Luke 9:28-36 - The Transfiguration

Two weeks ago when we were last in the Book of Luke Pastor Jude referred to an occasion during his football career when the TV commentators featured his play as a turning point in the game. I won't ask you how many remember what the Turning Point turned out to be but yesterday. I marked an anniversary of the Turning Point not in a game but in my life. I had to come. a very unhappy frustrated and bitter teenager

I was so angry one day that I determined to leave home the next morning. To go to a nearby city, which was Sue Saint Marie.

And never come back.

But later that evening.

My father came to my bedroom where he had sent me because of my Angry outburst. He talked to me about the direction of my life. By God's grace. He helped me see that my hostility and bitterness to wear. My family was not my biggest problem. My biggest problem was my hostility toward God.

And that night. 61 years ago yesterday I acknowledged my sin. Got reconciled to God.

And the direction of my life changed forever.

Turning points in our lives may stem from some particularly critical choice that we make in life. Perhaps from a time when we hit rock bottom as it were. Let me make some amazing Discovery or have some unusual success. And perhaps we see are turning points more clearly when we look in the rearview mirror. The number just going along through life. And when Jesus invited the disciples to go with him up on the mountain to pray that day. I'm sure they had no idea. But they were about to have one of the most dramatic and profound experiences of their lives. And we can read about it in Luke chapter 9. Beginning at verse 28 and you will have that scripture portion on the back of the insert in your bulletin and it will also be on the screen and I would encourage you to stand and as you're able and to read it along with me in unison and then to remain standing afterwards for prayer, so let's stand together as we're able. beginning and verse 28 now about 8 days after these things he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray and as he was praying the appearance of his face was altered and his clothing became dazzling white and behold two men were talking with him Moses and Elijah who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem now Peter and those who were with him, we're happy with sleep, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him and as the men were parting from him Peter said to Jesus Master it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents one for you one for Moses and one for Elijah not knowing what he said. Has he was saying these things iCloud came and overshadowed them and they were afraid as they enter the cloud boys came out of the cloud saying this is my son My Chosen One listen to him and when the boys had spoken Jesus was found alone and they kept silent and told no one in those days anyting of what they had seen. Let us pray. Our father and our God as we look into your word together this morning. We realize it is the Living Word. Thank you for the messages and song that our worship team lettuce in this morning. I pray that as we consider this passage of scripture that your spirit would teach us throughs that you want us to know and to obey. Speak to our waiting Hearts. We pray in Jesus name and for his sake. Amen. Please be seated.

A friend that I've known for a long time, but it was not here today had an interesting way of critiquing sermons. He used to say a text without a context is a pretext.

To avoid making that mistake this morning. I'd like to review some of the context provided for us by earlier chapters in Luke.

The Transfiguration took place after Jesus had Focus much of his ministry performing a wide range of Miracles such as Healing The Sick people many sick people in Luke chapter 4 producing that huge catch a fish and cleansing a leper in chapter 5 healing a man with the withered hand in chapter 6 raising a Widow's dead son to life in Luke 7 calming a storm + healing a demon-possessed man and restoring gyrus daughter to life. in chapter 8 and then feeding a crowd of more than 5,000 with a boy's lunch in new chapter 9 verses 10 to 17. Peter saw clearly that Jesus had power over sickness. He had authority over the fish of the Seas. He was Sovereign over man's great enemy death. He had he could he had power and authority over demons.

He was Sovereign over the wind and the waves and he could change a boy's lunch into a feast for thousands as Chris. I shared with us three weeks ago. No wonder Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ in verses 18 to 20. Jesus had clearly established his Divine identity as the promised one the Messiah. And two weeks ago Pastor Jude identified Peter's confession as the major turning point in Jesus ministry. Immediately after that Jesus predicted his suffering his death and his resurrection verses 21 and 22. And this announcement must have totally bewildered the disciples as they had been expecting him to establish an Earthly Kingdom and to deliver Israel from Roman oppression. They needed fresh reassurance. None of this context we come to the Transfiguration of Jesus. In the parallel accounts Matthew said his face shine like the son and his clothes became White as light. Mark said his clothes became radiant intensely White. And someone unknown to me presented the scene this way on an internet website.

You can see the way the artists attempted to portray that idea that match Matthew gave us expressing how they the light originated inside Jesus and radiated out from him. Of course, it's the artist had shown his face as bright as the sun is Matthew described it. We would have had difficulty looking at him in the face nevertheless. I think the artist captured the image as well as we could hope.

Some questions come to my mind and perhaps to yours as we reflect together on this spectacular event. For example, unusual was the Transfiguration.

What if any presidents do we see in the Old Testament?

