Epiphany Week 8 “Transfiguration Sunday” Luke 9:28-36

REVIEW: Today is the last day of Epiphany! Epiphany is all about the revelation of Jesus! The big Idea that we have learned is: God is like Jesus. It started with a shinning star leading the wise men and today, ends on Transfiguration Sunday, where Jesus is shinning.

INTRO> Last year my wife and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary! We spent a few days up in STL and went hiking! We went on a trail and thought it was the 2 mile trail and it was the 7 mile trail we kinda got lost but went up on this tall Bluff and was able to see the rest of the trail and know where we were at.

CONTEXT> The Transfiguration is sort of like that. It marks the middle point in Jesus ministry, we will see now that he “sets his face towards the cross” which we will journey with him through Lent. It’s not just a middle point but it’s also a high point. What I mean is that there is so much here that allows us to look back into the OT and see with this sort of view.  It’s also a turning point for the disciples, so much so, that Peter mentions it years later in his second letter. It’s fascinating to hear his words:

• • • “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.” 2 Peter 1: 16-18

APP> There is absolutely no way that I can do this text justice for all that it means to the grand story that God is writing. Peter helps us understand some of the high points. What does the transfiguration mean? 1) Proof of divinity 2) Preparation for the Cross 3) Preview of what is to come.

1. Proof that Jesus is the Messiah.

• • • • Remember this is a high point in scripture that allows to see the bigger picture. There is something happening here, that allows us to look back at Moses in Exodus 34
      • “So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first. And he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone.The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord.” Exodus 34:4-5
      • “his clothes became dazzling white” this is absolutely an OT description of God. “Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.” Psalm 102:1-2

APP> You see there is a question that precedes this event. It’s back in v20, “Who do you say that I am?” and then here in v35, when get the answer, from the Father, “This is my Son, My Chosen One” APP> You see Mosses only reflected the glory of God by being in his presence. Jesus IS the glory of God. Mosses was the mediator for the people Jesus is the greater mediator. Jesus is fully God and Fully man! APP> The deity of Jesus declares that God is not distant.

2) Preparation for Jesus’ Cross.

• • • • “Moses and Elijah who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure..” So we have some guests with us in this passage! Mosses who represents the Law and Elijah represent the prophets, being the prophet who didn’t die. Man, I would love to know what they are talking about?
      • “departure” this is fascinating… Luke uses a very specific word here, do you see it in your footnotes? “ἔξοδος= Exodos”

APP> So think about this, the guy that led the OT Exodus is talking with Jesus about his greater exodus! What is Jesus’ Exodus? jump up to v22 his death, burial and resurrection.

• • • • “Master it is good for us to stay here” no it isn’t… why? Because it’s not over yet. this isn’t it. Jesus will ascend another mountain and be between two people… theives. His clothes will be changed, ripped and blood soaked, his face will change but be disfigured. He will cry out to the Father but not get an answer.

APP> You can’t understand the glory of Jesus apart from the cross of Jesus.

3) Preview for what is to come.

• • • Again, this is a high point for us, a peak if you will. We are able not only to look back at the old testament from this view point, but also able to look forward in the New Testament.
    • Jesus’ appearance here make an impression not only on Petere and James, but also John.
    • “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3

APP> The Christian life is not about dying and being transported to heaven someday but rather that we are being transformed into the image of Jesus today!

Close>

APP> So what is our application from all of this? Well God the Father tells us.

“Listen to him…” It’s written in the present active, meaning, “keep listening to him”

Big Idea> We are transformed into the image of Jesus by looking and listening to Jesus.