February 23, 2020

The Mount of Transfiguration

Preacher:
Passage: Luke 9:28-36
Service Type:

Bible Text: Luke 9:28-36 | Preacher: Graham John | Series: Visiting Preachers | Introduction

Visiting a holy place – the mount of transfiguration

A unique event
Only one place in the New Testament described as holy – the Sacred Mount (as described by Peter)
We don’t know which mountain it is

What happened?

A real event

Peter refers to it in his second epistle

Overview

The disciples fell asleep as Jesus prayed

The disciples saw a vision of glory that overwhelmed them
The disciples suggested putting up 3 tents
The disciples heard the voice of God

The glory of God that was veiled was now visible

Partially, temporarily withdrawn
We are able to see part of His glory

Given a foretaste of the glory given to heaven

The glory that we will see
A preview, a taster of what is to come – of the joy given to Jesus

From this moment on Jesus will speak about the cross and His coming sufferings

Yet even though Jesus will associate with sin
God still delights in Him
An encouragement for the Lord Jesus Christ

The two saints standing with Christ reassure us of our heavenly future

How much do you value Jesus Christ?

The transfiguration shows the superiority of Christ over all

Greater than Abraham and Moses – explanation
Greater then Elijah and Enoch – explanation

Elijah and Moses do not stand as equals with Jesus Christ

This is the mistake Peter made – to construct 3 tents
Peter is rebuked by the voice from heaven

Moses and Elijah:

Need forgiveness (like we do)
Were servants that God was displeased in

Only in Jesus is God “well pleased”

There was to be an exodus, a departure of Christ
A great deliverance would take place [at the cross]

Jesus was Master but Moses and Elijah the servants

Jesus is the great High Priest – explanation
Their spiritual lives descend from Him – explanation

Jesus is not just a law giver or inspired prophet

He is the Beloved Son
He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords
He shines with the brilliance of the eternal Godhead
He alone can redeem our souls

There is a tendency in human nature to usurp the authority of Christ

But men are just men
We must not place any person above Christ

Hear Him

Obedience to Him must come before our experience of Him

Was he elevating his experience above his obedience to Jesus?

‘It is good to be here’
But Peter didn’t know what he was saying

It was to be a temporary experience
Clinging onto to the mountain top would delay the work of the Christ

cf. Matt 16

There is suffering, service and sacrifice to be done

Obedience to Him must come before our enjoyment of Him

A temporary existence and then the eternal glory
cf. John 17

We must keep listening to the words of Christ

To His Gospel
To His authority
To hear exposition of the Scriptures
Are you being moulded by the world or transformed by God’s will?

Are you hearing Him?

Closing Remarks