Why were Moses and Elijah brought into this amazing scene with Jesus? Why did it take place at this time or even at all? We will not be able to answer all of these questions, but let's see what we can learn. Let's begin by recalling some details from Moses wife and his interactions with God during his life on Earth, which was some 1500 years beforehand.

Notice, especially the prominent role that fire played in his meetings with God. First let's look at the burning bush episode. when God Called Moses to lead Israel out of bondage in Egypt and for the sake of time, I will try to remember to Simply read a few of the words in the text to allow us to recall the essence of those particular passages. You might just want to make note of the passages themselves and look them up again later when you're looking at it at home. beginning in Exodus chapter 3 verse 1 we read now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro on the backside of the desert and the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. The Bush was burning but it was not consumed and God Called to him out of the Bush Moses Moses and Moses said here I am. And God said I am the god of your father the god of Abraham the god of Isaac the god of Jacob and Moses hid his face for he was afraid to look at God.

You'll recall that then Moses returned to Egypt challenged Pharaoh announced the various plagues including the Passover and led the children of Israel out of Egypt through the Red Sea and someone into the wilderness. And after about seven weeks. Moses led the children of Israel to Camp by Mount Sinai in Exodus chapter 19 their God Called Moses up on the mountain to invite the people into a covenant relationship with him and to receive the Ten Commandments as part of that Covenant in verse 18. We read that the mountain was covered with smoke because the Lord descended on it in fire. Another event involving fire occurred in Exodus 24 beginning in verse 16 as God confirm his Covenant with the people of Israel. Alligator was at Mount Sinai eye and an inverse 16 the glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Cyanide and the cloud-covered it six days and on the seventh day. He called Moses and out of the midst of the cloud and he said not now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Exodus 33 tells us how the Lord used to speak to Moses face-to-face as with a friend. And then in verse 18 of chapter 33 Moses said please Show Me Your Glory. And the Lord agreed and said I will make all my goodness pass before you and will Proclaim before you my name the Lord and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of The Rock and I will cover you with my hand until I pass by.

In Exodus 34 we see the impact on Moses from his meeting with God. Inverse 29th. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony or the Ten Commandments as we commonly refer to them in his hand Moses did not know that the skin of his face Sean because he's been talking with God Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses and behold the skin of his face Sean, and they were afraid to come near him. I'm sure you'll agree that these examples provide plenty of support for why Moses was selected for this spectacular event when Jesus was was transfigured. Now that's look at why God might have selected Elijah to take part in this scene.

Going to 1st Kings chapter 17. We find the lead-up to the confrontation between Elijah and King Ahab and a false prophets the prophets of Baal. Baal was the Canaanite god for rain and fertility among other things. Elijah pronounce God's judgement on rebellious Israel in the form of a nationwide drought that was going to extend for 3 years. And starting at verse 1 of chapter 16 Elijah said to Ahab as the Lord the god of Israel lives before whom I stand there shall be neither do nor rain during these years except by my word.

and the rain stopped and the month started to roll by Without Rain

things got dry. The Lord said to me to Elijah to go and live by the Brook cherith that is east of the Jordan and he did so where he was fed by Ravens the God had orchestrated until the brook dried up because there was no rain in the land. Then the Lord said arise go to Zarephath. He said I commanded a widow there to feed you. So he went to Zarephath you found the widow. She was outside the city Gathering sticks to cook to cook her last meal the last little bit of flour. She had in the last little bit of oil. She had she was going to cook. Edith with her son and die is what she said. Did I just said first give me a drink. Give me something to eat.

And she agreed she gave it to him. He said the jar of oil the jar part of me the jar of flour shall not be spent and the jug of oil should not be empty until the day the Lord sends rain upon the Earth. And she went and did as Elijah said and the jar of oil was not spent neither was a jug of oil empty according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

And then it verse 17 we find at the Widow's son got sick and died.

Elijah cried to the Lord. He said oh Lord my God, let this child's life come into him again. And the Lord listen to the voice of Elijah and the life of the child came back into him again, and he revived.

the next chapter 1st Kings 18 We see how the battle against Ahab and the false prophets played out as Elijah called Israel back to God. Elijah said to Ahab you have abandoned the Commandments of the Lord and followed the bails. They only had 450 prophets of Baal and 400 more profits for asherah that his wife Jezebel supported. Elijah told Ahab to gather the people together for a public Showdown.

And so they all they all gathered in Mount Carmel to witness this great conflict. And it was agreed by the people in the false prophets and Elijah.

