Mark (20)

Transition: As Jesus increases, so our obedience increases. The clearer we see Jesus’ identity, the clearer our eyes see the need to obey Him. The more our ears are in tune to who Jesus is, the better our ears are in tune to hear and obey His voice. The deeper our hearts are impacted by the truth of Jesus, the deeper our hearts are motivated to obey Him. The transforming work of God in us will never be disconnected form the truth of His beloved Son, Jesus the Messiah. Hence the title for today’s sermon.... messiahship and discipleship. This is what we will discover from our focal text. This passage further reveals the true identity of Jesus, and further reveals the growth of His disciples.

Transition: Our approach today is to walk through this passage and make some observations and applications of the text, in order to see how this main point is emerging from the text. Our guiding question are simple; what does this passage reveal about Jesus and what it means to follow Him?

Verse 1

Key Observations: Transitions from Jesus teaching about true discipleship and His powerful revelation of the Kingdom of God.

Verses 2-3

Key Observations: Jesus is revealed in His glory.

Point: He is God in the flesh.

Sub Point: The disciples eventually grasp this truth and are forever changed.

Example: John 1:14

John 1:14 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Application: John’s eyewitness account of God in the flesh is a testimony to us that Jesus is the only Savior worthy of receiving. (see John 1:9-13) Cannot be right with God without Christ.

Verses 4-6

Key Observations: Jesus talks with Moses and Elijah.

Point: Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the Prophets.

Sub Point: The disciples eventually grasp this truth and are forever changed.

Example: II Peter 1:16-21

2 Peter 1:16–21 ESV

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. 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,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 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, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 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.

Application: Peter’s eyewitness account of Jesus fulfilling the law and prophets is a testimony to us that the Word of God is our authority for continued transformation. (see II Peter 1:3-11) Cannot grow in Christ with the Scriptures.

Verses 7-8

Key Observations: God speaks from a cloud and further reveals Jesus true identity.

Point: Jesus is the beloved Son of God.

Sub Point: The disciples are commanded to listen to Him alone and eventually grasp this truth and are forever changed.

Example: I John 1:1-4

1 John 1:1–4 ESV

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

Application: John’s eyewitness account of the Son of God is a testimony to us of the great joy we have in fellowship with the Father by listening to Jesus. (I John 1:1-4)

Illustration: parenting and the repeated emphasis to listen to instructions.

Verses 9-13

Key Observations: Jesus continues to clarify the disciples confusion about His true identity. Specifically, that as the Messiah, He must suffer.

Point: Jesus is the suffering Savior.

Sub Point: The disciples eventually grasp this truth and are forever changed.

Example: Acts 12:1-2 Even though we do not have any written testimony from the apostle James. This son of thunder is a witness of the sufferings of Christ by his own martyred blood.

Acts 12:1–2 ESV

About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword,

Application: Jame’s eyewitness account of identifying with the Suffering Savior is a testimony for us to consider it joy to be blessed in suffering for Christ. As good as it is to enjoy mountain top experiences, the reality is most of our following Jesus is lived out in the thick fog of suffering. This directly connects us to what Jesus taught in 8:34-38 concerning the cost of being His disciple. We cannot read the New Testament without seeing the repeated emphasis of suffering for Christ. However, this is not bad news, rather this is confirming evidence and confident hope that we belong to Christ and eventually we like the disciples will know the full glory of our suffering. We will… as Jesus says in mark 8:38 not be put to shame when He comes in his final glory with the holy angels.

Conclusion: If we truly belong to Christ then we should expect this to be a year of transformation and growing spiritual maturity. That’s only going to happen as we continue to submit to Christ as He is revealed in the Scriptures. The veil of uncertainty and confusion and inconsistent obedience will only be lifted as the Holy Spirit leads us to the truth of Christ. The freedom to enjoy the transformation of the glory of Christ will only come as He helps us to behold Him in His word. As it says in II Corinthians 3:12-18

2 Corinthians 3:12–18 ESV

Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

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