WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.260 You may be seated. 00:00:03.419 --> 00:00:04.280 Good morning. 00:00:04.900 --> 00:00:09.679 My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:12.500 and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:13.240 --> 00:00:16.179 A special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. 00:00:16.240 --> 00:00:21.120 We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, 00:00:21.620 --> 00:00:25.280 but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:30.020 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good, 00:00:30.120 --> 00:00:33.620 they don't need God's grace, and no one so bad they can't have it, 00:00:33.859 --> 00:00:40.480 which is why we come back week after week to hear what God has to say to us in his word. 00:00:41.560 --> 00:00:45.159 We're continuing our series this week in the Gospel of Mark, 00:00:45.219 --> 00:00:51.480 and you'll remember that the Gospels tell the story of Jesus and his life and his death and his resurrection, 00:00:51.479 --> 00:00:55.219 and we're now in the second half of this Gospel. 00:00:55.319 --> 00:01:01.359 The first half was building up to Peter's confession, which we saw a couple weeks ago. 00:01:02.239 --> 00:01:05.899 And since then, since Peter has confessed Jesus as the Christ, 00:01:05.959 --> 00:01:09.780 we're beginning to learn more and more what that actually means. 00:01:10.159 --> 00:01:14.319 We talked last week about the fact that Peter knows the word Christ, 00:01:14.479 --> 00:01:17.000 but he doesn't exactly know its content. 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:22.319 He is surprised and scandalized by Jesus' discussion of suffering. 00:01:22.719 --> 00:01:27.460 We had that sobering verse in Mark 8, verse 34, where Jesus says, 00:01:27.599 --> 00:01:33.460 If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 00:01:33.900 --> 00:01:37.019 And in the verse before, he has told us that there's two ways to live, 00:01:37.079 --> 00:01:40.659 for the things of God versus the things of man. 00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:45.920 In other words, he told us last week that we trade honor now for honor later. 00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:50.920 Jesus is coming back, and we look forward to that day. 00:01:51.939 --> 00:01:54.859 Now, there's two things going on here for Peter. 00:01:55.359 --> 00:01:59.079 Peter's going to be disappointed in two different directions. 00:01:59.640 --> 00:02:06.079 Last week, we saw his disappointment in the fact that Jesus is less than he wants. 00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:09.520 He didn't realize how low Jesus was going to go. 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:11.400 He wasn't prepared for suffering. 00:02:11.860 --> 00:02:14.980 He wasn't prepared for crucifixion and death. 00:02:14.979 --> 00:02:20.479 And yet, Jesus begins to teach his disciples clearly, rather than speaking in parables. 00:02:21.399 --> 00:02:25.599 This week, now, there's something else that Peter doesn't understand. 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:29.000 Last week, he didn't understand how low Jesus was going to go, 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:33.219 but he also doesn't understand how high Jesus goes. 00:02:33.519 --> 00:02:38.780 In other words, Peter is disappointed on the one hand and surprised on the other hand, 00:02:38.780 --> 00:02:43.479 that Jesus is not just another prophet ending the sequence. 00:02:43.740 --> 00:02:48.020 He is greater and more than Moses and Elijah. 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:53.699 At the end last week, we talked about the importance of vision, 00:02:53.900 --> 00:02:59.759 that it's what we see in the future, that what we look forward to allows us to suffer now. 00:02:59.759 --> 00:03:06.199 And in this passage, Jesus is going to help Peter and his disciples understand what exactly that vision is. 00:03:06.359 --> 00:03:14.719 What is it that helps and enables and empowers Christians to walk through suffering following Jesus? 00:03:15.599 --> 00:03:17.359 It's with that that we're going to read now. 00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:20.659 So I invite you to turn with me to Mark chapter 9. 00:03:20.659 --> 00:03:25.659 You can turn in your worship guide, you can turn in your Bible, you can turn in your phone. 00:03:26.159 --> 00:03:29.120 No matter where you turn, remember that this is God's word. 00:03:29.359 --> 00:03:34.439 And God tells us that his word is more precious than gold, even the finest gold, 00:03:34.740 --> 00:03:39.439 and it is sweeter than honey, even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:03:39.800 --> 00:03:43.000 And so that's why we read now Mark chapter 9, starting at verse 1. 00:03:43.840 --> 00:03:45.079 And he said to them, 00:03:45.080 --> 00:04:04.540 And after six days, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:07.700 And he was transfigured before them. 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:14.920 And his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 00:04:15.080 --> 00:04:20.100 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:21.660 Verse 5, 00:04:22.340 --> 00:04:23.780 And Peter said to Jesus, 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:26.319 Rabbi, it is good that we are here. 00:04:27.139 --> 00:04:32.500 Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah. 00:04:33.259 --> 00:04:36.580 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:41.259 And the cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud. 00:04:41.920 --> 00:04:44.040 This is my beloved son. 00:04:44.040 --> 00:04:45.840 Listen to him. 00:04:46.640 --> 00:04:47.319 Verse 8, 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:54.340 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them, but Jesus only. 00:04:55.760 --> 00:05:00.720 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen 00:05:00.720 --> 00:05:03.300 until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 00:05:03.840 --> 00:05:09.020 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. 