But the plan would be to have two altars built. The prophets of Baal with Bill their Walter Porter sacrifice on it and then call to the god of Baal to bring down fire and consume the sacrifice and Elijah would do the same. He would put a sacrifice over here on another Altar and call on God to produce fire to send down to bring the sacrifice. I do know what happened the prophets of Baal prayed from morning through to noon and nothing had happened and it through the afternoon. Nothing happened. Finally gave up after Elijah taunted them for a bit and then Elijah rebuilt the altar of the Lord. Can you put the sacrifice on top of it? And they poured water on it and more and more water.

And then he prayed.

Is it all Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel? Let it be known this day that you are God and Israel a lord answer me that this people may know that you oh Lord Our God and then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the. Then licked up the water those in the trench around.

And all the people saw that they fell on their faces and cried out. Oh Lord. The Lord is God the Lord. He is God and then God sent the rain to replace the drive.

Let's Briefly summarize this look back. Moses was probably the most famous personality the entire Old Testament. He was a man God Called to lead his people out of slavery in Egypt after 400 years Bush got talked with Moses as with a friend God revealed his glory to Moses and Moses reflected that the brightness of God's presence with him after those 40 days on Mount Sinai. God gave the Ten Commandments in the whole sacrificial system to Israel through Moses. Elijah was the great prophet. God used to call rebellious Israel back to the Lord and in response to Elijah's prayer. God sent fire down to consume the sacrifice proving that indeed Elijah was serving the true God and then God sent the rain. That was so desperately needed. This brings us to our passage again in describing the Transfiguration of Jesus. That's why these two men were there I believe. The word transfigured literally means changed in form much like the word metaphor purse Metamorphoses describes a change in form of a caterpillar into a butterfly. In this case though. It seems that for a very brief. The disciples were allowed to see the eternal glory of Christ. Which had been kept Under Wraps during Jesus Earthly Ministry. The disciples had seen and heard all the Earthly evidence. Demonstrating that Jesus was the Messiah. Peter had made his Turning Point declaration that Jesus was the Christ of God and now God provides this glorious Heavenly evidence. To affirm that indeed Jesus was truly the Son of God the long-awaited Messiah the Lamb of God who would die as a substitute for us sinners. You'll recall from Matthew's account that Jesus face Shawn like the sun. This brilliant light radiated out from Jesus it was not a light from an external source that was being reflected off him. It was originated inside Jesus. When Moses came down after meeting with God on the mountain his face Shawn with reflected light. But the dancing like we see here was flowing out from Jesus even through his clothing. Jesus was and is the source of light that radiates out to everyone who believes in him. Now the key activity that took place is recorded in verses 30 and 31. We read that Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus about his departure. Which he was about to accomplish that Jerusalem. What an interesting conversation that must have been? We do not know how this exchange proceeded. We're Moses and Elijah asking each other questions about how or precisely when or why Jesus would be killed. Did they already understand that the sacrifices of atonement that had been instituted through Moses and then restored by Elijah we're pointing directly to the sacrifice of atonement that Jesus would offer as a substitute for Sinners everywhere both inside and outside Israel.

How familiar were they with Isaiah's prophecy? In chapter 53 where do scribes price death as a sacrificial atonement for sinners? Isaiah wrote surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows yet. We esteemed him stricken Smitten by God and Afflicted but he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way. And the lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah had given this prophecy hundreds of years after Moses lived at perhaps a hundred and fifty years after Elijah's time on Earth. And here is Luke 9. It seems that Moses and Elijah just returned to Earth temporarily in their new glorified bodies for this conversation with Jesus. The topic of their conversation was Jesus departure or exit or Exodus from the earth, which Jesus was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. Now isn't that strange language to use I mean when have you ever heard about someone's death as being an accomplishment But Jesus death was very different than all others.

The Apostle John record in chapter 10 verse 18 Jesus statement. No one takes my life from me. But I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and I have authority to take it up again.

This charge I have received from my father. I believe that when Jesus was talking with Moses and Elijah. He was referring not only to his coming crucifixion, but also to his resurrection and to his Ascension back to the father.

No doubt Peter and John and James were observing this take place in stunned silence at first. I don't know how but the disciples recognize Moses and Elijah. And Peter was so impressed that he suggested building a shelter like a memorial I sent for each of them. The words were scarcely out of his mouth when God spoke. This is my beloved Son My Chosen One hear him or listen to him. You told Peter that Jesus was not just one man among three he was unique. He was the very one that God the father chose to redeem a lost world back to himself. And at that moment Moses and Elijah disappeared and Jesus was found alone. Jesus was there alone as the sole focus of their attention. Jesus stands totally apart today from even the very best of men.

How shortly after the Transfiguration, of course the Pinnacle events in all human history took place in Jerusalem. Jesus was crucified. He was buried and he rose again from the dead. Demonstrating for all time and the whole world that God the father was satisfied with his sacrifice for sinners.

