Theme: A Change in Jesus’ Appearance
1. As He sets His face toward Jerusalem
2. As He connects with Moses and Elijah
3. As He is approved by His Father
Luke
9:28-36 About eight days after these words, He took along Peter, John, and
James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He was praying, the appearance
of His face changed, and His clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly, two
men were talking with Him-- Moses and Elijah. 31 They appeared in glory and
were speaking of His death, which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. 32
Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep, and when they became fully
awake, they saw His glory and the two men who were standing with Him. 33 As the
two men were departing from Him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it's good
for us to be here! Let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses,
and one for Elijah"-- not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this,
a cloud appeared and overshadowed them. They became afraid as they entered the
cloud. 35 Then a voice came from the cloud, saying: This is My Son, the Chosen
One; listen to Him! 36 After the voice had spoken, only Jesus was found. They
kept silent, and in those days told no one what they had seen. (Luke 9:28 CSB)
The Transfiguration was about change. That’s
not such a bold thought for the very word Transfiguration means to “change
one’s appearance.” This event in Jesus’ ministry is properly named. Indeed, His
literal appearance changed, as we see from our text: His face and clothes
became bright. But, even today, the more important aspects of the
Transfiguration are often lost on people. We know that Jesus went up on a
mountain, became glorious in appearance, and spoke with Moses and Elijah. But what did it all mean? Too many of us
can sympathize with Peter who himself was lost for meaning and ended up
offering a foolish explanation of what it meant.
The true meaning of the Transfiguration
involves a much deeper change than the appearance of Jesus’ face or clothing.
There was also a change in Jesus’ mindset and actions as He now approached
Jerusalem. He would do fewer miracles in public. He would spend much more time
instructing the twelve. He would ratchet up His discussions with the Pharisees
and Sadducees.
Part 1: As He sets
His face toward Jerusalem
The first change which manifests this new
demeanor is how Jesus set His face for Jerusalem. The Transfiguration often
doesn’t receive the prominence of the crucifixion or resurrection when Jesus’
life is discussed, but the reality is that the Transfiguration was just as
important, and just as centered on our justification. Verse 31 tells us what
Jesus was thinking about: They appeared
in glory and were speaking of His death, which He was about to accomplish in
Jerusalem.
Jesus was not basking in His glory. It was
important for the disciples to see and understand that Jesus was truly God,
therefore He displayed Himself in what our text calls a “dazzling” way. But, as
far as what Jesus was focused on, Luke tells us by inspiration that He was
thinking about what lay ahead. The Transfiguration was a blending of Jesus’
divinity and humanity. He displayed Himself in an exalted, glorified way – as
He truly was. But, His heart and attitude were centered on sacrifice – a gift
that only someone who was also human could offer.
We saw another example of this last weekend, as
we studied how Jesus predicted His death and resurrection on three occasions
for the disciples. The Transfiguration was sandwiched between two of these
prophecies and in a way, acts out exactly what Jesus was predicting. He was
approaching glory – both for Himself and for the rest of the world as He would
defeat sin and death in Jerusalem. But, this victory would be accomplished
through His death. Mocking, ridicule, and suffering would be part of the
ordeal. The greatest of contrasts indeed, but the very dichotomy of Jesus
Himself: True Man and True God. The Transfiguration testified of both.
Part 2: As He
Connects with Moses and Elijah
Another very important part of the
Transfiguration was the presence of Moses and Elijah. But, again, we question,
why? This can be seen as the change from Old Testament to New Testament. Moses
and Elijah were two of the most revered figures in Jewish culture. Ask any of
Jesus’ opponents back then and they most certainly would have said that Jesus
was not aligned in teaching with Moses and Elijah. Moses was considered the
greatest Savior figure in Old Testament history since he led the Israelites out
of slavery under Egypt. Elijah was considered the greatest prophet in Old
Testament history.
It was not mere coincidence that Moses and
Elijah met with Jesus that day. Their presence was a symbol that the ways of
the Old Testament were giving way to the New Testament. Their shared conversation
with Jesus was a testimony that Jesus was the Messiah, the long-awaited
fulfillment of God’s prophecies. One cannot help but think that the Jews would
have certainly benefited from seeing this. The Pharisees, in particular, were
so convinced that Jesus was not the
Chosen One, certainly this could have changed their hearts.