00:05:09.019 --> 00:05:10.620 And they asked him, 00:05:10.620 --> 00:05:14.620 Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come? 00:05:15.199 --> 00:05:16.519 And he said to them, 00:05:16.719 --> 00:05:19.560 Elijah does come first to restore all things. 00:05:19.919 --> 00:05:25.319 And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 00:05:25.899 --> 00:05:28.259 But I tell you that Elijah has come. 00:05:28.659 --> 00:05:32.439 And they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him. 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:38.100 And I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:05:40.339 --> 00:05:45.860 Our Father in heaven, we thank you for your promise in Isaiah 55, 00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:51.800 that your word will not return to you void, but instead it will accomplish all of your purposes. 00:05:51.800 --> 00:05:58.939 We see here the transformative vision of Jesus that Peter and James and John had, 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:01.560 and we know that it changed and it shaped them. 00:06:02.620 --> 00:06:09.120 And so we simply ask this morning that you would give us a vision that shapes and changes us as well. 00:06:09.980 --> 00:06:13.259 That you would use your word in a powerful way this morning. 00:06:13.340 --> 00:06:17.040 That you would grow our love and our affection for Jesus, 00:06:17.199 --> 00:06:19.800 and you would grow our reverence and our awe. 00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:25.079 That we would see his glory, and that we would love him, and we would follow him. 00:06:25.780 --> 00:06:29.759 We ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 00:06:33.800 --> 00:06:41.920 Last October, Daniel Craig's final James Bond movie, No Time to Die, came out. 00:06:42.600 --> 00:06:47.160 And it's important to note that it is not, in fact, the last Bond movie. 00:06:47.160 --> 00:06:51.200 It's just the last one featuring Daniel Craig. 00:06:51.300 --> 00:06:55.020 Because, of course, Daniel Craig comes in this long line of bonds. 00:06:55.160 --> 00:06:57.240 Before him, there was Pierce Brosnan. 00:06:57.320 --> 00:06:59.200 Before Pierce Brosnan, there's Timothy Dalton. 00:06:59.280 --> 00:07:00.860 Before him, Roger Moore. 00:07:00.980 --> 00:07:04.700 And then, of course, the greatest, the original, Sean Connery. 00:07:05.440 --> 00:07:10.940 Now, these are different faces, right, playing this same character in different periods of time. 00:07:10.939 --> 00:07:13.339 But essentially, there's the same thing going on. 00:07:13.860 --> 00:07:16.259 All of them are strong and impressive. 00:07:16.939 --> 00:07:19.540 All of them drive British sports cars. 00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:24.439 All of them use these amazing gadgets that's put together by Q. 00:07:24.540 --> 00:07:28.800 In other words, there's not as if one of them is moving up or down the scale. 00:07:29.139 --> 00:07:31.639 None of them is supernatural, but all of them are powerful. 00:07:31.639 --> 00:07:38.180 It is this same individual of different men filling the same office. 00:07:38.899 --> 00:07:43.339 And so Daniel Craig, he's just another actor in this franchise. 00:07:43.579 --> 00:07:45.539 And there's going to be someone to replace him. 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:50.500 In fact, you see, if you go online, that there are websites that will allow you to place bets 00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:53.599 on who the next James Bond is going to be. 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:58.339 And there's various odds right now on different actors. 00:07:58.339 --> 00:08:04.599 I mention this because as people at the time of Jesus thought about him and saw him, 00:08:04.879 --> 00:08:08.060 as they meditated on the prediction of a Messiah, 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:15.199 it would be tempting for them to believe that Jesus is just the next actor in the franchise. 00:08:16.579 --> 00:08:19.399 Jesus is just the next prophet. 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:22.899 Now, maybe he's the prophet who's going to close out the series. 00:08:23.599 --> 00:08:25.319 Maybe this is the last season. 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:30.019 But he's not going to be radically different from those who have come before. 00:08:30.180 --> 00:08:31.860 Yes, Jesus does miracles. 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:34.120 You know who also did miracles? 00:08:34.919 --> 00:08:35.480 Elijah. 00:08:36.259 --> 00:08:40.379 Now, you might say, but Jesus raised people from the dead. 00:08:40.580 --> 00:08:43.899 Clearly, he's something different from those who'd come before. 00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:48.960 Only problem with that, Elijah also raised someone from the dead. 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:53.519 You might then say, okay, well, Jesus is this great teacher. 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:56.860 He's telling us things that we need to know and learn. 00:08:57.559 --> 00:08:57.919 You know what? 00:08:57.960 --> 00:08:58.500 That's great. 00:08:59.199 --> 00:09:04.699 Jesus follows Moses, who was also a great teacher. 