1. Introduction
1.1. When I was growing up, I thought for the longest time I would eventually join the army.
1.1.1. Part of that was because my dad was in the army and I'd hear all his stories and it painted this very romantic picture of "army" in my mind. Kind of like a kid thinking about being a spy, but for me it was being a soldier. There's was just something "cool" about it.
1.1.2. And of course that understanding of the "army" was fueled by the great Army commercials put out in the 80's, during my formulative adolescent years. Remember those, some of you ... "be, all you can be .. in the ARRRRRRR-MY!"
1.1.3. You watch those and man, they work! As a young kid - they inspire you to dream about this fantastic life as a soldier, right? You're driving tanks and repelling off helocoptors and wearing night vision goggles. Those commercial worked! ... at least they did on me.
1.1.4. So my senior year in high school, I started to apply for Westpoint, because that was my dream college. 4 years of schooling, fully paid for, and then 6 years in the army as an officer. So I took tests that measured my academic aptitude and tests that measured my physical aptitude and went through an interview to measure (somewhat) my pschological aptitude. In between those things were seminars and meetings and presentations about what it meant to be in the army, to be an officer, to attend Westpoint. ... and the more i heard, the more it reinforced the romantic picture I had painted ... and the more I wanted therefore to be a soldier.
1.2. Now eventually I didn't end up at Westpoint, and that's another story ... but it's fascinating to me, as i reflect back on that time thinking about this passage of ours, that never once, and wisely so, did the recruiters ever say to all of us applicants, and our parents "Today I want to show you what it is really like to be a soldier"
1.2.1. Never once did he pop in a VHS tape (ha!! whats that) and put on a movie like Saving Private Ryan!
1.2.2. Could you imagine - just the opening scene right. This is what it means to join the military. Ready. Play. Boats landing on Omaha, ramps lowering, and soldeirs gunned down before they can even get off. Bullets everywhere, exposions every where, blood everywhere. The movie pans to show a solider trying to get to a safe spot and he's carrying the his arm that's been blown off. A soldier's talking with his commander and a bullet goes through his head. The scene cuts over to another soldier, curled up behind some metal, in the fetal position plugging his ears as he's immobile with tears. Then you see a medic going around and all he can do is inject morphine into those that are shot so they can die in less pain. Then the star of the movie makes some comment that "All we can do here is die"... and then camera pans out after 20 minutes of chaos and death and all you see on the beach are dead bodies. More dead than alive. A lot more. .... but .. but... mission accomplished.
1.2.3. Could you imagine if that was the recruitment tool? how many woudl sign up? How many would hold romantic notions of waht it means to be a soldier? How many would continue to enlist?
2. Connection
2.1. I share all that because as we leave Mark chapter 8, that's the sense of what's happening.
2.1.1. The disciples has a vision of Messiah and followed Jesus from that vision
2.1.1.1. A vision shaped by Dan 7
2.1.1.1.1. Daniel 7:14 (ESV) — 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
2.1.1.2. A vision fueled by the experience of mark 1-8
2.1.2. The disciples finally make a confession of faith
2.1.3. Jesus tells them what is missing in their theology
2.1.3.1. Jesus says he must suffer, be rejected, and be killed. Then he will rise
2.1.3.1.1. Peter was committed to the glory but not the cross. He was committed to the exaltation but not the humiliation.
2.1.3.2. Jesus says if they want to follow him, they too must walk down a similiar path - deny self, cross, follow
2.2. So now what? How will the disciples move forward? It's like beign shown the movie.. now what?
3. Main Theme
3.1. Listen, there are seasons in our lives when God makes perfect sense. When what he does resonates with what we want or what we expect or what we can handle. But there's other times when being a Christian feels unbearable simply because life does not line up with what we think it should. How does God relate to us in those times? How does he disciple us? How does he bring us out of that? How does he work?
3.2. TITLE:
4. Main Points
4.1. #1 - God gets us alone (vs 2a)
4.1.1. exegete
4.1.1.1. Mark 9:2 (ESV) — 2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,
4.1.1.1.1. Note the intentionality here - "Jesus took with him..." - This is not an accident, this did not just happen. This Jesus purposefully doing this.
4.1.1.1.2. All the more impressive that he led them to a high mtn - Mt Hermon or likely Mt Tabor. Point is high, to be alone.
