Seeing the Light… vs. 1-3

• 1^st – Up the Mountain… vs. 1
  • Six Days…
    • Now after six days!
    • As Jesus concluding His teaching at Caesarea Philippi [take up our cross]
    • Emphasizing that the reason why men did NOT want to give up everything for God…
    • Is because they did NOT see Jesus coming in all His GLORY – Revelation 19:16
    • He said SOME of them would NOT die until they saw the Lord in His GLORY…
    • They did NOT have to wait long – only SIX days!
    • When God promises us something – we want it to happen now…
    • And SOMETIMES He might give us an answer in less than a week [6 days]
    • But the timing of the Lord is NOT for us to decide – we are called to WAIT on Him!
    • II Peter 3:8 – “With the Lord one day is as a thousand years – a thousand years as one day.”
  • Special Disciples…
    • Jesus took Peter – James – and his brother John!
    • Only THREE of the TWELVE disciples were allowed to go with Jesus [not the only time]
    • They were also there when Jesus revived the daughter of Jairus – Matthew 9:25
    • Only they went with Jesus when He prayed in Gethsemane – Matthew 26:37
    • This leads many to believe these disciples were SPECIAL – SUPER disciples…
    • And when we look at how God used them in the book of Acts – that seems to fit…
    • Peter stood up on the day of Pentecost – THREE thousand were saved – Acts 2:41
    • Peter and John healed the lame man – FIVE thousand were saved – Acts 4:4
    • But they were NOT better than the rest – they were more TROUBLE…
    • James and John were called the Sons of Thunder – should we call down fire – Luke 9:54 
    • As we will see Peter tended to speak first – then think – always getting him into trouble…
    • Jesus ALWAYS had these three with Him – because He was afraid to leave them alone!
    • We look at the men God uses – and we think they must be BETTER…
    • But the truth is God uses SPECIAL [not in a good way] men – He picks the FOOLISH… 
    • Which is a HUGE encouragement – because that means He can use us! 
    • I Corinthians 1:27 – “God has chosen the foolish things of the world.”
  • Mount Hermon…
    • Led them up on a high mountain by themselves!
    • There is some debate over the location of this mountain…
    • Mount Tabor in the Megiddo valley is traditionally known as the Mount of Transfiguration…
    • But it is a LONG ways away [100 kilometers] – and it is NOT a tall mountain [575 meters]
    • In contrast – Caesarea Philippi sits at the bast of Mount Hermon [2814 meters]
• 2^nd – Light of the World… vs. 2
  • Transformed…
    • [Jesus] He was transfigured before them.
    • His face shone like the sun – and His clothes became as white as the light!
    • When they got to the TOP of the mountain – Jesus was TRANSFORMED…
    • TRANSFORMED [μεταμορφόω] – 4x in NT – to be CHANGED
    • Jesus – who humbled Himself and took on the form of a man – Philippians 2:7
    • Was suddenly revealed in all of His true GLORY – God almighty…
    • His face was as bright as the SUN – His clothes as white as LIGHT – Revelation 1:16
    • The reason why we see COLORS – is because of imperfections…
    • Therefore – anything that appears as WHITE had NO imperfections – Mark 9:3
  • Only Light…
    • God created LIGHT on the first day of creation – Genesis 1:3
    • But the sun and the moon were not created until day FOUR – Jesus was the LIGHT!
    • In the BEGINNING – Jesus was the source of LIGHT that filled the universe…
    • In the END – Jesus will again be the source of LIGHT in the New Jerusalem – Revelation 21:23
    • Jesus is also the LIGHT today – He is the one who shows us how to WALK!
    • John 8:12 – “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness.”
  • We are the Moon…
    • The moon is a just a large dead rock – it gives off no light…
    • If the world comes between the sun and the moon – it stays dark…
    • But when the moon looks at the sun – it is transformed…
    • It reflects the light of the sun for the whole world to see!
    • We choose daily what we fill our minds with – by choosing what we watch…
    • What do we fill our heads and hearts with – this world – or with the Word…
    • As we are full of Jesus – we shine as a light of Jesus for all to see!
    • Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world – but be transformed [μεταμορφόω] by the renewing of your mind.”
• 3^rd – Law and Prophets… vs. 3
  • Behold – Moses and Elijah appeared to them – talking with Him!
  • There were TWO men who met with Jesus there on the MOUNTAIN…
  • MOSES – who wrote the first FIVE books of the Bible known as the LAW [תּוֹרָה]
  • ELIJAH – was the most famous PROPHET in the history of Israel – never died – II Kings 2:11
  • Likely the same TWO men who will be the TWO witness in the TRIBULATION – Revelation 11:3
  • Together they represent the TESTIMONY of the LAW and the PROPHETS [Old Testament]
  • No doubt talking with Jesus about all of the THINGS written about HIM!