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:08.600 There's this storyline that's going on throughout the Bible, 00:09:08.600 --> 00:09:10.759 and there's what we see in this passage, 00:09:10.899 --> 00:09:14.819 some overlap with previous seasons of previous episodes, 00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:19.240 especially an overlap with what happens with Moses in the book of Exodus. 00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:22.659 If you remember, Moses is the leader that God appoints 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:25.399 to take his people out of slavery in Egypt 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:27.539 and to lead them to the Promised Land. 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:31.220 And at one point, Moses has to receive the law from God. 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:33.659 That's a large portion of the book of Exodus. 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:38.419 In fact, it's Exodus chapter 20 where Moses receives the Ten Commandments. 00:09:38.779 --> 00:09:40.740 But in Exodus chapter 24, 00:09:41.320 --> 00:09:44.700 Moses has to wait six days on the mountain 00:09:44.700 --> 00:09:48.440 before God comes to give him the law. 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:56.000 Mark basically never gives us precise timing. 00:09:56.600 --> 00:09:59.279 Remember, he just likes to use the word immediately, 00:09:59.580 --> 00:10:02.259 except in this passage, verse 2. 00:10:02.600 --> 00:10:03.799 When does this happen? 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:07.680 After six days. 00:10:09.680 --> 00:10:14.440 Exodus 24, God's presence comes to Moses in what? 00:10:14.539 --> 00:10:16.060 A thick cloud. 00:10:16.059 --> 00:10:20.459 Here, Mark chapter 9, verse 7, 00:10:20.539 --> 00:10:21.079 what happens? 00:10:21.219 --> 00:10:23.539 A cloud overshadows them. 00:10:24.519 --> 00:10:26.679 God speaks to Moses out of the cloud. 00:10:26.759 --> 00:10:29.299 He also speaks to Jesus out of the cloud. 00:10:29.459 --> 00:10:32.599 If we've identified Mount Sinai correctly, 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:35.959 it is over 7,000 feet in altitude. 00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:39.920 Now, that may not sound like a big deal here in Colorado Springs. 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:43.420 It's a much bigger deal in the Near East. 00:10:44.320 --> 00:10:46.080 What are we told in this passage? 00:10:46.220 --> 00:10:47.000 Verse 2, 00:10:47.639 --> 00:10:48.900 Jesus takes them up, 00:10:49.300 --> 00:10:49.879 wait for it, 00:10:50.100 --> 00:10:51.600 a high mountain. 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:54.779 In other words, 00:10:54.860 --> 00:11:00.259 we are living out and looking back to this scene of Moses on Mount Sinai, 00:11:00.320 --> 00:11:05.820 which is being reenacted by Jesus in this new season, 00:11:06.060 --> 00:11:06.899 so to speak, 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:07.820 of the Bible. 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:10.420 You know that in a good series, 00:11:10.560 --> 00:11:11.659 in a good franchise, 00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:16.399 there are going to be references to previous movies and new movies. 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:18.779 Some people call these callbacks. 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:20.659 So in No Time to Die, 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:24.759 what do we see James Bond driving but an Aston Martin DB5? 00:11:25.799 --> 00:11:29.500 Where have we seen an Aston Martin DB5 before? 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:33.319 Seven other James Bond movies. 00:11:34.759 --> 00:11:37.299 So we know the pattern is continuing. 00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:38.559 This is not an accident. 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:39.480 It's intentional. 00:11:39.939 --> 00:11:42.299 Of course, James Bond can't just drive one car. 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:44.100 He has to drive multiple cars. 00:11:44.579 --> 00:11:45.860 Later in No Time to Die, 00:11:45.939 --> 00:11:48.699 he switches out and drives an Aston Martin V8. 00:11:49.559 --> 00:11:52.059 Where did you see an Aston Martin V8 before? 00:11:52.600 --> 00:11:55.699 You've got to go all the way back to 1987, 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:58.039 Living Daylights with Timothy Dalton. 00:11:59.100 --> 00:12:00.120 Different man. 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:01.240 Same car. 00:12:01.339 --> 00:12:02.980 In fact, it's not just the same car. 00:12:03.079 --> 00:12:04.379 If you compare the two movies, 00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:07.079 it is the same license plate. 00:12:07.080 --> 00:12:15.980 There are references and callbacks to previous episodes and series. 00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:20.040 What I am telling you this morning is that as we're looking at six days 00:12:20.040 --> 00:12:23.360 with the cloud of God on this high mountain, 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:27.259 that is Jesus' Aston Martin DB5. 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:31.960 We are being told clearly and definitively, 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:36.179 Jesus here is living into this story that's come before. 00:12:36.179 --> 00:12:42.759 He is part of this sequence of God's representatives throughout redemptive history. 00:12:42.759 --> 00:12:49.399 What's critical in this passage, though, is not what's similar. 00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:54.000 That is simply laying the background for us to notice and understand 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:57.460 and be surprised by what is different. 