But, as Jesus said elsewhere, if one does not
believe the word of God, what He called “Moses and the Prophets,” they will not
be convinced no matter what they see, even if they see someone rise from the
dead (Luke 16:31). Truly, this statement itself proved to be prophetic, as
after the resurrection the Pharisees chose to lie about it rather than see the
Savior for themselves. Long before this moment, they had rejected the Word of
God. Seeing the amazing sight of the Transfiguration would not have changed
that fact.
However, there was one Jewish man who was quite
impressed. Upon seeing the holy conclave of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah Peter
rashly recommended, “Master, it's good for
us to be here! Let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and
one for Elijah.” Can we really blame Peter? What would we have said in that
moment? Probably nothing more wise or sincere. And through Peter’s hasty
reaction another change was revealed. Jesus was not here to dwell in earthly
tents. The word used here is the same as that of the Old Testament tabernacle,
which Moses did use. The time for God to dwell in man-made tents had come to an
end. Pretty soon, even the Temple itself would not mean what it used to. The
old was departing for the new. The veil which covered the Holy of Holies was soon
to be torn from top to bottom. Peter was looking upon the Savior of all
nations. You can’t bottle something like that up and save it for later.
Similarly, we are living in the age of our
Lord’s fulfillment. As Paul later wrote, the time to believe is now, saying “And do this, knowing the time, that now it
is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when
we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let
us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Rom
13:11-12).” He also said, Acts 17:30-31
"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men
everywhere to repent, 31 "because He has appointed a day on which He will
judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given
assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." (Act 17:30 NKJ)
Let us
not waste our time trying to preserve things in this fallen and limited world.
God wants us to look heavenward. With so many distractions in life that seek to
keep us focused on the finite, a lesson we learn from the Transfiguration is to
“seek those things which are above,
where our Savior reigns,” and just as our Savior taught. Eternal blessings
come to those who follow by faith, not by sight. Daily forgiveness and strength
is granted to the one who considers his heart, not his bank account. As Peter
was taught by the Lord, so we should remember to desire God’s will, not our
own.
Part 3: As He is
approved by His Father (contrast to Gethsemane)
The final thought of change centers on the
words of the Father, This is My Son, the
Chosen One; listen to Him! Where Peter was dumbfounded at what to do, God
the Father spoke clearly. Our job is to listen to His Son, the Chosen One. The
Father wraps up the meaning of the Transfiguration well. As the final puzzle
piece in God’s plan of salvation, Jesus proved to be the Chosen One, the Christ
and the Messiah. He connected the work of Moses, Elijah and the rest of the Old
Testament believers. He gave their lives meaning. But, Jesus also extends the
blessings of God’s mercy to future generations. He is the precious and chosen
Cornerstone of the Church – It’s founding member and the One who keeps is level.
The Father’s words remind us that the Transfiguration
was the Son’s ceremony of approval. He was soon to be despised and rejected by
many. He was approaching a moment of forsakenness on the cross, from this same
Father, because of our transgressions. This punishment would not be the end,
however. The Father’s approval here reminds us of that.
As we read our text, you might have noticed
some similarities between what happened here on the mount and what will soon
happen in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus goes to a secluded spot to pray. He
brings Peter, James, and John with Him. They fall asleep. He gives evidence of
His divine and human natures. All similarities among these two events. Yet,
there is a key difference.
On the Mount of Transfiguration, the Father
spoke to His Son. In the Garden, the Son will speak to His Father. In one
setting there is joy and approval. In the other there is agony and submission.
From a human perspective, the mount seems to be everything we would expect from
the Son of God coming to earth. Glory, honor, and prestige. Perhaps that’s why
Peter wanted to stay there. In the Garden, the unexpected occurs: great drops
of blood, prayers for relief, and loneliness. What are we to make of this
heavenly correspondence between the Father and His Son?
Well, for those who may think that Jesus is
nothing more than a great prophet, it’s a reminder that He was not only
approved but forsaken. Both acts were necessary for our salvation. If Jesus was
a great man and nothing more, the crucifixion was indeed a pointless act of
brutality. But, if Jesus is who He said He was, who Moses and Elijah were
waiting for, then the Father’s approval and punishment fit perfectly with His
Son’s work.
The final change of the Transfiguration was
that the simple approval of Jesus as the Messiah needed to fade away to the
divine disapproval on the cross; not because Jesus Himself had changed. He knew
this even on the Mount of Transfiguration. This change happened because of you
and me – our sins. It was the only way they could be taken away. And after Jesus’
death, when both the Father’s approval and wrath had been fulfilled, Jesus’
resurrection began the greatest exaltation – even more than that of the
Transfiguration. He is our living Savior and Redeemer. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding
will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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