4.1.1.2. All in the ministry of Jesus we see this pattern that the more alone you were with Jesus the more you saw, the more you hear, the more is explained to you
4.1.1.2.1. Jairus daughter's healing
4.1.1.2.2. Last supper
4.1.1.2.3. Garden of Gethsemane
4.1.1.2.4. Here - mt of transfiguration
4.1.1.3. Same in the old testament, in fact, ironic especially true of these two guys Moses and Elijah
4.1.1.3.1. Moses - burning bush after time , Exo 3
4.1.1.3.2. Elijah - cave, 1 Kings 19
4.1.1.3.3. in both cases, at end of themselves, end of their dreams, much like the disciples
4.1.1.4. Jesus did this
4.1.1.4.1. Luke 5:15–16 (ESV) — 15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
4.1.1.5. it's here, in this moment of solitude that God comes
4.1.2. Application
4.1.2.1. So too for us. God will often meet us in moments of discouragement and bewilderment by getting us alone.
4.1.2.1.1. Alone from people perhaps
4.1.2.1.2. But alone from all our comfort, all the things we rely on.
4.1.2.2. Why?
4.1.2.2.1. Cause here we have nothing to do but listen
4.1.2.2.2. “Your religion is what you do with your solitude.” Keller quoting Archibishop William Temple
4.1.2.3. This is why it's so uncomfortable, so hard.
4.1.2.3.1. ILL: World's quietest room, Minn, 3.3 ft thick fiberglass walls, no noise but your own heartbeat .. max 45mins, hallucinations
4.1.2.3.2. we are a people that live in the middle - we don't do cmty well typically and we don't do alone well typically.
4.1.2.3.3. Bonhoefer
4.1.2.4. But its in these moment of alone we can hear, see, learn
4.1.2.4.1. Edwards - Jonathan Edwards speaks of this very thing in his own practice of meditation: In reading [the Scripture] I seemed often to see so much light, that I could not get along in reading — almost every sentence seemed to be full of wonders. … I … found, from time to time, an inward sweetness, that used, as it were, to carry me away in my contemplations. I felt alone … sweetly conversing with Christ, and wrapped and swallowed up in God. The sense I had of divine things, would often of a sudden as it were, kindle up a sweet burning in my heart; an ardor of my soul, that I know not how to express. …
4.2. #2 - God shows us more of Himself (vs 2b-3)
4.2.1. Exegete
4.2.1.1. Mark 9:2b-3 (ESV) — And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.
4.2.1.1.1. Transfigured - metamorsphis, changed, transformed
4.2.1.1.2. What did that look like?
4.2.1.2. The answer to the harsh reality of his plan and his call was what? Himself.
4.2.1.2.1. “One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple” (Ps. 27:4)
4.2.1.2.2. “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8)
4.2.1.2.3. J. C. Ryle once preached a sermon called “Christ Is All” based on Colossians 3:11. In it he said: But alas, how little fit for heaven are many who talk of ‘going to heaven’ when they die, while they manifestly have no saving faith, and no real acquaintance with Christ. You give Christ no honor here. You have no communion with Him. You do not love Him. Alas! what could you do in heaven? It would be no place for you. Its joys would be no joys for you. Its happiness would be a happiness into which you could not enter. Its employments would be a weariness and burden to your heart. Oh, repent and change before it be too late!
4.2.2. Application
4.2.2.1. Are we looking for answers or are we looking for God? Because what God is often doing is not giving us answers, but giving himself.
4.2.2.1.1. Peace comes through knowing he is sovereign, in control
4.2.2.1.2. Comfort comes
4.3. #3 - God brings confirmation He's in control (v 4)
4.4. #4 - God takes us back to his word (vs 5-8)
4.4.1. 2 Peter 1:16 - a sure word
4.5. #5 - God speaks the truth
5. MISC
5.1. ILL: Ten Boom - father, suitcase, too much to carry
5.2. Cross - stumbling block to the jews
5.3. This is Sinai again
5.3.1. cloud
5.3.2. God speaks
5.3.3. Glory and brightness
5.3.3.1. Moses reflects it, Jesus is it
5.3.3.2. Heb 1;3 - he is the radiance of thhsi glory
5.3.3.3. meaning for all tha tis good about God, glorisou about god, wonderful about God, tis' Jesus.
5.4. CS Lewis - cupboard - path to Narnia
5.5. The Greeks honored a pantheon of heroes who, because of their great achievements, were promoted to heaven without dying. The term used to describe this was apotheosis, the making of mortals into gods. Edwards Jr., James R. (2009-10-05). The Gospel according to Mark (Pillar New Testament Commentary) (Kindle Locations 5053-5054). Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition.