00:12:57.460 --> 00:13:02.320 If you recall the story in Exodus of Moses, 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:06.540 you may remember that Moses had to get two copies of the Ten Commandments. 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:07.280 Why? 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:09.180 Because when he was on the mountain, 00:13:09.280 --> 00:13:11.480 the people decided to worship a golden calf 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:14.660 and rebel against God and instead partake in idolatry. 00:13:14.780 --> 00:13:16.600 And so Moses comes down the mountain 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:19.620 to meet the people and give them the Ten Commandments. 00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:24.379 And he's so appalled to see them worshiping this golden calf 00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:27.620 that he throws down the tablets on the ground and they break. 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:33.600 And so Moses has to go back and meet with God a second time. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:37.179 When he does that, this is all the way forward in Exodus 33, 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:41.100 he says to God, I want you to show me your glory. 00:13:42.820 --> 00:13:48.200 And God says, I will, I'll do that, but you can't see my face. 00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:50.340 I'm going to hide you in the rock. 00:13:50.640 --> 00:13:55.720 I'm going to pass by and you can see the tail end of my glory. 00:13:55.780 --> 00:13:56.600 You can't see all of it. 00:13:57.080 --> 00:13:58.320 You just see a little piece of it. 00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:03.000 Well, what happens when Moses comes down the mountain a second time? 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:05.440 When he's descending to the people, 00:14:05.560 --> 00:14:10.060 we're told that his face is shining from being with God. 00:14:11.300 --> 00:14:14.900 Moses has this reflected glory. 00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:18.240 He has seen the tail end of God's glory, 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:20.500 and so it's still sort of coming off his face. 00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:24.279 You can tell as you look with him that he's been with God. 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:31.639 Jesus does something here much greater and more powerful. 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:36.079 Jesus does not have external glory that reflects on him. 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:39.139 Jesus has, look with me at verses two and three, 00:14:39.819 --> 00:14:41.819 internal glory. 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:47.580 He's transfigured before them. 00:14:48.160 --> 00:14:50.580 Verse two, then verse three, 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:53.900 his clothes become radiant, intensely white, 00:14:54.140 --> 00:14:57.040 as no one on earth could bleach them. 00:14:57.600 --> 00:15:00.080 Now we're told here, it's as if no one on earth could bleach them 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:02.440 to make sure we know it's not because 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:05.340 it had just been laundry day for Jesus, okay? 00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:10.639 His clothes were so white, so radiant and intense, 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:12.680 it was clearly supernatural. 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:17.040 If this color was on a paint swatch and you were trying to pick it, 00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:18.940 it would be glowing in front of you, 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:21.540 and instead of being, you know, muted gray or something, 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:24.160 whatever those fancy colors are that they come up with 00:15:24.160 --> 00:15:27.460 to make you feel like you're buying something that's of great value, 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:29.340 it would just say supernatural white. 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:32.820 And it would pop out from all the other colors. 00:15:33.040 --> 00:15:37.060 It would not make sense that it was sitting there next to everything else. 00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:40.940 In other words, Jesus, unlike Moses, 00:15:40.940 --> 00:15:44.700 has an internal power and glory that comes from inside of him, 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:46.160 not from outside of him. 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:49.180 It's as if there's a light shining on Moses, 00:15:49.300 --> 00:15:50.800 and so you can see him, 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:54.600 but Jesus instead has a light that comes from inside of him. 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:57.980 When I was a kid, we would do this thing with our flashlights, 00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:59.500 which I'm not recommending to you, 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:04.240 where we discovered that if you point the flashlight inside of your mouth 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:06.000 and you close your mouth around the light, 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:07.879 your face will glow red. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.259 Kids don't do this at home. 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:17.360 Moses has light from someone else that hits him. 00:16:18.420 --> 00:16:21.540 God's glory is on him, and so it reflects off. 00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:26.759 Jesus in this passage is glowing from the inside. 