The mount of Transfiguration
Mark 9:2-4 “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.
And His raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.”
The first thing to notice here, is that Jesus led these three disciples “into a high mountain…apart by themselves.”
Of course, Jesus knew what was to happen….and….if He had been after a manifestation of HIs glory and power….
….He could have led all His disciples, at the least….or the crowd that was gathered around Him, for healing….or called for the leaders and Pharisees to come.
But Jesus was there on that mountain…..not for a show….but for a conversation with HIs Father (Luke 9:28)…and two of God’s servants of old….”and spake of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:31)
Moses, who represented the Law….the very foundation of God’s Ways of good toward man.
And Elijah, who represented the Prophets….but who was a mighty man of prayer (James 5:17-18).
They were speaking about Christ’s “decease”….which is “exodos” in the Greek.
Speaking of the exit, or departing….”which He should accomplish (make complete, finish) at Jerusalem”
(Remember, He went willingly to Jerusalem…and to the cross. And on the cross before He gave up the ghost….He cried for all who would hear: “It is finished”.
This was the subject of their conversation.
How wonderful for them to see the Christ they had loved and preached, standing in HIs glory, yet speaking of His death….to accomplish the promised Salvation!)
But now, about those disciples which went with Him: let us just say….we are so like them. These are those of Jesus’ inner circle. They are closest to HIm.
Peter has already confessed that He is the Christ, the Son of God. (Mark 8:29)
All three have deserted their old life…and followed Jesus.
And yet….let us be clear, they are devoted to Christ….but still so full of themselves….and their way of thinking about things.
In Luke, it says that while Jesus is praying, they fall asleep (Luke 9:32)….and when Christ’s glory is shining…they wake up…and not knowing what to say!
The transfiguration was the glorification of the Man, Christ Jesus….it comes from the word “metamorphose”…and means Jesus was “changed” in appearance before them, like He would be after the resurrection. (Acts 1:9-11)
What an amazing sight!
Peter, so impetuous…especially with his mouth….speaking up, and speaking out: he recommends they build three tabernacles; one for each of them.
Pretty silly….even though he does put Jesus’s Tabernacle first….yet it is not buildings…no matter how grand that Jesus is speaking about….or showing.
It was His journey to death and resurrection….that to God, His Father, was glorious…
….a fulfillment of the Law….and of the Prophet’s message.
But the disciples were “sore afraid”. They were all afraid….
….but then…
…and how many times God has “covered” our silly words, our fears, our ridiculous thoughts….and spoken to us….pointing us to Christ Jesus our Lord:
Mark 9:7 “And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a Voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son: hear Him.”
How many times have I wanted a great experience like this, in prayer? Wanted to see a manifestation of the glory and power of God?
And how many times has the great experiences I have had with God, been just a prelude to the real meat of the matter:
“Hear HIm” I was to listen to what Jesus is saying to me!
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17)
Psalm 119:130 “The entrance of Thy Words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
The lesson in the mount of Transfiguration is……
…. in the highs and lows of our Christian experience….we are to… watch our words,…..turn from ourselves and our ideas….
….and listen to the Words of Christ.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 