  • Luke 24:44 – “All things must be fulfilled that were written in the Law of Moses and the 
    Prophets… concerning Me.”
  • When the RICH man died – He asked Abraham to send back Lazarus to warn his family…
  • But Abraham told him – even if Lazarus was resurrected – they would NOT believe!
  • Luke 16:29 – “They have Moses and the prophets. Let them hear them!”
    
  • Do NOT underestimate the POWER of giving people the GOSPEL…
  • It is NOT our words that will convince sinners they need to be saved…
  • It is the POWER of the WORD – that can crack even the HARDEST of hearts!
  • Romans 1:16 – “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ – for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”

• 2^nd – Being a Light… vs. 4-8
  • 1^st – Mountain top… vs. 4
    • Sleepy…
      • Luke 9:32 – “Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep.”
      • Luke adds this little detail that helps explain the response of Peter…
      • Apparently it was quite a HIKE up to the top of the mountain…
      • So when they got there – they all took a little NAP…
      • And what woke them up was the TRANSFORMATION of Jesus!
    • Nervous…
      • Then Peter answered and said to Jesus!
      • PETER [Πέτρος] – Living up to his name [ROCK]
      • Was a little slow [and sleepy] to figure out what was going on – so felt the need to SPEAK…
      • There was NO question asked – it just felt awkward – so decided he needed to TALK!
      • Mark 9:6 – “Because he did not know what to say – for they were greatly afraid.”
      • Ever been in a place where you did NOT belong – and felt VERY uncomfortable…
      • I was on an overnight train from Kiev to Moscow…
      • We saw someone walk by with a SODA – and we went to hunt down were they got it…
      • We ended up in the wrong car [Russian mafia] – awkwardly asked for a PEPSI [they laughed]
    • Three Tabernacles…
      • Lord it is good for us to be here. If You wish – I will make [MGNT] here three tabernacles:
      • One for You – one for Moses – and one for Elijah!
      • Peter wanted to STAY on the MOUNTAIN…
      • HE would build THREE tents – so HE could be there in the PRESENCE of God!
      • Things do NOT grow very well on HIGH mountains…
      • High mountains are barren on top – things grow best in the valleys!
      • Life if full of mountains and valleys – ups and downs – good times and bad…
      • When we get to the mountain TOP – we do NOT want to leave…
      • We want to set up a few of TENTS – and just hang out in the good times…
      • But God does NOT call us to HANG out – He calls us to STEP out in faith – II Corinthians 5:7
      • That likely means when we leave the mountain – we will end up in a VALLEY…
      • But it is in the VALLEYS [the HARD times] we will GROW and become a LIGHT! 
      • II Corinthians 12:10 – “For when I am weak – then I am strong.”
  • 2^nd – Listen to Jesus… vs. 5
    • Well Pleased…
      • While [Peter] was still speaking – behold a bright cloud overshadowed them.
      • Suddenly a voice came out of the cloud saying:
      • This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!
      • Peter was CUT off by the VOICE of the FATHER coming from a CLOUD filled with LIGHT…
      • Saying: He LOVED [ἀγαπητός] Jesus – and was PLEASED [εὐδοκέω] with Him – Matthew 3:17
      • God was PLEASED because Jesus was willing to be the SACRIFICE to save us…
      • Because the dilemma was – God was NOT pleased by ANY other sacrifice!
      • Hebrews 10:6 – “In… sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure [εὐδοκέω].”
    • Listen…
      • Therefore – the FATHER gave the command – that they were to LISTEN [imperative] to Jesus…
      • Because Jesus did NOT take Peter and the boys up the mountain to HEAR from them…
      • He took them up them up the mountain because He had something to SAY to them!
      • People tend to think of PRAYER as a time to TELL God all their problems…
      • They come with a long LIST – that they read off to the LORD…
      • Yet often we are TALKING when we should be LISTENING…
      • There is NOTHING we have to say – that God does NOT already know…
      • But there is a LOT that God has to say – that we REALLY need to hear…
      • And if we are willing to be QUIET – and LISTEN – we will never be the same!
  • 3^rd – Do not fear… vs. 6-8
    • Fearful… vs. 6
      • When the disciples heard it – they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid!
      • The moment the DISCIPLES heard the VOICE – they were absolutely TERRIFIED!
      • What will people say when they STAND before God – Revelation 20:11
      • They might think they will argue – they were a GOOD person…
      • Or they might try and justify themselves through their RELIGION…
      • But the truth is – when they will fall down SILENT before a HOLY God – Matthew 22:12
    • Look to Jesus… vs. 7-8
      • Jesus came and touched them and said: Arise and do not be afraid.
