Christ’s Transfiguration
The Gospel of Luke • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Opening Illustration - Moses: There is a story in the Exodus 34 after the prophet Moses in the Old Testament had spent 40 days up on a mountain in the presence of God. We’re told that when he came down from the mountain, his face was so radiating with the glory of God after being in his presence that the Israelites asked him to put a cover over his face, so that they would not be blinded.
Personal: You can always tell a person who has spent great time in the presence of Christ. While their face might not shine like a lightbulb, their presence and their demeanor is marked powerfully. Are you that kind of person? When others talk with you and experience you, are they experience the radiation of the presence of Christ? If not, what are they experiencing from being around you?
Context: We continue in our study of the Gospel of Luke and today we come to the story of the Transfiguration. In this text, it is as if the curtains of reality are pulled back, and we are permitted to glimpse into spiritual realities along with these disciples. Jesus goes up a mountain and is transfigured before three of his disciples. Let’s peer in to this moment together.
Luke 9:28–36 “Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kep…”
Meaning & Application
Meaning & Application
From this text, I want to make four observations and consider how each of them might impact our own faith.
THE LOCATION
First, I would like to draw our attention to the location of the transfiguration. The gospel writer Luke actually does not tell us precisely where this took place. He simply says that Jesus took Peter, James, and John “up a mountain to pray.” But using the other gospels as reference points we can figure out what mountain this took place on. If we look backwards in the text to verses 18-20, there is a powerful moment where Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ. This same moment is recorded by Matthew in Matthew 16:13-20, and there we learn that Jesus had taken these three disciples to Caesarea Philippi to a specific spot near the base of Mt. Hermon called the Gates of Hell.
The Gates of Hell: That location is very significant, and a bit of background will help explain to us. At the foot of Mt. Hermon is a place called the Gates of Hell. In the days of Christ, that location was considered ground zero for the occult, the demonic, and everything evil in this world. In the days of Jesus that area was often referred to as Panias because it was a sacred site of worship to the god known as Pan, a particularly wicked and grotesque god who has made a comeback in popularity in recent years. Archaeologists have uncovered an unprecedented number of sacred idols and altars on this mountain to false gods. It was a place where human sacrifice occurred to gods. And it got the title “Gates of Hell” because inside the cave entrance is a seemingly bottomless pit. This was the epicenter of wickedness.
On this Rock: Before the transfiguration took place, Jesus stood at the foot of the mountain, at the Gates of Hell, and he said,
Matthew 16:18 “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
That little verse has been the cause of much consternation between Catholics and Protestants. Catholics believe that in this verse, Jesus is referring to Peter as the rock upon which Jesus will build his church. They therefore believe that Peter was the first Pope.. This Catholic interpretation misses the point entirely. When Jesus says “on this rock I will build my church,” the rock he is referring to is Mt. Hermon. That is why he went to the Gates of Hell. He was saying in effect, “The kingdom of God is about to breakthrough and destroy the works of Satan, and nothing can stop it.”
Then He Transfigures: Then, Jesus takes three of his disciples and transfigures before them, showing them a glimpse into his glory. On the very site, where the cosmic rebellion against God took place, Jesus stands lets his true glory be seen for the first time. As scholar Michael Heiser says about this moment.
“I’m putting the hostile powers of the unseen world on notice. I’ve come to earth to take back what is mine. The kingdom of God is at hand.”
So What: What does this mean for us? This changes everything. This was a declaration of war on the part of Jesus. It was a war that in some regards is ongoing today, and that you and I are called into. The Church is, in one perspective a hospital where people are ministered to by the powerful hope of the Gospel that changes lives, that heals bodies. But the church is far more than a hospital, the church is a battleship that is shining the bright light of Jesus Christ into every dark and wicked place on this earth, starting at the Gates of Hell themselves. The location where Jesus transfigures and shows his glory, was the epicenter of Satan’s rule.
The Imlications: The implications for us are drastic. Christians are not called to be passive bystanders to evil. We are called to shine the bright light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on all wickedness.
Does your faith have a boldness about it? A boldness of love to love others extraordinarily knowing that Christ will use that love to push back darkness.
