Looking to Jesus… vs. 1-13

• Choosing the “special” ones… vs. 1-2
  • There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see…
    • This statement has led to a lot of speculation about it’s meaning…
    • Jesus was not saying some of the disciples would not die – He was talking about…
    • The mount of transfiguration – 3 of the disciples would see Jesus in all His glory
  • 6 days later – Jesus took Peter, James, and John up to a high mountain…
    • The highest mountain in Israel is Mt. Hermon – 2,814 meters
    • You can see Mt. Hermon from Caesarea Philippi (who do you say I am)
    • It is about a ½ day hike from the city to the base of the mountain
  • Why only these 3 disciples…
    • The first thing we notice is that not all the disciples go with Jesus – just the 3…
      • Bring the girl back to life – Mark 5:37 / Mt. of Transfiguration – Matthew 17:1
      • End time teaching – Mark 13:3 / Now the Garden of Gethsemane – Matthew 26
      • The typical view is to think these disciples were special – super disciples
      • The ones destined to be powerfully used by God – so they saw more
    • But it was not a matter of being special – as much as they were “special”
      • Not that they were better than the rest – they were more trouble!
      • Peter – speak first – then think – always getting him into trouble…
      • Sons of Thunder – Should we call down fire – Luke 9:54 
      • We may think that God only uses those with great gifts, talents, or ability
      • Turns out that not the case – God uses the foolish! – I Corinthians 1:26-27
      • God loves to use people like you and me – the ‘Special’ ones!
      • That way when God does a work – everyone knows it’s the Lord!
• Light of the world… vs. 3
  • When they reached the top of the mountain – Jesus was transfigured…
    • His clothes as white as snow (whiter than anyone could ever make them by washing)
    • For just a moment Jesus reveals Himself in all His glory… God almighty!
    • Like the sun and light – Luke 9:29
      • John 8:12 – “Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
      • Jesus is the light of the world that takes us out of darkness
      • He shows us the light of salvation – the hope of the Gospel – heaven!
  • Jesus was transfigured – metamorphoo – to change into something else…
    • We are also called to be a light to the world – Matthew 5:14 
    • In of ourselves – we are not that light – we don’t shine like the sun…
    • We become that light as we are transformed – changed… (2 things)
      • Romans 12:2 – “…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed [same word] by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
      • It is really easy to get caught up in this world
      • We want to be accepted by those around us – be like them
      • We don’t want to stand out – become a target – we want to blend into the world…
      • But if we conform to the world – we are not transformed for Jesus
    • Without Jesus – we are just a big dead rock…
      • 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!
      • II Corinthians 3:18 – “…we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed [same word] into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
      • When we look to Jesus – we are transformed – we reflect the Love & Light of Jesus…
      • We become that light that shows the world the hope of Jesus!

• How to be transformed – be a light to the world… vs. 4-10 (4 things)
  • 1^st – Through the Word…
    • Moses & Elijah appeared with Jesus there on the mountain
    • Luke 9:31 – “Speaking of how he was about to fulfill God’s plan by dying in Jerusalem.”
    • The testimony of the Law and the Prophets…
      • Moses wrote the 1^st 5 books of the Bible – the Law of God
      • Elijah was the greatest Prophet – he never died – II Kings 2:11
    • They represented the Word of God – testifying Jesus was the Christ!
      • And they talked with Him about God’s plan of salvation – the Gospel
      • Luke 23:44 – “[The plan] that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning [Jesus].”
      • We will be transformed – changed – become a light to the World…
      • As we spend time in the Word – learning about Jesus!
      • We will be a light as we share the Word – Gospel – with others
  • 2^nd – Through the good times and the bad…
    • During this whole encounter Peter and the boys were sleeping – Luke 9:32
    • Perhaps because it was a REALLY tall mountain – they were just tired
    • When they finally woke up and saw Jesus, Moses, and Elijah revealed in glory…
    • Peter answered – its good for us to be here – let us make 3 tents – Jesus / Moses / Elijah
    • The idea being Peter wanted to stay right there – in the presence of God’s Glory
    • Life if full of mountains and valleys – ups and downs – good times and bad
      • When we get to the mountain top… we want to stay right there
      • Set up a couple of tents and just hang out in the good times!
    • But things don’t grow very well on high mountains…
      • High mountains are barren on top – things grow best in the valleys
      • It seems every mountain is followed by a valley
      • In the hard times we have to depend on Jesus – it’s where we grow more in Jesus…
    • We become a light to the world when we look to Jesus…
      • Not just when we are on the mountain top – good times
      • But when we are in the Valleys – tough times
  • 3^rd – By listening to the Lord…
    • While Peter was still speaking – a voice from the cloud said… “This is My Beloved Son…”
    • Hear Him! (Imperative)
      • Peter was talking – not knowing what he was saying – rather than listening 
      • So often we end up talking to God when we should be listening
      • There is nothing we know – God does not already know
      • There is a LOT God knows – that we have yet to learn…
      • Hear Him – we become a light to the world when we take the time to listen
  • 4^th – By not looking to our fears – but looking to Jesus…
    • When they heard the voice – they fell on their faces terrified – Matthew 17:6
    • But Jesus touched them – and said arise (Imperative) do not fear (Imperative)
      • If we are overwhelmed by fear – or the circumstances of life
      • The best answer is to fall on our faces – and pray!
      • When we find ourselves on our knees – that is when Jesus touches us
      • Its on our knees we can hear the Lord – be encouraged we have no reason to fear
    • When the 3 looked up they saw only Jesus!
      • Then when we look up – we no longer see the things that scared us
      • We just see Jesus – when we see Jesus – we reflect the Light of the World
  • On their way down the mountain Jesus commanded them – tell no one…
    • Tell no one about what they had seen – until the Son of Man had risen from the dead…
    • Now Jesus is risen – so let’s tell everyone!
      
