The Transfiguration

2002031

Topic # 1024

Introduction:

A. Mt. 15:21-28 – Syrophoenician woman. Heals daughter of demon possession. Then…leaves Tyre.

1. Mt. 15:29 – heads back along the Sea of Galilee. Feeds 4000 here.

2. 15:39 – then heads across the SOG to Magdala. (West side of SOG.)

3. Here He tested by the Pharisees. 16:4-5 – leaves & goes away to other side of the sea. See also Mk. 8:13.

4. 16:13 – Jesus travels N to Caesarea-Philippi.

a) Peter’s confession…

b) Must have been on an extreme high!

B. 16:21 – Jesus began to foretell His death.

1. 16:22 – must have been a huge blow to Peter & rest of apostles – b/c He rebukes Jesus! 16:23 – to which Jesus responds….

2. Then…16:24-28.

a) Note He says He would come and render each one according to his deeds.

b) Some would not taste death until the Son of God was coming in His kingdom. …until the kingdom of God would come w/power. …until the kingdom of God.

3. Then…6 days of silence. Not recorded as to what happened during that week. Lk. Says 8 days. (Explain difference.)

a) 17:1 – Jesus takes them (Peter/James/John) on high mountain. Luke says their purpose was to pray.

b) 17:2; Mk. 9:2 – He was transfigured before them.

C. Imagine…if you were Peter, James or John!

1. How incredible this must have been to three former fishermen from Galilee!

2. The events here burned images in their minds that would last the rest of their lives. Peter mentions the xfiguration in 2 Peter 1:16-18.

a) Note…they were eyewitnesses of His glory!

b) Jesus received glory/honor from God the Father.

D. Today, we will discuss the significance of this event. What is it?

I. A look at the transfiguration itself.

A. Mt. 17:2; Mk. 9:2 – He was “transfigured.”

1. Gk…metamorphoo. “To change the appearance or form.”

2. What exactly this change was – we are not told.

3. Lk. 9:29; Mt. 17:2 – His face shone as the sun.

a) Reminds us of Moses – Ex. 34:29-30 – his face glowed after being w/God.

b) Heb. 1:3- NT says Christ is the radiance of God’s glory…His deity.

4. Note...His clothing was affected as well.

a) White as light (Mt. 17:2) exceedingly white as no launderer on earth can whiten them. (Mk. 9:3) white and glistening. (Lk. 9:29)

B. Elijah & Moses appear – talking to Jesus. Mt. 17:2; Mk. 9:4

1. Lk. 9:31 – they appear in glory.

2. He also gives us the topic of their conversation – the imminent death of Jesus. 9:31b.

a) It is speculated that these events too place in middle of night – and that Jesus went off alone to pray – leaving disciples.

b) They fall asleep 9:32a. Jesus returns …

c) Imagine waking up & seeing Jesus in His glory – talking w/Moses & Elijah.

3. Use of “behold” in Matthew’s account indicates the suddenness and unexpectedness of the event.

4. How did they know it was Moses and Elijah?

a) Maybe it was how they were dressed which immediately identified them.

b) Or they might have overheard it in the conversation between Jesus and the men He was talking to.

C. Why Moses & Elijah?

1. Moses/Elijah were the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

2. Elijah taken w/o dying & was considered to be the forerunner of the Christ.

3. Moses gave the law.

D. Lk. 9:33 – when Peter sees Moses & Elijah disappearing – he wants to prolong their visit and makes a suggestion.

1. No doubt he was impressed by what he saw.

2. In his mind – Jesus had been elevated to same level as Moses/Elijah.

3. He was about to learn an important lesson: Jesus is above Moses & Elijah.

a) Jesus was and IS THE authority!

II. Literally, they beheld the majesty of His coming kingdom.

A. Mt. 17:5; Lk. 9:34

1. Literally… (The cloud) spread over them. This was a symbol of divine presence.

a) Remember Ex. 14:19-20 – God went b/f Israel in a cloudy pillar.

b) Appeared to Moses on Sinai on cloud bright w/fire.