      • When they had lifted up their eyes – they saw no one but Jesus only!
      • But Jesus came over and put His hand on them – COMFORTING them…
      • Then commanded them to STAND [imperative] – and NOT be afraid…
      • And when they looked up – they ONLY saw Jesus!
      • There are going to be times in life when we are AFRAID…
      • Our circumstances are going to be BEYOND what we are capable of handling…
      • But if we are willing to LOOK to Jesus – all FEAR disappears…
      • It melts away in the face of a GOD for whom NOTHING is impossible – I John 4:18

• 3^rd – Understanding the Light… vs. 9-13
  • 1^st – Confused… vs. 9
    • Tell no one…
      • Now as they came down from the mountain Jesus commanded them saying:
      • Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead!
      • As they worked their way down the mountain – Jesus gave the THREE a command…
      • They were NOT to tell ANYONE [subjunctive] the VISION they had seen…
      • VISION [ὅραμα] – only here in Gospels – something SEEN [ὁράω] with the eyes…
      • Until AFTER Jesus had been RAISED from the dead!
    • Preach to Everyone…
      • Peter and the boys did NOT say anything about what they SAW…
      • Because they did NOT yet understand what Jesus was talking about!
      • Mark 9:10 – “They kept… questioning what the rising from the dead meant.”
      • But once the FULL Gospel was known – AFTER Jesus was risen…
      • Then they did go out and tell EVERYONE what they had SEEN!
      • II Peter 1:18 – “[We] were eyewitnesses… we heard [the] voice which came from heaven.”
      • We have the whole TRUTH – we know WHO Jesus is [God almighty]
      • And we understand WHY Jesus came – to DIE for our SINS…
      • Therefore we should NOT hold back the TRUTH – we should also tell EVERYONE!
  • 2^nd – Words of Men… vs. 10
    • The Scribes…
      • His disciples asked Him saying: Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?
      • Having just seen Jesus in all of His GLORY – there were NO doubt He was the CHRIST…
      • The DISCIPLES had a question – what about ELIJAH…
      • They had been taught by the SCRIBES [γραμματεύς] – ELIJAH had to come FIRST [πρῶτον]
      • It is interesting that they did NOT quote the BIBLE – they quoted MEN….
      • It suggests that they did NOT know the WORD – only what they had been TOLD!
    • No Power…
      • A number of years ago – there was a popular book called: the Purpose driven life…
      • Churches were hopping on board – and doing study groups going through the book…
      • I must admit to NOT being a fan – the book was NOT the problem…
      • ANY book the replaces the Bible as the source of TRUTH is dangerous!
      • It is IMPORTANT that we KNOW what the BIBLE says…
      • Because if all we have is what a PERSON – or a PASTOR – said…
      • Then we are putting out FAITH in the words of MEN – rather than the word of GOD…
      • And the result [much like the disciples] is that we will be CONFUSED!
  • 3^rd – Word of God… vs. 11-13
    • The answer… vs. 11
      • Jesus answered and said to them: Indeed Elijah is coming first and will restore all things!
      • Jesus did NOT answer by quoting what MEN said – He quoted the WORD…
      • Elijah is coming [present] FIRST to RESTORE all [πᾶς] things…
      • RESTORE [ἀποκαθίστημι] – quoting from the LXX – Malachi 4:6
      • The FINAL verse of the Old Testament that prophesied the RETURN of ELIJAH…
      • Before the GREAT and TERRIFYING day of the LORD [tribulation]!
    • Foreshadowing… vs. 12
      • I say to you that Elijah has come already.
      • They did not know him but did to him whatever they wished.
      • Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands!
      • Jesus clarified – ELIJAH is not coming [future] – he already came [aorist]
      • BUT – people did NOT know [ἐπιγινώσκω] it was ELIJAH – so they KILLED him…
      • And they were also going to do the SAME to the SON of man [Jesus]!
    • Understanding… vs. 13
      • Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist!
      • Because Jesus took them back to the WORD of God [no men]
      • And because Jesus also went on to EXPLAIN the WORD to them…
      • They finally understood [συνίημι] – that JOHN the Baptist had been ELIJAH!
      • After the resurrection of Jesus – He met two men walking on the road to Emmaus…
      • They did NOT understand why the Jesus had to die on the CROSS!
      • Luke 24:45 – “Jesus opened their understanding [συνίημι] – they might understand the Bible.”
      • Jesus opened their understanding [συνίημι] – because they were walking with Jesus…
      • It is as we are walking with Jesus – that He opens our UNDERSTANDING!