INTRODUCTION: When we read these verses, at least in my mind, I wonder if we as Christians could witness the “Transfiguration” as these Disciples did, would we be better Christians.
For us to know we heard God speak. Then witness, the glorification of Jesus’ body with utter fear and awe. To actually see Moses and Elijah, what a day that would be.
How long would the euphoria last? Could it possibly be a week or a month or until eternity before we lost that zeal for God that we acquired?
Do we need such manifestations to support us in the hour of sorrow and trial? When we come to this mount are we apt to be so blinded with the “glory of the light” that we cannot see the helpful lessons we might learn.
We might learn that-
I. TO BE ALONE WITH THE LORD IS A GLORIOUS PRIVILEGE. (vv 1-2)
A. While Alone With Him,
1. They beheld His glory,
i. Eye-witnesses of His majesty.
2. If we would know Jesus Christ
i. In all His glorious fullness,
3. Let us be much alone with Him
i. In our mount of prayer.
B. We Hope To Be Alone With Him In Eternity;
1. Why not seek His presence now?
II. THE LORD IS INFINITELY MORE GLORIOUS (v 2)
A. Than Men See Him To Be.
1. There was a double glory,
i. That which shone out of Heaven from the Father,
ii. And that which shone out of Himself
a. As the image of the Father.
C. The Carnal Eye Saw No Beauty In Him,
1. He is glorious,
i. Regardless.
D. The Hidden Glory Of Christ,
1. His glorification
i. The hidden glory of the Christian,
a. We will also be glorified
E. The Same Lord
1. Who has transfigured our souls
i. Will one day transfigure our bodies
III. THE DEATH OF CHRIST (v 3)
A. The Most Important Subject Under Heaven.
1. Jesus’ Glorification
2. His impending death on the Cross
B. Consider The Subject Of Their Discussion
1. One appointed to die on a cross.
C. Consider, What Moses and Elijah would think
1. Of those today who deny the atoning death of Jesus?
IV. THE GLORY OF THE LORD (v 6)
A. In Our Present State
1. Can only be barely appreciated.
2. That voice of God terrified them.
V. ONLY THE LORD IS SUFFICIENT (vv 7-8)
A. To Comfort A Troubled Heart.
B. The Living Word of God
1. When it touches,
i. The sorrowful or terrified soul,
a. It is enough.
b. (It’s all that is required)
2. If all else should fail,
i. The Touch,
ii. The Word,
a. Of Jesus is sufficient
VI. THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD (v 9)
A. Is The Foundation Of The Gospel.
B. The Gospel of His Glorification
1. Must come after the Gospel of the Cross.
C. But Christ Is Risen;
1. Now tell of His Glory
i. Your faith is real
VII. TO HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD (v 5)
A. Is A Divine Command.
B. Father is “well pleased”
1. Hear the Voice of His Word.
2. He is a great Teacher come from God,
i. His with God's message to sinful
men.
3. The voice of His works.
4. His works of miracle and mercy.
CONCLUSION: We have read this story of Jesus’ transfiguration, the descriptions given within the text, allows for our imaginations to wander.
However, I don’t believe that was the purpose of our being told three times about His transfiguration.
God was showing us three transfigurations, one we will witness at our Salvation, the second when God calls us Home, or when He calls His Church Home. This third is the possibility of the Christians ability to change Governments and to cause the land to be healed, by transfiguration.
I read a quote this morning stated by Dr. Larry Groves, he said; “If you love God’s Word, the world will not love you.” We are not of this world, why do we walk with them.
I watched Glenn Beck’s “Redeeming Honor” this last Saturday. I heard Jesus invoked more than I have ever heard on secular TV. The whole program felt to me based on 2 Chronicles 7:14 . It was probably the NIV version, maybe all I saw wasn’t what I would overall agree with. Yet, the focus was as a Human Race, we need to get first back to God, then look to our Nation. It is a transfiguration we as Christians need, that of getting ourselves back to God.
This transfiguration we read about is a description of His Holiness, His Power, and it defines who He is. It also shows us what we have in store. If we are greeted at a Pearly Gate, I don’t know for sure who will be greeting us, but my mind tells me Moses and Elijah, not necessarily Peter as all the stories relate. Of course we do not know, just an un-necessary thought.
What is your thought? If you could go to that mountain top and witness what Peter, James, and John saw, would God speak to you or would He shun you as an unknown?
We as Christians must know God is greater than all the greatest things we know of, He is Majesty, He is Almighty, and He is the Eternal, the Everlasting.
Would seeing Jesus transfigured (Glorified) change your attitude towards His Church? Would it make our absences less, our giving more, our smile greater? Would it cause you to praise Him daily, only to find in a few weeks, may be months all that praise has diminished, to an occasional day? Would it be gone, like the important news stories, until the next important story?
We as Christians are a fickle lot and may be as the LORD called the Hebrew children, stiff-necked. We must get past our thin skin and worship our Lord. Most here have preconceived ideas, right or wrong; we need to know from our Bible.
What are we, we are His servants, yet at times it seems we make Him our servant. If you worked as hard at work as you do for the Lord, how long would it take your boss to fire you?
Jesus has promised us eternal Salvation and we know we can’t be fired from Him, just like a tenured union employee or a College Professor cannot be fired, consequently effort is not required.
[1] adapted from “Handfuls On Purpose” James Smith, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Series I, Pages 165
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