6. Exegete
6.1. The transformation
6.1.1. Mark 9:2 (ESV) — 2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,
6.1.1.1. General notes
6.1.1.1.1. Peter, James and John - always prominent in mark and might give good evidence this was written from Peter's perspective
6.1.1.1.2. After six days
6.1.1.1.3. transfigured
6.1.1.1.4. mt hermon / mt tabor
6.1.1.2. POINTS
6.1.1.2.1. We have another meeting, that is private and small, and in Mark, as in the gospel, that always meant deeper revelation (parables, jairus daughter)
6.1.1.2.2. he was transfigured before them
6.1.2. Mark 9:2b-3 (ESV) — And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.
6.1.2.1. what is the point of "no one on earth".. to show thsi was a divine event
6.1.2.2. Matthew 17:2 (ESV) — 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
6.2. Jesus, Moses, Elijah
6.2.1. Mark 9:4 (ESV) — 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
6.2.1.1. God meets Jesus and fortifies him for the journey to the cross
6.2.1.2. QUOTE: "All of life is a journey to the cross" - Tim Keller
6.2.1.2.1. both to believe but also to follow
6.2.1.3. But also a reinforcement for the disciples
6.2.1.3.1. A visual peak to what Jesu ssays at the end of mark 8
6.2.1.4. Luke tells us they spoke of the time of departure, which he was about to bring to fullment in jerualem (Luke 9:31)
6.2.1.5. Why tehse?
6.2.1.5.1. Law and prohpet - yes. Likely.
6.2.1.5.2. Only period miracles existed
6.2.1.5.3. In only one passage do Elijah and Moses appear together before the Day of Yahweh. In Mal 4: 4-6, Israel is commanded to remember the "instruction" (Heb. torah) of God's servant Moses. Immediately following, Elijah is introduced as the prophet who turns the hearts of people to repentance on the Day of Yahweh. The appearance of Moses and Elijah in the transfiguration narrative likely recalls this passage and their prophetic roles as joint preparers of the final Prophet to come (so Deut 18: 15, 18 [see also 4Q175, lines 5-8]; Mal 4: 5-6). Their joint preparation for Jesus is further signified by Mark's description of them "talking with Jesus"; that is, they hold an audience with Jesus as a superior. Edwards Jr., James R. (2009-10-05). The Gospel according to Mark (Pillar New Testament Commentary) (Kindle Locations 4941-4946). Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition.
6.3. Stay focus on jesus
6.3.1. Mark 9:5–8 (ESV) — 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.
6.3.1.1. "rabbi" - strange as Peter has just confessed him as Christ.
6.3.1.2. why build these tents?
6.3.1.2.1. Feast of tabernacles? (Lev 23:39)?
6.3.1.2.2. setup messianic headquarters?
6.3.1.2.3. Prolong the moment?
6.3.1.2.4. key is - mark says vs 6 "for he did not know what to say for they were terrified"
6.3.1.3. Centrality of Christ
6.3.1.3.1. Jesus alone is left
6.3.1.3.2. Listen to him
6.3.1.3.3. Though great leaders come and goes,t eh poitn is that the greatest need we have is not found int hem, but in jesus.
6.3.1.4. "beloved" - whom I love
6.3.1.4.1. Baptism - You are - to Jesus
6.3.1.4.2. Here, this is - to the disciplse
6.3.1.5. tell no one - 9 times, and this is the last one and only one that has a condition on it
6.4. Exposition coming down the mtn
6.4.1. Mark 9:9–13 (ESV) — 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 12 And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”
6.4.1.1. Do you know what he’s saying? In the book of Malachi it’s told that Elijah would return before the great day of the Lord. The great day of the Lord was the time in which God would appear and make everything right. They say, “Hey, we just saw Elijah up there. Elijah is here. The day of the Lord. Take over, Jesus. So what’s up with all this suffering talk? You don’t need to suffer. Elijah is here; take over.” Jesus just lays them flat. What does Jesus say? He says, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.” Keller, T. J. (2013). The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive. New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
6.4.1.2. Do you know what he’s saying? He says, “Hey, the new Elijah was John the Baptist, and he has come, and he suffered and died. I am the new Moses, and I’m not just going to lead the people out of political bondage like the old Moses; I’m going to deliver from sin and death itself. But I have to suffer.” What he’s saying to us … When he says, “O slow of heart to believe, O foolish generation,” he’s talking to me, I know. He’s certainly talking to you. He’s talking to his disciples. He’s talking to all of us. **** He’s saying, “Why isn’t suffering in your program? Anytime suffering comes up, the idea that to follow me means you’re going to have to suffer, you just freak out. In this world you will have tribulations, and the only way I could come into this ‘tribulational’ world and save it is to go through suffering to greatness. I’m here,” says Jesus, “going through suffering to greatness, and if you want to follow me, you will have to go through suffering to greatness. Keller, T. J. (2013). The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive. New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
6.4.1.3. Eschatalogical triumphalism is a good way to miss the cross!
6.5. Demon at the bottom
6.5.1. Suffering to the cross... evil all around us ... how do we process that? Handle that? How odes the transfiguration help in that ?