00:16:28.579 --> 00:16:32.299 Jesus has his own internal power and glory. 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:35.519 He doesn't need to rely on anyone else for it. 00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:40.019 He is that much greater and more powerful and glorious than Moses. 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:43.360 Jesus is not just the next figure in the franchise. 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:48.219 He is not just the next person taking on the mantle of a prophet and priest and king. 00:16:48.579 --> 00:16:50.659 No, Jesus is God himself. 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:55.259 He has a power that these men have never seen before. 00:16:56.939 --> 00:17:00.259 Exodus 24, Moses receives the law. 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:05.879 Here in this passage, God gives us the one who wrote the law. 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:10.960 Exodus 24, Moses is able to reflect glory. 00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:14.899 Here in this passage, Jesus, God shows us the source of glory, 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:17.680 the one from whom all glory comes. 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:23.640 Jesus is in continuity with all these other figures, 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:27.380 and he is much greater than all of them. 00:17:28.340 --> 00:17:33.420 To say Jesus is on a greater order of magnitude is an insufficient term. 00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:41.900 There isn't language to describe how much Jesus surpasses everyone who has come before. 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:46.840 And so Jesus is saying, I'm going to surprise you in two ways. 00:17:47.560 --> 00:17:49.200 One of them is going to be disappointing. 00:17:50.060 --> 00:17:51.500 You're not going to want me to suffer. 00:17:52.600 --> 00:17:56.240 The other one is going to be exhilarating and frightening. 00:17:56.240 --> 00:18:03.819 I am going to be not someone who reflects glory, but the very source of that glory. 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:10.019 I'm going to be something greater and more beautiful and more frightening than you've ever seen before. 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:16.119 And so it's no surprise to us here that Peter doesn't know what to do. 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:20.299 There's all sorts of theories about what Peter is trying to do with these three tents. 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:24.700 We don't know how to go into that because the passage actually just tells us what he's trying to do. 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:27.200 Verse 6, he did not know what to say. 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:30.900 Why does Peter suggest setting up three tents? 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:34.700 Because Peter is so overwhelmed, he doesn't know what to do with his hands. 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:38.360 He just tries to say something. 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:40.080 Peter is clearly an extrovert. 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:43.279 Awkward moment, he just starts talking. 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:54.319 All of those are great differences between Jesus and Moses, but they are not the greatest difference. 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:58.960 Remember I already mentioned, what does Moses ask God? 00:18:59.159 --> 00:19:02.579 Exodus 33, he asks him to see his face. 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:05.079 What does God say? 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:13.399 You cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live. 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:26.460 In this passage, Peter, James, and John see God in all his glory, and they do what Moses never could. 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:32.040 They look into the face of God, and they live. 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:44.879 Jesus is the one who allows us finally to see all of God's glory and to look him in the face and not die. 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:49.639 Jesus is what Colossians chapter 1 verse 15 tells us. 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:52.680 Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:57.379 Jesus finally makes visible what people in the Old Testament were not able to see. 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:59.399 Colossians 1 also says this, 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:22.380 Peter and James and John are finally getting a picture of who it is that they're actually dealing with. 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:28.160 Jesus is showing them something that Elijah and Moses never did, nor could they have. 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:30.779 He is not just another prophet. 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:35.100 He is the creator of the world who holds the universe together. 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:42.240 He is not someone who is simply receiving and delivering a word from God like Moses. 00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:45.400 No, he is the lawgiver himself. 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:49.779 He is not someone who reflects God's glory. 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:53.440 He is someone who is and has God's glory. 