• Why must Elijah come first… vs. 11-13
  • The disciples question Jesus on the way down the mountain…
    • They had just seen absolute proof that Jesus was the Messiah – in His glory!
    • They had also just seen Elijah the Prophet…
  • So they wanted to know why the Scribes (religious leaders) say Elijah came first…
    • The answer is in the last verses of the Old Testament – Malachi 4:5 
    • Elijah did have to come before the Messiah – to prepare the hearts of men…
  • Looking towards the cross…
    • Jesus answered Elijah needed to come first – but Elijah had already come… 
    • John the Baptist was Elijah – but men missed him – they did not know who he was…
    • Instead they killed him to silence him & his message – they’d do the same with Jesus
    • Jesus knew His time was short – and the cross was near…

Pointing others to Jesus… vs. 14-21

• The Epileptic son… vs. 14-18
  • Returning from Mt. Hermon Jesus saw the Religious leaders arguing with the disciples…
    • Likely they were questioning – perhaps mocking them – for not being able to help…
    • The son with a ‘mute spirit’ – ‘seized him, convulsed, foamed, cried out, then fainted…’
    • The Father had brought him to the disciples – but they were unable to help the boy…
      
• Faithless generation… vs. 19-27
  • Jesus answers – “O faithless generation, how longs shall I be with you…”
    • Not that they had no faith – they had misplaced faith…
    • Our problem is never a lack of faith – it was where our faith is placed
      • I have seen extraordinary faith in ‘faith healers’ – but they have not power to heal…
      • I have seen stubborn faith in money – but money disappears as quick as it comes…
      • We all have faith – lots of it – our problem is we don’t always put our faith in Jesus
    • Far too often we put our faith in our own abilities – or the abilities of others
      • And when we or they fail – then we blame God for not taking care of us
      • Yet we were not looking to God – we were looking to ourselves or others
  • “Bring him here to Me!”  (Imperative) – the simple answer to every problem…
    • The son was brought to Jesus – immediately he fell onto the ground rolling around
    • The father explained this had been happening since his childhood…
    • Jesus answered – If you can believe – all things are possible…
      • The father had faith in himself to be able to help his son – and failed
      • The Father had faith in the disciples to be able to help his son – they failed
      • The only answer left was for the Father to believe that Jesus could help his son
    • The father answered with tears – Lord I believe – help my unbelief…
      • An honest and transparent answer – he believed – and he doubted…
      • If I asked – is anything to hard for God – we would all answer no
      • Yet when we are faced with trials – hardships in life – God is the last place we go…
      • We believe – but somehow we also doubt – how do we overcome our doubt…
      • It is not how – but who we spend time with – Romans 10:17
      • Our confidence in Jesus grows as we spend time in His Word – time with Jesus!
    • Jesus rebuked the ‘deaf and dumb spirit’ – and it came out of the boy…
      • The moment we have faith in the right answer – Jesus – there is hope
      • Only when we take our problem to the ONLY answer do we find the cure!
        
• Why could we not… vs. 28-29
  • When the disciples came into the house they asked Jesus privately…
    • They had their pride a wounded – and they did not want to make it public
    • They asked, “Why could (dunamis – to have power) we not…”
    • The answer was in their question – why could ‘We’…
    • They were not trusting in Jesus – they were trusting in themselves
    • Worse than that – they were teaching others to look to the wrong answer…
    • If people come to us looking for answers and help – it’s easy to be the answer…
      • If someone needs food, money, or wise counsel… we try to be Jesus
      • And men would much rather look to someone they can touch and see…
      • Therefore they are much more inclined to trust in a man than God
      • The problem is we are limited – and can’t always help those who look to us
      • Maybe we can help them once – but when they come back… again and again…
      • We have limited abilities and resources – only God has limitless!
    • It is only when we point others to Jesus we really give them the answer
      • He has no limitations – all the abilities – all the resources – all the power!
      • He is the only answer that we need to give to those who are in need!
      • Our opportunity – responsibility – it to be a billboard that says, ‘this way to Jesus’!
  • Prayer and fasting…
    • However this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting…
    • Jesus point is that some problems are tougher than others…
    • The toughest of them take prayer and fasting…
    • Prayer – taking time to talk to Jesus / Fasting – focus on Jesus
    • When we are faced with the toughest problems – the answer is the same
    • The point being really tough problems take LOTS of Jesus to cure it!
    • Our problems may change – the answer never does!