The Transfiguration

Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 9:1-13 / Psalm 104:1-35

I. The Coming Kingdom Appeared

A. Jesus told the crowd that some present would see His kingdom. “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.” (Mark 9:1)

B. Peter, James, and John saw the ultimate kingdom. “And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.” (Mark 9:2)

C. The event dazzled beyond any possible human production. “And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.” (Mark 9:3)

D. Elijah and Moses appeared from Heaven to talk with Jesus. “And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.” (Mark 9:4)

II. Peter Caught the Excitement

A. Peter drew a connection with the Feast of Tabernacles and the approach of the end of the age. “And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.” (Mark 9:5)

B. What does one say when the windows of Heaven open? “For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.” (Mark 9:6)

C. God Himself confirmed Jesus and His call and ordered the witnesses to hear Jesus. “And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.” (Mark 9:7)

III. Something More Important Was Coming

A. The visitors returned to Heaven as the angels had at the nativity. Jesus remained to finish His ministry, die on the cross, rise from the grave, and only then ascend into Heaven. “And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.” (Mark 9:8)

B. A wonderful event had occurred, but it would not be appropriate to teach until the cross and the resurrection had been seen and understood. “And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.” (Mark 9:9)

C. On Emmaus Road Jesus would explain everything and the encounter would become part of the gospel. “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:27-32)

D. Peter explained what had occurred and why it had to be remembered. “Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour 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. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.” (2 Peter 1:15-18)

E. Then Peter concluded the story with what may be the most amazing of all statements in Scripture; the Bible is more powerful than human experience or the most reliable testimony of tradition. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:” (2 Peter 1:19)

F. Scripture is not a matter of private experience or interpretation; the Bible must be understood in the context which it supplies. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20) Consequently truth cannot be a matter of private opinion.

G. Scripture is God’s interpretation of the gospel story; the Holy Spirit produced the Bible and speaks in it as the final authority on all things in the church. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21)

H. Here is what the Bible says. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” (Hebrews 1:1-3)