00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:56.860 He is not someone who has light hit him and then he glows. 00:20:56.859 --> 00:21:02.579 He is someone who from the inside out is filled with everything that God is. 00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:07.299 He is the one who allows us to see God and live. 00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:11.559 And so he finally bridges the gap between God and man. 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:18.859 Jesus is more than Peter had ever dreamed of. 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:22.759 More than Peter can imagine. 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:29.299 And so what's happening in this passage is that the curtain is being pulled back 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:37.039 and so that they are able to see for a moment the greatness and glory and holiness of God. 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:44.879 Peter, James, and John see Jesus for who he is. 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:49.740 This, by the way, explains verse 1 for us. 00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:51.279 What does it mean when Jesus says, 00:21:51.279 --> 00:22:01.220 Not all, some, right? 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.960 Because it's only Peter, James, and John. 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:11.119 And they get to see the kingdom of God come with power on that mountain. 00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:16.779 In other words, verses 2 through 8 explain and fulfill verse 1. 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:22.779 They get to see it six days after Jesus says it. 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:31.059 They get a glimpse, they get a taste of what Jesus was talking about last week in verse 38. 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.980 Remember he said, 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:36.519 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:42.980 of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:47.119 Jesus is talking about his second coming, 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:53.559 which is meant to be a vision that motivates them and helps them make it along the way. 00:22:53.559 --> 00:23:02.200 Now, six days later, Jesus gives them a small glimpse of what that second coming will look like. 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:06.679 He lets them peek into the future. 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:09.039 How do we know that? 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:13.000 Because Jesus doesn't look like this after he's raised from the dead. 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:20.019 We don't hear reports of Jesus after his resurrection with his clothes glowing white. 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:24.759 That is saved and reserved for his second coming. 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:29.900 Peter, James, and John get to see it for a moment. 00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:33.759 The point is this. 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:37.559 Suffering and glory go together. 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:42.119 Suffering and glory go together. 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:44.839 Never forget the glory. 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:50.859 It is the glory that allows us to make it through the suffering. 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:56.220 How can the disciples bear up under the words that Jesus has just spoken? 00:23:56.519 --> 00:24:00.980 How are they going to be able to live up to denying themselves, 00:24:01.159 --> 00:24:03.019 taking up their cross and following him? 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:10.059 Because Jesus lets them see not just his humiliation, but his exaltation. 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:13.879 Jesus doesn't just tell them about his suffering. 00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:16.740 He shows them his glory. 00:24:17.960 --> 00:24:22.200 He shows them how great and powerful he actually is. 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:28.240 Now, we are not Peter, James, and John. 00:24:29.580 --> 00:24:34.320 And we didn't get to see Jesus' transfiguration on the high mountain. 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:37.880 So what do we do with this today? 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:43.240 What did the original witnesses do with this? 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:46.760 Well, thankfully, the Bible doesn't leave us to wonder. 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:52.060 Both Peter and John actually write about this experience later in the New Testament. 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:54.900 You'll see this on page 6 of your worship guide. 00:24:55.080 --> 00:25:05.480 In 2 Peter 1, Peter is telling this church about the fact that they can believe that Jesus is coming again in glory and power. 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:07.940 He tells them, look, I'm not making stuff up. 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:13.539 We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus, 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:16.000 but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 00:25:16.380 --> 00:25:22.519 And then he goes on to talk about what it was like to be on top of that mountain and see Jesus changed before him. 