Will not deal with these events today, but they'll cut because they'll come later in in Luke. But jump ahead with me to three days after the crucifixion. Clearpass was walking along with a friend toward Emmaus. They were not famous people like Moses and Elijah, but just ordinary like you and me.

Jesus caught up to them as they walked along and join their conversation. But they did not recognize him. Lucra cars in chapter 24 verses 25 and following that Jesus said to them o foolish ones and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the prophets The Interpreter to them and all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

In his gospel account John wrote about the Transfiguration in chapter 1 verse 14 this way. We have seen his glory glory as of the only son from the father full of grace and truth. In Hebrews 1:3 we read he that is Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature and he upholds the universe by the word of his power and after making purification for sins. He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Later, Peter would write we being one of the three we were eyewitnesses of his majesty for when he received honor and Glory from God the father and the boys was born to him by the Majestic Glory. This is my beloved Son in with whom I am. Well pleased Peters as we ourselves heard this very voice born from heaven for we were with him on the Holy Mountain. And then in Revelation again, John Wright's first in chapter one. I turned to see the boys that was speaking to me and I'm turning I saw one like a son of man. The hairs of his head were white. Like white wool, like snow his eyes were like a flame of fire. And his face was like the sun shining in full strength. Later in chapter 21 John continued. I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth and I saw the holy city New Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven from God prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Then came one of the seven angels and spoke to me saying come I will show you the bride the wife of the Lamb. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great high mountain and showed me the Holy City Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven from God having the glory of God. It's Radiance like a most rare Jewel like a Jasper clear as Crystal.

Can you imagine how much God loves people? To give his only son to redeem them.

I have not thought about it before. But during the secret Church evening a few weeks ago David Platt spoke about two occasions when someone volunteered to be a mediator and pay the penalty for sins that others had committed.

The offer buy one of these volunteers was not accepted. Where is the Opera by the other volunteer was accepted and was successful?

Moses was the first volunteer.

We did not talk about it earlier, but you will recall the time when Moses was up on the mountain. Received the Ten Commandments you came down to find that are in the people had build a golden calf and we're worshipping it as though it had brought them out of Egypt God threatened to eliminate them in judgment for their idolatry, but Moses interceded at the end of Exodus chapter 32, he said to God, please forgive their sin. But if not brought me brought my name out of the book you have written. But God would not accept Moses offer. Instead he struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf that Aaron had made God judge their sin and they died.

Jesus was the second volunteer. the volunteer mediator between God and sinners In contrast to Moses experience God accepted the offer of Jesus to become incarnate to live and to die as a substitute to pay the penalty of our sin.

And Hebrews chapter 10 we read when Christ came into the world. He said sacrifices and offerings. You have not desired but a body you have prepared for me in burnt offerings and sin offerings you of taking no pleasure. Then Jesus said behold, I have come to do your Will O God and God accepted Christ offer to be the mediator or the substitute for us paying the penalty we deserved so that we could be forgiven.

God judged my sin in Christ. When he died in my place.

Did he judge your sin there, too?

Or are you still carrying it yourself?

Let me leave you with a question for your personal consideration.

When we reflect on their brilliant picture of Christ given to us here in Luke 9 the Transfiguration story. We realized that many of us focus our lives on temporal things that are relatively unimportant.

I'm so thrilled to see that some of our young adults. My phone must have just returned from Angola. or Tim in Japan or Josie was about to leave for Macedonia. What they're doing? Essentially saying Lord, how where do you want me to do you want to use me to take the gospel to people around the world who still do not know what Christ has accomplished on the cross?

In returning to Earth in glorified bodies for such a brief encounter Moses and Elijah revealed that there's a brilliant future for those who trust the Lord. The Transfiguration of Jesus gives us a tiny glimpse into that future which God has prepared for those who truly love him and who trust in a sacrificial death of his son Jesus the Christ. You know scripture passage today. We saw Moses and Elijah appearing with Jesus in glory and speaking of his departure. Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church. I Has Not Seen Nor Ear heard nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him.

Has he prepared those things for you?

Do you love him?

Does he look at you and see you as part of the bride of Christ?

Or are you still trying to come to grips with what the Bible says about God? and about you and about what Christ has done to make it possible for you to be right there related to God. If you were to die tonight. What would you say to God if he were to ask you? Why should I let you into my heaven? What would your answer be?

If you have any doubt about what you would say or whether your answer would be satisfactory.

Please speak to me to Pastor Jude one of the other pastors or other elders. Will it be more than delighted to speak with you about this critically important matter?

Someday, will you look back on this day? as the turning point in your life

May God Spirit help you to do. So in Jesus name. Amen.