2. No wonder they were frightened.

B. God says, This = My Beloved Son.

1. 2^nd time that God had described His pleasure in Jesus in such a dynamic way. See also 3:16-17.

2. Peter/James/John needed to know they were to honor Jesus more than any other.

3. Even more than Moses & Elijah.

4. Needed to strengthen their faith in Jesus. From here it should have been impossible for them to doubt He was the Son of God.

C. God says, hear Him!

1. This implies that God would b/g to speak through Jesus – not the Law or the Prophets. See Heb. 1:1-2

2. Jesus would have all authority…Mt. 28:18-20. This would take place after His death & resurrection.

3. 17:6 – reaction of the disciples. Literally…”panic stricken.” 17:7 – they were comforted by Jesus.

D. After this, only Jesus present. 17:8; Mk. 9:8. Instructed to tell no one of what happened. 17:9.

III. The Significance of this event.

A. Remember Jesus’ statement in 16:28…

1. Some would see the Son of Man “coming in His kingdom.”

2. Some would see the Kingdom of God “present with power.”

3. Some would see the Kingdom of God – or His rule.

B. Peter/James/John see a foretaste of his rule here & would live to see His resurrection and ascension into heaven. These men would play a central role in carrying out God’s plan in establishing the church.

1. Peter would testify to the role of Jesus – 1 Peter. 3:22

2. Paul echoes – Eph. 1:20-23

3. Jesus will continue to rule until the day He judges the world. Back to Mt. 16:27. See also Acts 17:30-31.

C. What Peter/James/John saw that day forever shaped them as they worked in the FC church.

1. 2 Peter 1:17-18

2. John 1:14 – we saw His glory…

Conclusion:

