intensity of the sun.  This experience recalls the experience of Moses, whose face shone on Mount Sinai.  The Veil of Christ’s humility is lifted to reveal His Glory.  Christ does not merely reflect the brightness of divine glory like Moses did.  He IS the brightness of divine glory.  His glory transcends the reflected glory seen on the face of Moses.

His clothes became as white as the light. Matthew says they were "white as the Light" (17:2). Luke says "as bright as a flash of lightning" (9:29). Mark says "dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them" (9:3).

The light source was Christ Himself.

In Revelation 21 we read:

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and thee Lamb is its lamp. 21:23

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.  There will be no more night.  They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. 22:4-5

Notice what God the Father Says of the Son from the Cloud of Glory:

But before we do, notice this.  Moses and Elijah are with Jesus.  Do they represent the greatest of God’s revelations before Jesus—representing the Law and the Prophets?  Together they are the personification of the Old Covenant writings.  Here is a mountaintop summit meeting.  But after the cloud comes Jesus alone is left, and God speaks.  THIS IS MY SON LISTEN TO HIM.  Every revelation before Jesus anticipates him.  After Jesus has come his revelation supercedes the other revelations and we are to listen to Him!  And what is it he is talking about?  The cross, and what it means to follow him on his mission.

BUT LET’S NOT GET SO CAUGHT UP IN THE GLORY THAT WE FORGET THE REASON FOR IT’S REVELATION!   Mark wants the persecuted Roman Christians the first readers of this Gospel to take this word to heart.  We also need to take his words to heart.  The this suffering and glory go together.

The Practical Significance of the Transfiguration

            1.            It does something for Jesus.

a.         Moses and Elijah met with him.    The greatest of law givers and the greatest of prophets say to Jesus in effect "Go On!"  They saw in Jesus the fulfillment of all that they had dreamed of in the past.  All that history had longed for and hoped for .  All of history was leading up to the Cross.

b.         God spoke with Jesus.  "Go on!"  Jesus is assured that the way he has chosen is the right way.

            2.            It does something for the disciples.

The Cloud of Gloom was dispelled by the cloud of Glory and they were adequately prepared for the ordeal they would face.  They were adequately prepared to share the glory of Christ with others.

            3.            It does something for Us--

It gives us the vision we need to be Christlike!  The vision we need to follow Christ.

The humiliation will not always be.  The Glory is guaranteed yet still not completely fulfilled.   Yet we need a clearer picture of our hope and glory.  The difficulty is always seeing our earthly mission from a heavenly perspective.  It was difficult Seeing Christ's earthly mission from a heavenly perspective.  It is often difficult to see the unseen Supernatural realm behind the events of the seen natural realm.  What looks like humility is often the height of heavenly glory.  What looks like shame may be heavenly fame.

The vision of Glory gives us the courage to follow Christ.  Other books were given for our information--the Bible was given for our transformation. This revelation given to the three disciples, has now been given to the world, and it is a revelations that gives us courage to take up the difficult and high calling of following Christ.  

What does it look like to follow Christ?  There are levels to Christlikeness.  Many churches and many Christians fail to go beyond the most basic level.  The basic level of Christlikeness is Moral Level—being more like Christ morally.  Some churches preach good morals, that we should be good, but fail to point us to the next and vital level of Christlikeness—the Mission level.  Christ didn’t simply ask us to be good.  He asked us to deny ourselves pick up our cross and follow him.  Follow him where?  On his mission.  What was his mission?  To seek and save the lost.  He was the way, and he made the way.  We now are to point people to that way which is a person.  The third level of Christlikeness is the Methods Level.  He told us to deny ourselves and carry his cross.  The way of humility and suffering, carrying the load for others and investing our lives in them, even at the level of sacrifice is the method of making disciples.  He wants us to have the courage to follow him, to be like him, only a glorious vision of who he is will sustain us in the valley cross bearing.  We must remember the mountain top where we had a clear vision of his glory when we are in the valleys and all we see is the suffering and the daily grind of carrying the cross.

A Vision that helps us Follow Christ.

Levels of Christlikeness

1.        The Moral Level

2.        The Mission Level

3.        The Methods Level

After a great gathering of Christian youth, the offering was being counted. At the bottom of the offering, the counters found a picture of a teenage girl. They all made the same immediate assumption. Some boy had taken a girl's wallet, taken out the picture and thrown it in the offering basket as a practical joke. That's the kind of thing teenagers sometimes do. Then someone turned the picture over. There was something written on the back. "I have nothing to give, but I give myself." [v]