Put another way, is your faith too safe? Are there risks that God has been inviting you to take, steps of faith that your heart has burdened with? Take them boldly in Christ’s name. Go forth in the conquering name of Jesus Christ, the glorious one.
HIS APPEARANCE
Second, let us consider his appearance. We are told in this story of his transfiguration that
Luke 9:29 “And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.”
His Natural Self: Another way to translate “dazzling white” is that they shined with a bright white like that of lightning. Here in this moment, Christ’s true spiritual authentic nature is bursting through into this physical reality. This text gives us a glimpse into the spiritual reality of the nature of Christ. In almost every other moment of the life of Christ, his true glorious nature is hidden beneath the regular flesh of his human body. But here in this moment, his true glory slips through. This shining Christ is reminiscent of the prophet Daniel in the Old Testament who had a vision he had of the Lord in his glory.
Daniel 10:5–6 “I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.”
Different than Moses: This is Christ’s true nature! At the start of this sermon I told you the story of Moses. How, when he went up the mountain, after spending time in such close proximity with God he shined so brightly that those who looked on him had to cover their eyes. Moses’ shining was an external shining. He was radiating glory that came to him from outside of him. Christ’s however, is a natural glory. The change in his face and the bright white of his clothing is not a reflection of the glory of the Father, but is in itself the very real glory of the Son. In this passage we have a confirmation of the nature of Christ. This is what is meant in Hebrews where we read.
Hebrews 1:3 “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature…
Christ’s divinity breaking through his humanity. Christ’s true glory bursting through the seams of his humility.
How Often This Happened?: Notice also when this breakthrough happens. It is while he is on a mountain praying. I read one old sermon this week on this passage and the preacher asked the question “I wonder how many times besides this one, Christ would sneak away to be alone and pray to the Father, and his true glory would break through?” See how Christ was often breaking away to be alone with God. On this occasion he happened to have a few other men with him to see what took place. But is this what happened regularly when Christ would sneak away? Would his intimacy with the Father through prayer cause his nature to erupt in dazzling glory?
Glory of New Covenant: Now, none of us have a divine nature like Christ. He is the true glorious one. He is the one and only Son of the Father. Yet, there is something profound here for us to glean for our own prayer lives, to learn from Christ. The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 3 speaks about the glory that accompanies every believer. The Apostle says in that chapter, “Do you remember how Moses face shined with glory when he came down the mountain because he had been in the presence of the glory of God? How much more glory does the simplest believer radiate because of the direct access they have to God the Father through Jesus Christ?” He goes so far as to say,
2 Corinthians 3:10 “Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it.”
Christian, when you draw alone to be with God, when you ascend the mountain to that quiet place, because of what Jesus has accomplished for you on the cross, you are accessing even greater glory than what Moses had. Because you have a new nature in Christ, that new nature is capable of beholding the glory of Christ and radiating it out for the world to see.
Prayer: O Christian, do not forsake your prayer life. When a Christian draws away to pray it is like blowing air on the coals of our soul. That time with God through prayer causes those coals to glow brighter and fuel our faith. Living in a city like Chicago with the constant noise can be difficult to get alone with God, but we must fight for it. Get a closet in your home that is a consistent place of habit to retreat and draw close to God. Find a quiet route that you can walk and pray with God. If possible, build in rhythms of surrounding yourself in nature, this is good for the soul.
David Brainerd Quote: I read a short biography on the missionary David Brainerd, an early American missionary who reached the Native Americans for Christ. An incredible life, and his journals were published after his death by the great Jonathan Edwards. They are mandatory reading for every Christian at some point in their life. David Brainerd was very frequently alone with God, on walks with God, praying to God fervently for his mission.
“As I was walking in a dark thick grave, “unspeakable glory” seemed to open to the view and apprehension of my soul . . . It was a new inward apprehension or view that I had of God; such as I never had before, nor anything that I had the least remembrance of it. So that I stood still and wondered and admired . . . And my soul “rejoiced with joy unspeakable” to see such a God, such a glorious divine being, and I was inwardly pleased and satisfied that he should be God over all forever and ever. My soul was so captivated and delighted with the excellency, the loveliness and the greatness and other perfections of God that I was even swallowed up in him, at least to that degree that I had no thought, as I remember at first, about my own salvation or scarce that there was such a creature as I… ” - David Brainard
Some of you have experienced something like this at times. The heights of that depth of glory-seeing comes from a life of regularly retreating in prayer. O, get alone with God. Go up a mountain if need be, close the closet door, find a quiet path. But get alone with God.
