February 11, 2024
Pastor John Hering
Mark 9:2-9
Mark 9:2-9
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him and led them up a high mountain where they were alone by themselves. There he was transfigured in front of them. 3 His clothes became radiant, dazzling white, whiter than anyone on earth could bleach them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them together with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He did not know what to say because they were terrified.
7 A cloud appeared and overshadowed them, and a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him.”
8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus alone.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
This past week the World Soccer news made the headlines. Dallas was hoping to host the world playoff game, but ended up with semi-final games. I know, we are Americans and when we think of football, we think of the Super Bowl! Some of you might drink a Red Bull to get hyped up. We all know how hyped up people get over the Super Bowl or World Soccer, but some people could care less. Wouldn’t it be great to have something hype us up that would last forever?
Jesus has been doing his work around Capernaum. He has been healing people, driving out demons and for many just the mention of Jesus’ name hyped up a crowd. Some people were ripping open roofs and dropping their friends down in front of Jesus to be healed. Others were climbing trees to see him. The time was coming close for Jesus to end his earthly journey and head to the cross. Before this would happen Jesus wanted to be sure the disciples knew exactly who he was. Jesus “asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 They told him, “John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others say one of the prophets.” 29 “But who do you say I am?” he asked them. Peter answered him, “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29). Peter and the other disciples knew who Jesus was. However they were still unclear regarding the work Jesus came to do. We don’t blame them for they were Israelites, waiting for God to keep his promise to send a Savior into the world, a Savior who would rescue them from their worst enemies. So, when Peter answered, they thought it was time to go to Jerusalem and fight the Roman soldiers. But Jesus didn’t say that. Instead, “31 Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things; be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the experts in the law; be killed; and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31). If you had been one of the disciples how hyped up would you be after hearing this?!!! That brings us to the Word of God before us today on Transfiguration Sunday. “2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him and led them up a high mountain where they were alone by themselves. There he was transfigured in front of them.” The word, “transfiguration” means to change one’s appearance. This is way better than Clark Kent ripping off his suit to become Superman because this wasn’t a cartoon. It was the real thing. May the Holy Spirit use this word to hype up our faith to
Believe The True Savior On the Mountains
The Mount of Transfiguration
Just like the disciples with Jesus we also want our faith strengthened in Jesus and know exactly who he is. “There he was transfigured in front of them. 3 His clothes became radiant, dazzling white, whiter than anyone on earth could bleach them.” No one saw Jesus like this before, that is during his time of humiliation—the time when he had his full divinity but didn’t always make full use of it. But this day Jesus did show us his glory! And if that wasn’t enough, “7 A cloud appeared and overshadowed them, and a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him.” There it is. Jesus is God showing his glory on the Mount of Transfiguration!”
Just like the announcement of the World Soccer game, some may be thinking, “That’s awesome,” and other might be thinking, “What’s the big deal? We believe Jesus is the Savior.” But do you realize how unique that is? When you say that you believe Jesus is the only true Savior, you are swimming upstream against the majority of the people living in this world who could care less! Society today wants us to believe anything you want and that all religions are equally valid roads to the same “happy place,” if there is such a thing. They want us to believe this because they don’t want to believe in the true God who also wants us to live according to his holy will. However, even common sense goes against their false idea. If you want to get to God’s Country then follow the advice of Blake Shelton! Get on I-35 and head north to Oklahoma! If you get on I-20 you won’t get there. And the only way you can get to heaven is through faith in Jesus who showed his glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus spoke it clearly, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me” (John 14:6).
We Believe Jesus is the Savior on the Mount of Transfiguration, but we are also still alive on this earth. Thank the Lord for your precious faith. Meanwhile, we have plenty of work to do because there are so many people who don’t believe. The Lord God made a plan that the message of Jesus Christ is proclaimed by you and me. Are you nervous to swim upstream against the evil world? Then once again take a good look at what happened on the Mount of Transfiguration. See Jesus in all his glory—eternal, all-powerful, all knowing, all present for you! I pray your faith is hyped up in Jesus and you make a Spirit-led decision to commit yourself to confessing his gospel—Jesus Is the Savior on the Mount of Transfiguration!
