The Transfiguration
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There are a number of miraculous events recorded in Scripture that occurred to the person of Jesus.
The virgin conception of the Lord.
The bodily resurrection of the Lord.
The ascension of the Lord.
There is another miraculous event that we don’t hear much preaching on. The transfiguration of Jesus Christ is an important event in the life of Jesus. This morning we’re going to take a look at it. We’re going to consider four lessons we learn from the transfiguration of Jesus Christ.
Before we look at the lessons, I want to point you to 16:28. This verse has been used by skeptics of the Bible to prove that Jesus was mistaken about when He would return. Opponents of the Bible say that Jesus was teaching that He would return and set up His kingdom before the Apostles died.
That’s a ridiculous claim. But there have been many different interpretations of what Jesus meant in 16:28.
Here are a few:
* Jesus was referring to the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.
*Jesus was referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 .
* Jesus was referring to His resurrection.
* Spurgeon held an interesting view. He believed Jesus was referring to the second death. He thought Jesus was making reference to Judas. His understanding was “taste of death” did not mean merely dying but referred to the return of Christ when Jesus casts the devil and his followers into the Lake of Fire.
* Jesus was referring to the Transfiguration.
I believe He was referring to the transfiguration. The transfiguration is found in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Each time it follows the words of Jesus in 16:28.
Peter, James and John were about to see Jesus as He would appear when He returns to set up His kingdom on earth. Now let’s consider the lessons.
1. The transfiguration was confirmation that Jesus is the Savior.
A. The three men.
The theme of this section is endurance.
Jesus is preparing them for His death (16:21).
They must:
Deny self, take up cross, follow Jesus.
These three men saw more than the other disciples:
When Jairus daughter was raised from the dead.
When Jesus prayed deep in the Garden of Gethsemane.
When Jesus was transfigured.
They were personally chosen by Christ to attend these events. We may wonder why. Let’s think of each of them:
Peter was the leader, and he was targeted by Satan himself. “Satan has desired to have you…” Just as Job.
James would be the first to be killed for the faith. His head was cut off with a sword (Acts 12:2).
John would outlive everyone.
These men needed encouragement. They would experience heartache and trial.
These men never forgot this event and it certainly encouraged them to endure despite suffering.
John would write in his gospel “And the Word was made flesh and we beheld His glory!” (John 1:14)
Peter would write “We were eyewitnesses of His majesty, For He received from God the Father honor and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” (2 Peter 1:16-17)
Look at verse 9. Don’t tell anyone about this until after Jesus rises from the dead.
This was a privilege for these three men. It was to encourage their faith. Imagine the passion with which you would labor for Jesus if you had been an eyewitness to this.
Listen, we don’t have to tell everyone everything the Lord has done for us. The truth is there are things the Lord has done for me that if I told others, they may think I’m lying or I’m crazy. Sometimes what God does for us is to strengthen our faith.
B. The two witnesses.
Jesus told the men they were going to pray. The disciples fell asleep (Luke 9:32). When they opened their eyes, they saw Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah.
Couple of significant things about these guys.
1. They both had encounters with the glory of God on earth.
Moses went up to Mount Sinai and said to God “Show me your glory.” Saw a part of God and glowed as a result. He was encouraged to continue ministering to a stiff-necked people.
Elijah saw the glory of God on Mount Horeb. Elijah was ready to quit. God told Elijah to stand, and the mountain and Elijah saw the glory of God. Elijah was strengthened.
Peter, James and John are receiving the same encouragement Moses and Elijah did.
2. God left heaven to encourage Moses and Elijah, Moses and Elijah left heaven to encourage Jesus. Luke 9:31 says they spoke to Jesus about what He would accomplish in Jerusalem (16:21).
3. These men represented the entirety of Scripture.
Moses represented the Law.
Elijah represented the prophets.
These two men are confirming that Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets.
Moses stood for the Law. If Christ taught anything contrary to it, he would not be a witness for Jesus.
Elijah stood against idolatry. If Jesus were creating a false religion Elijah would not have been a witness for Him.
C. The One Voice.
When Jesus was transformed there was a voice from heaven that said, “This is My beloved Son, Listen to him.” Jesus is the only One the Father has ever said that about.
It was a clear voice- no doubt what it said!
It was a majestic voice- no doubt who said it!