A. What does God expect of us today?

1. Not tabernacles or temples erected in memory of His Son…

2. But for us to simply obey what God said on the mountain – HEAR HIM!

B. Have you submitted yourself to Christ? Are you giving Jesus the honor & glory that He so richly deserves?

1. Jhn. 14:6

2. Obey the gospel!

3. Submit to His authority! Remember…he will judge the living & the dead!

C. I N V I T A T I O N



The Transfiguration 2002031 Topic # 1024 Introduction: A. Mt. 15:21-28 – Syrophoenician woman. Heals daughter of demon possession. Then…leaves Tyre. 1. Mt. 15:29 – heads back along the Sea of Galilee. Feeds 4000 here. 2. 15:39 – then heads across the SOG to Magdala. (West side of SOG.) 3. Here He tested by the Pharisees. 16:4-5 – leaves & goes away to other side of the sea. See also Mk. 8:13. 4. 16:13 – Jesus travels N to Caesarea-Philippi. a) Peter’s confession… b) Must have been on an extreme high! B. 16:21 – Jesus began to foretell His death. 1. 16:22 – must have been a huge blow to Peter & rest of apostles – b/c He rebukes Jesus! 16:23 – to which Jesus responds…. 2. Then…16:24-28. a) Note He says He would come and render each one according to his deeds. b) Some would not taste death until the Son of God was coming in His kingdom. …until the kingdom of God would come w/power. …until the kingdom of God. 3. Then…6 days of silence. Not recorded as to what happened during that week. Lk. Says 8 days. (Explain difference.) a) 17:1 – Jesus takes them (Peter/James/John) on high mountain. Luke says their purpose was to pray. b) 17:2; Mk. 9:2 – He was transfigured before them. C. Imagine…if you were Peter, James or John! 1. How incredible this must have been to three former fishermen from Galilee! 2. The events here burned images in their minds that would last the rest of their lives. Peter mentions the xfiguration in 2 Peter 1:16-18. a) Note…they were eyewitnesses of His glory! b) Jesus received glory/honor from God the Father. D. Today, we will discuss the significance of this event. What is it? I. A look at the transfiguration itself. A. Mt. 17:2; Mk. 9:2 – He was “transfigured.” 1. Gk…metamorphoo. “To change the appearance or form.” 2. What exactly this change was – we are not told. 3. Lk. 9:29; Mt. 17:2 – His face shone as the sun. a) Reminds us of Moses – Ex. 34:29-30 – his face glowed after being w/God. b) Heb. 1:3- NT says Christ is the radiance of God’s glory…His deity. 4. Note...His clothing was affected as well. a) White as light (Mt. 17:2) exceedingly white as no launderer on earth can whiten them. (Mk. 9:3) white and glistening. (Lk. 9:29) B. Elijah & Moses appear – talking to Jesus. Mt. 17:2; Mk. 9:4 1. Lk. 9:31 – they appear in glory. 2. He also gives us the topic of their conversation – the imminent death of Jesus. 9:31b. a) It is speculated that these events too place in middle of night – and that Jesus went off alone to pray – leaving disciples. b) They fall asleep 9:32a. Jesus returns … c) Imagine waking up & seeing Jesus in His glory – talking w/Moses & Elijah. 3. Use of “behold” in Matthew’s account indicates the suddenness and unexpectedness of the event. 4. How did they know it was Moses and Elijah? a) Maybe it was how they were dressed which immediately identified them. b) Or they might have overheard it in the conversation between Jesus and the men He was talking to. C. Why Moses & Elijah? 1. Moses/Elijah were the essence of the Law and the Prophets. 2. Elijah taken w/o dying & was considered to be the forerunner of the Christ. 3. Moses gave the law. D. Lk. 9:33 – when Peter sees Moses & Elijah disappearing – he wants to prolong their visit and makes a suggestion. 1. No doubt he was impressed by what he saw. 2. In his mind – Jesus had been elevated to same level as Moses/Elijah. 3. He was about to learn an important lesson: Jesus is above Moses & Elijah. a) Jesus was and IS THE authority! II. Literally, they beheld the majesty of His coming kingdom. A. Mt. 17:5; Lk. 9:34 1. Literally… (The cloud) spread over them. This was a symbol of divine presence. a) Remember Ex. 14:19-20 – God went b/f Israel in a cloudy pillar. b) Appeared to Moses on Sinai on cloud bright w/fire. 2. No wonder they were frightened. B. God says, This = My Beloved Son. 1. 2^nd time that God had described His pleasure in Jesus in such a dynamic way. See also 3:16-17. 2. Peter/James/John needed to know they were to honor Jesus more than any other. 3. Even more than Moses & Elijah. 4. Needed to strengthen their faith in Jesus. From here it should have been impossible for them to doubt He was the Son of God. C. God says, hear Him! 1. This implies that God would b/g to speak through Jesus – not the Law or the Prophets. See Heb. 1:1-2 2. Jesus would have all authority…Mt. 28:18-20. This would take place after His death & resurrection. 3. 17:6 – reaction of the disciples. Literally…”panic stricken.” 17:7 – they were comforted by Jesus. D. After this, only Jesus present. 17:8; Mk. 9:8. Instructed to tell no one of what happened. 17:9. III. The Significance of this event. A. Remember Jesus’ statement in 16:28… 1. Some would see the Son of Man “coming in His kingdom.” 2. Some would see the Kingdom of God “present with power.” 3. Some would see the Kingdom of God – or His rule. B. Peter/James/John see a foretaste of his rule here & would live to see His resurrection and ascension into heaven. These men would play a central role in carrying out God’s plan in establishing the church. 1. Peter would testify to the role of Jesus – 1 Peter. 3:22 2. Paul echoes – Eph. 1:20-23 3. Jesus will continue to rule until the day He judges the world. Back to Mt. 16:27. See also Acts 17:30-31. C. What Peter/James/John saw that day forever shaped them as they worked in the FC church. 1. 2 Peter 1:17-18 2. John 1:14 – we saw His glory… Conclusion: A. What does God expect of us today? 1. Not tabernacles or temples erected in memory of His Son… 2. But for us to simply obey what God said on the mountain – HEAR HIM! B. Have you submitted yourself to Christ? Are you giving Jesus the honor & glory that He so richly deserves? 1. Jhn. 14:6 2. Obey the gospel! 3. Submit to His authority! Remember…he will judge the living & the dead! C. I N V I T A T I O N