HIS COMPANY
Third, I want us to consider his company. There are two separate groups up on this mountain.
Two Prophets: First we are told that two prophets from the Old Testament appeared with Christ. We read in verses 30-31,
Luke 9:30–31 “And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”
Why Moses and Elijah? Well there may be a few reasons. Both Moses & Elijah had significant moments up on mountains, so there is mountian theme here. Remember Moses went up the mountain to get the law, and Elijah went up Mt. Carmel when he battled the false priests. But there is something more significant at play. Moses & Elijah represent two components of the old testament, the law and the prophets. What’s happening in this moment is that God is communicating that everything written in the Old Testament, all the law, and all the prophets pointed us towards Christ, and his death and resurrection. What Jesus was going to do in Jersusalem when he would hand his life over to be killed, was not just some accidental turning point of history, all of the Bible had pointed towards this moment from the very beginning. The death of Christ, for the forgiveness of sins, was the centerpiece of the confidence of Moses, and the confidence of Elijah. Those great men of the past put no confidence in their own flesh. Their appearance here bears withness to the fact that their utter hope was in Christ’s death in their place.
Peter, James, and John: There is another group up on the mountain with Christ and that is three of the disciples: Peter, James, and John. And everything about these men up on that mountain is interesting.
Heavy with Sleep: First, in verse 32 we are told that they were “heavy with sleep.” Here, the Messiah is revealing himself in all of his glory, as the fulfilment of Daniel 10, and they fell asleep. This isn’t the only time they fell asleep at important moments. Recall that just before Christ was arrested, these same three men go to the Garden of Gesthamene with Jesus. There, he prays so fervently that he is not glistening white in glory, but he glowing red from burst capilarries along his brow and blood dripping down his cheeks. And Peter, James, and John are asleep there as well. These men are quite ordinary, in fact they have very weak moments.
Knowing Not What He Said: Then when they wake up they see Moses and Elijah about to leave and we read of another foolish moment of these men.
Luke 9:33 “And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.”
That line “not knowing what he said” indicates that something about what he said was foolish. My sense is that Peter’s foolishness here is two-fold. First, I think he blurted out the first thing that came to his mind. This is an unforced-error that I have made far too many times, and I take quite a bit of delight in knowing that the Apostle Peter sometimes said things he wish he could take back. Second, I think what Peter said about making three tents for each of these men, indicated that in his mind he saw Moses, Elijah, and Jesus as equals. Here are three spiritual beings standing before him, and he wants to revere all three equally. Rather than realizing that Moses and Elijah are servants of Christ, he was thinking of them in that moment as equals. This is why the voice comes from the cloud in the next verses and separates Christ as the chosen one.
God Uses Nobodies: John MacArthur has a wonderful little book titled Twelve Ordinary Men in which he documents the twelve disciples of Jesus and how simple and ordinary they were. MacArthur says it so well in that book. He describes that many Christians today become so discouraged and disheartened by what they perceive as their lack of skill for contributing to the Kingdom of God in a meaningful way. Many Christians tend to think of themselves as substitute players at best, with low skill for making a major impact. But look at these three guys, low skill, error-prone, foot in the mouth, these are the guys Jesus picks for the team. Christ’s choice to bring these men into discipleship and into this mountain to witness the glory of Christ on display is proof that God delights in using nobody’s to turn this world upside down. These men had no intellectual prowess or political influence. But it was precisely because they were just ordinary guys that made them perfect vessels, because at the end of the day, all the glory of anything they would accomplish would go to Jesus and not them.
“God’s favorite instruments are nobodies so that no man can boast before God. In other words, God chooses whom He chooses in order that He might receive the glory. He chooses weak instruments so that no one will attribute the power to human instruments rather than to God, who wields those instruments.”