It was an authoritative voice- scared everyone!
2. The transfiguration was a temporary unveiling of Jesus Christ.
A. Jesus is distinct.
Moses and Elijah were not gloriously transfigured like Jesus was.
Peter wants to build a tabernacle for Moses, Elijah and Jesus. I guess he figured Jesus would begin his earthly rule and these three great men would live on this mountain.
The Father has to interrupt Peter and tell everyone not to listen to Peter but to listen to Jesus. Moses and Elijah don’t need a tabernacle built in their honor.
B. Jesus is Divine.
This transfiguration revealed who Jesus has always been.
John 17:5- “the glory I had before the world existed.”
Jesus fleshly body was for our own good:
We could look upon Him.
He could live among us.
He could die for us.
His body was a veil for His glory.
In the transfiguration Jesus reveals the fullness of who He is.
Normally when the mask is removed from someone, we are disappointed:
Rock Hudson- died of AIDS, revealed as homosexual, women in disbelief.
Bill Cosby- Fat Albert, The Cosby Show, Jell-O
People aren’t normally as glorious as they appear to be.
Jesus is more glorious than He appeared to be.
His appearance was like the sun. Mark 9:3 says His appearance was beyond anything earthly white. His appearance was brilliant, heavenly, like pure light.
Jesus removed His veil. Peter, James and John saw Him as He appeared before He became human. His entire being shone with the glory of God.
This was not a reflection of God as Moses glory was. This glory came from within Christ Himself. This proves Jesus is no mere man. He is the God man.
C. He is devoted.
How long did this last? We don’t know.
The disciples open their eyes and see Jesus only. No longer transformed.
Why does He veil Himself again? So that He can accomplish your salvation. He is going to the cross.
3. Believers have no reason to fear the glorified Christ (7).
A. Jesus touched them.
Our powerful God touches us softly. Imagine them cowering, afraid, head tucked, eyes closed. They feel a touch on their shoulder. They look up and it’s Jesus.
If you are saved Jesus will touch you gently. He will touch you with grace. You have no reason to fear.
B. Jesus comforted them.
Be not afraid. Thank God for the words of Jesus.
Thank God for:
John 11:25 I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
It’s the promises of Christ that enable us not to be afraid of the Person of Christ.
He is powerful enough to crush us all, but He has promised to touch us with grace rather than judgment!
4. The transfiguration is prophetic of the second coming.
There are things in this text that will be true for all believers when Jesus returns.
A. We will see the glorified Christ. Over and over the Bible speaks of Jesus coming in clouds of great glory. One of these days clouds of glory will fill the sky over us. In those clouds will be angelic hosts, hidden from the eyes of man for so long but now visible. Seraph and Cherub burning with the brightness of God’s glory will illuminate the heavens above us.
This is what we will see when Christ returns:
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS- (Rev 19:11-15).
B. Dead saints will be reunited with living ones.
Saints we do not know. Saints we have only read about. I’ve hear people say “I’d like to stand where Paul preached or be baptized in the waters John baptized in.”
We’re going to live with those folks! We’re going to know them personally!
Notice they knew who Elijah and Moses were. In heaven we will know people we have never met.
1 Cor. 13:12- We will know as we are known.
Saints we do know.
Babies that died in infancy
Lives cut short
Husbands/wives
Grandparents
Friends
Jesus will bring the saints who have gone to heaven with Him!
C. People who died and people who didn’t die will be there.
Moses died.
Elijah was taken up to heaven alive.
When Christ returns, those who are alive and remain will be caught up to meet Him in the air.
I’m not afraid to die but I’d love not to!
As we near the end I want to point your attention to verses 10-13.
The disciples are confused. They had been taught that Elijah must return before Christ does. This is found in Malachi 4.
Jesus says Elijah has already come. John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah. He was the fulfillment of that prophecy.
Listen to me friend.
So many signs have already come to pass. More of the Bible had been fulfilled than the disciples realized. More prophecy has been fulfilled than we can imagine.
Christ could return at any moment.
John the Baptist has come!
Christ has come!
The Holy Spirit has come!
The gospel has been taken to the ends of the earth!
There is nothing but the patience of God between us and the Second Coming!
Are you ready to see Christ in His glory?
Are you prepared?
Look to the cross.