7. Application
7.1. How do we handle suffering? By moments of revelation
7.1.1. Most of life is not clear. We wake up, we live, and mostly in the rear view we process. Int eh present we often respond.
7.1.2. The key to the journey to the cross is the transfiguration. Seeing Jesus. Remember that. There will be days it will seem lost, pointless. He will look like just a man. You will doubt. You will reject.
7.1.2.1. Isa says he was marred beyond recogniztion
7.1.2.2. But remember - thisis what wyou follow!
7.1.3. Earthly life cannot be all heavenly visions. Sometimes the memory fades, and one may doubt if it was real. Was it all a mirage or a hallucination? The words of our Lord remain constant, however. One must continue to listen to Jesus, whose words are able to sustain us when tingling visionary moments have grown dim. Garland, David E. (2011-03-01). Mark (The NIV Application Commentary Book 2) (p. 351). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
7.2. Comfort is found in that final vindication will come and that Jesus will be glorious (and those with him)
7.3. Jesus is God's son, greater than any prophet (as thought by the people)
7.3.1. forgives sins (Mark 2:10)
7.3.2. lord of the sabbath (2:28)
7.3.3. enthroned at right hand (14:62)
7.3.4. comes in clouds with power and glory (13:26)
7.4. God knows what we need for the journey
7.4.1. matt tells us they were sleeping. Why? Tired? Perhaps. But elsewhere. sleeping. Why in the garden? Sorrow
7.5. God provides what we need -
7.5.1. See jesus for who he is
7.5.2. See moses and elijah talking about the same thing Jesus is talking about, so for these Jews, this is to say it's in the plan.
7.6. Glory and death are intertwined in the Christian life, suffering is no incompatible with glory
7.6.1. mark 8 - the call to follow and it's rewards
7.6.2. compare this and the cross
7.6.2.1. here itis private glory , then (cross) it is public humiliation
7.6.2.2. here Jesus has 2 prophets, then two theives
7.6.2.3. Here jesus garment is glorious, then it is robbed, ripped, naked
7.6.2.4. Here voice from cloud declare him as son of God, then only a roman soldier will say it. Even God will be silent
7.6.3. the suffering of Messiah will be far greater than imagined, but so will his glory
7.6.3.1. “For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power” (2 Cor. 13: 4). Garland, David E. (2011-03-01). Mark (The NIV Application Commentary Book 2) (p. 350). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
7.6.4. OVer next sections, disciples are concerned with glory but jesus with suffering
7.6.4.1. 9:28 - power over unclean spirits
7.6.4.2. to be great 9:34
7.6.4.3. to control others 9:38; 10:13
7.6.4.4. reward for following (10:28)
7.6.4.5. sit on left and right (10:37)
7.6.5. heart his you who suffer! it's not invain. It's producing in you a weight of glory.
7.6.5.1. 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 (ESV) — 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
7.6.5.2. John Bunyan, in Pilgrim’s Progress, said that Christ, in the flesh, had his country house in the valley of humiliation. In moments of failure and opposition one can easily fall prey to despair. Remembering the times when we experienced truth emblazoned before us like a bright gleaming light can carry us through the dark times when faith is challenged from within and without. Garland, David E. (2011-03-01). Mark (The NIV Application Commentary Book 2) (p. 350). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
7.6.5.3. Romans 8:16–17 (ESV) — 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
7.7. The importance of his word
7.7.1. What they need to hear when they come off the mountain and reenter the everyday realm is the requirement of suffering— the way of the cross and death. The biblical heroes vanish from sight. The splendor fades. The voice of God falls silent except as God speaks through the Son. Visions come and go, but his word remains. On the mountain they get a brief glimpse of Jesus’ resplendent glory, but they are too dazed by the sights to understand fully. Garland, David E. (2011-03-01). Mark (The NIV Application Commentary Book 2) (p. 349). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
7.7.2. even more than this vision - 2 Peter 1:16–21 (ESV) — 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.