The Power is in Christ: Christian, what are the reasons that go through your mind as to why God might not use you powerfully to impact His Kingdom and His glory. Here are some of the lies we tell ourselves.
I’ve made far too many mistakes. James and John by the end of this chapter still hadn’t learned the lesson and they start debating which of them is greater.
The kind of mistakes are of a different nature and category altogether. The Apostle Paul murdered Christians.
I’m not smart enough. Peter was a local fisherman in Israel in the first century.
I’m too old. The Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation well into the last stage of his life
Take Great Comfort: Take great comfort Christian. Every excuse you might give, the disciples all could have made as well. Yet Jesus loved them. They were his beloved, his flock. He gave his life for them! And in all your weakness, in all your insufficiency, if your faith is in Jesus, he loves you as his own. His mercy is new every morning.
HIS APPROVAL
Lastly, let us look at the Father’s approval of the Son,
Luke 9:34–35 “As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!””
Similar to Baptism: If you have been paying attention in our journey through Luke you may remember that something similar was said at Jesus’ baptism. When John the Baptis baptized Jesus, we are told
Luke 3:21–22 “… and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.””
This is very similar language to our text today, but notice one major difference. At the baptism, the Father speaks directly to the Son. In fact, we’re not even sure that anyone else heard the voice besides Christ. Here at the transfiguration, the Father speaks to the three disciples. And therefore he speaks to you, through this text, through what was recorded in that moment, so that you may have certainty of these things.
This is My Son: The father says three things. First, “This is my Son.” Jesus Christ is the only Son of the Father. He is begotten of the Father, not made. He did not become the Son the way other sons are born. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus was a created being, and they are wrong. The Son is one in being with the Father. The Son is truly and eternally God. He made the world and sustains everything in the world. In the right time, he took upon himself human nature, with all with all the essential properties and common weakness of that human nature, though without sin. The Son, is truly God and in Christ, He is truly man. We are told in the Scriptures that what we do with the Son, determines whether we know God or not.
1 John 2:23 “No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.”
This is my Anointed One: Second, the father says, “my chosen one.” By this he means that Christ is the fulfillment of every Old Testament passage that said that God would one day send a Savior to the world.
Christ is the child who would be born, the son that would be given, in Isaiah 9, “and the governemnet is upon his soulder. His name is wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and prince of peace.”
Christ is the the stump of Jesse and the righteous branch written in Isaiah 11.
Christ is the Son of Man who is given Dominion and authority to rule the nations in Daniel 7.
Christ is the one whe has come to crush the serpents head in Genesis 3.
Christ was the fourth man in the fire with Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego.
Christ is the promised “seed of Abraham” that brings the blessings to the nations.
Christ is the true and final king that is seated on the throne of David and whose kingdom has no end.
And most importantly, Christ is the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 who takes upon himself the sins of the world. It was promised all throughout the Old Testament that an anointed one would come, a messiah. This glorious one would be killed, but his death would be far more than anyone else’s death. It would be a propitiation, a death that satisfies the wrath of God against yours and my sin. Jesus has come! The work is finished! In Christ, your debt is paid! To any and all who will call upon the name of Jesus, God will offer his right hand of fellowship, grace upon grace.
Listen to Him: Church, our instructions are no different than these three apostles. The Word bears witness to the incredible reality of who Christ is and what he has done. The Father’s final instructions to these disciples was, “Listen to him.” And so must we listen to him. The mark of an authentic follower of Christ is obedience to Christ and his commands. To listen to him, we must put ourself in a position to hear what he says. This is why Christians must saturate themselves in the Word of God, so that we know his will and his desire and we can constantly bring our life into alignment.
Closing
Closing
Let me close with one final thought. The text we have seen today is other-worldly. We have glimpsed upon glory. But there is coming a day very soon, when we will no longer glimpse, but we will behold. There is a coming day very soon when we, like these three Apostles, will stand in awe before Christ in all of his glory. And those that are in Christ on that day, will rejoice in the presence of their king. Those who refused to bow the knee in this life, will be forever cast from his presence in the next. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.