The Transfiguration of Jesus

Text: Mark 9:2-13, Matthew 17:1-13, Luke 9:28-36
22 June 2014

THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS

1. Time

a) Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain            Mark 9:2
b) Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray            Luke 9:28
c) Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by
themselves            Matthew 17:1
d) Discrepancy:
i) Six days            (Matthew, Mark)
ii) Eight days            (Luke)

2. Venue

On a high mountain (Probably Mount Hermon… overlooking Caesarea Philippi)

3. Present

Peter, James and John

4. Transfigured (Greek metamorphite Aorist passive) “to be transformed”            Mark 9:2

a) Clothes became exceedingly white            Mark 9:3
b) His face shone like the sun            Matthew 17:2

5. Significance of the Transfiguration

a) The Son of Man in His glory
b) A glimpse of the Glorious King
c) A glimpse of the glorious nature of the kingdom of God in the Transfiguration of Christ
d) The significance is reflected in 2 Peter 1:16-18
i) Reference is made to the Transfiguration
ii) The disciples heard the voice of God
iii) They were eyewitnesses of Christ’s majesty
iv) He received honour and glory from God
e) The Transfiguration of Christ was in part a fulfilment of Christ’s cryptic statement (Mark 9:1)
i) Some… Peter, James and John
ii) They would not taste death till they had seen the kingdom of God come in power

POEMS FROM THE GOSPEL OF MARK VOLUME 2

#1 THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITH POWER

The Kingdom of God was a major theme Jesus proclaimed,
Daily He wielded mighty power in His Father’s name!
But the concept of the Kingdom of God seemed to have been lost,
The multitudes had not comprehend the holy divine Cause.

The Disciples of Jesus also struggled with understanding their beloved Teacher,
Though there were flashes of understanding, they had not appreciated their Messiah.
He was not just a wonderful Teacher blessed with great depth of insight to teach,
He was the King who had graciously come, the poor and the weak, to reach.

Jesus had already demonstrated His Divine Power time and time again,
The Disciples should have cause to sing from the heart a happy refrain.
But there were still doubts and fears that had not completely gone away,
The Evil One could still affect them adversely, thus keeping growth of faith at bay.

There was one special thing that Jesus could yet do for His disciples who still hesitated,
Some of them would be given a chance to see how power and the kingdom were related.
There was great power everywhere if only they could have spiritual eyes of faith to see,
The presence of the King, the promises of the Lord- these should fill the heart with glee.

Inspiration: Mark 9:1