The disciples already had good reason to believe Jesus could defeat the Roman soldiers. If Jesus could calm the storms, heal lepers and raise the dead, then surely had the power to defeat human enemies! But, their worst enemy was not the Romans. It was an enemy that is not conquered by sword and metal armor. No! Jesus Is The Savior who came to defeat our worst enemy on
Mount Calvary
Just like the disciples we are also tempted to fight against our sinful flesh, the world and the devil by building a fortress with thick high walls to keep enemies out. But, by the grace of God we have come to realize that the enemy we are fighting against can’t be defeated with human strength. The Bible tells us, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12). As true God, Jesus knew what had to be done to rescue his followers and everybody else from that. He would have suffer and die on Mount Calvary! Jesus had to fight the battle against Satan, the world and the pay for the sins of our flesh on the cross with his precious, powerful blood or else we would have to spend all eternity dying in hell to pay for sin. As true Man the thought of his perfect human flesh (the price God demanded for sin) being whipped, nailed to a cross, blood trickling down his face, dehydration, and the torture of separation from God’s love was horrible. So, come with once again to the Mount of Transfiguration and what do we see? “4 And Elijah appeared to them together with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.” If you were about to face the worse days of your life, would you want Moses and Elijah to show up? Let’s think about this. Moses was used by God to lead his people out of Egypt to Mount Sinai where God gave his people his holy will. Moses wrote the first five books of the Old Testament. Elijah was the first of a whole series of prophets or spokesmen from God who proclaimed the Word of God to the Israelites. Moses and Elijah represent all of what was written in the Scriptures about the Savior who would not only keep God’s law perfectly, but die in the place of sinners. Believe in Jesus On Mount Calvary who died to pay the penalty of all your sins. Yes, you are forgiven!
The disciples were not able to connect the dots between the Mount of Transfiguration and Mount Calvary like you can. But, afterwhile they did. “To be sure, we were not following cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the powerful appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). Now it makes sense that the disciples who would run away in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was arrested, were the same disciples who were hyped up to put their lives on the line in order to proclaim Jesus to the world even to their worst enemies! They remembered the Jesus they saw on the cross is the same Jesus they saw in all his glory on the mountain and believed, one day, they would see him again in heaven.
Who’s your worst enemy? Do you think it’s Russia & China or Iran with their finger on the button of a nuclear missile? Do you think it’s the infiltration of the Cartel Drug lords or criminals crossing the southern boarder? Surely you’re not thinking of a boss or a co-worker or neighbor or relative! No! Our worst enemy is sin and temptations from the world, our sinful flesh and the devil. Our worst enemy attacks our hearts with worry, lust, substance abuse, bitterness, greed, jealousy and an unforgiving spirit. Because of our enemy of sin God has every right to punish us forever in hell. But, oh, what a day! You and I can confess, “I Believe the Savior who had the Power on the Mount of Transfiguration to save me on Mount Calvary!
Of all the miracles Jesus performed, our salvation is the greatest miracle. There were plenty of people in Jesus’ day who were looking for miracles—we heard about lines of people outside Peter’s house last week. After the disciples witnessed Jesus in all his glory, he wanted to be sure that people would believe in him for the right reasons. Jesus still had work to do so that people would Believe Jesus is the Savior from
Mount Zion
Let me explain what the term, “Mount Zion.” In Old Testament times Jerusalem was built on two hills, Moriah and Zion. Even though the temple, the symbol of God’s presence, was on Mount Moriah, Mount Zion became the name for the whole city and a term for God’s presence among his people. When Jesus rose from the dead he once again made full use of his divine power (exaltation). Jesus made it clear that he would always be with his disciples, “And surely I am with you always until the end of the age” (Matt 28:20). That’s why we can say that he rules on Mount Zion, which is Bible talk for the fact that he is with us every day.
We can take another look at the Mount of Transfiguration and what do we expect to see? God’s power and army of angels. However, Jesus was done showing his glory and Mark records, “8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus alone. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” If news about this glorious scene got out too soon, the people might be tempted to trust in Jesus only for their earthly needs (free food and shelter, glorious earthly kingdom, etc.). But, we also notice what Jesus said, “until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” That is, after his resurrection they could freely proclaim the power of Jesus they witnessed on the Mount of Transfiguration who now was the Ruler of Mount Zion. The disciples had the facts on what to say about who Jesus is and what he came to do, but where would they get the courage? From the fact that the resurrected Lord was always with them ruling all things for the eternal benefit of his people!
By the grace of God the glory of Christ revealed transfigured and hyped up Peter, James and John. The same promises and power of Jesus that filled the disciples with courage still transfigures our hearts and fills us with courage! Did you have a bad day and just feel like crying? Listen to the words spoken by Peter, one the disciples who saw Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration! “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Are you finding it difficult to choose to follow Christ and avoid sins like substance abuse, pornography, lying, and self-righteousness? Return to Jesus’ display of glory on the Mount of Transfiguration and hear another disciple, John, who saw Jesus’ glory encourage you, “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Are you walking through a dark and dangerous valley in life? Is it scary and lonely? Jesus’ power displayed on the Mount of Transfiguration is being used for us from Mount Zion when we hear God say, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Ps 23:4).
For some the World Soccer announcement or the Super Bowl is a big deal and they get all hyped up. For others, they could care less. For some Jesus revealing his glory on the Mount of Transfiguration is a big deal and others could care less. What’s it going to be for you? I pray that you treasure Jesus in all his glory on the Mount of Transfiguration, that you treasure the salvation won for you on Mount Calvary, and rest secure in Jesus’ rule over all things from Mount Zion. Stand with Peter, James, and John and be held close in the grace of Jesus Christ with the conviction and confidence to confess to everyone you meet, “I Believe in the True Savior On The Mountain!” Amen.