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:28.579 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was born to him by the majestic glory, 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:31.480 this is my beloved son with whom I are well pleased. 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:37.720 We ourselves heard this very voice born from heaven for we were with him on the holy mountain. 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:46.539 Peter holds this experience in his heart and his mind for the rest of his life and his ministry. 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:52.680 And in this situation, as he talks to this church about the fact that Jesus is coming again with power and glory, 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:55.819 he could have talked about Jesus' resurrection, but he doesn't. 00:25:56.160 --> 00:26:00.759 Instead, he says, we saw what it's going to be like on that mountain. 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:06.579 We know how powerful and glorious he is. 00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:08.859 Don't let anything else get in the way. 00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:14.819 Keep that vision in front of you. 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:21.640 And then he goes on to say this in the next verse, 2 Peter 1, verse 19. 00:26:21.640 --> 00:26:27.920 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed to which you will do well to pay attention 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:37.460 as a lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:43.019 In other words, he's saying this, look, this is a dark place that you live in 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:46.539 and there is one place that you can go for light. 00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:49.920 And that is the word of God. 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:54.860 You can trust that it's not a myth because we saw his glory on the mountain. 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:58.559 We keep that vision in front of us. 00:26:58.699 --> 00:27:02.240 You, church, keep that vision before you as well. 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:04.719 Confidence in his power and his coming. 00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:07.939 Didn't just make an impression on Peter, 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:11.759 it also made such an impression on John that he writes about it as well 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:13.559 in the very first chapter of his gospel. 00:27:13.699 --> 00:27:15.139 You'll see this also on page 6. 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:18.679 And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen what? 00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:19.919 His glory. 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:26.800 Glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:30.220 And what else is John talking about in that chapter? 00:27:30.340 --> 00:27:33.860 Well, he's talking about the fact that Jesus is the one who created the world. 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:37.560 Jesus is the one who gives life and light in the midst of darkness. 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:40.340 Jesus is the one we're supposed to receive and believe in. 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:45.620 And then he ends that discussion by talking about the fact that Jesus is the one who provides grace. 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:49.579 And so Peter and John are both saying this. 00:27:49.739 --> 00:27:54.939 We saw him on the mountain, and so we can testify that what verse 7 says is true. 00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:57.159 This is my beloved Son. 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:59.599 Listen to him. 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:03.239 So how do we respond to this passage? 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:06.919 We do the same thing that Peter and John did. 00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:09.819 We remember who Jesus is. 00:28:10.779 --> 00:28:14.619 We're reminded of how glorious and powerful he is. 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:18.699 We know that he's the one who doesn't receive light and glory from the outside, 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:20.719 but he actually emanates it from the inside. 00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:27.039 We know he is the one who finally allows us to see God face to face and not die. 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:34.000 We know that he is the one who is greater and more powerful than anyone who has come before. 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:39.119 Why are you here this morning? 00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:41.739 Why are we here this morning? 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:50.359 We're here because we need to be reminded every week of how glorious and great Jesus is. 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:58.620 We need to see this vision over and over again because it is the only vision that is enough. 00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:02.519 It is the only glory that is enough. 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:10.440 It is the only power that is going to be enough for God's people to follow after him until the very end. 00:29:11.599 --> 00:29:17.599 Jesus knows that his disciples need to hear much more than deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me. 00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:25.500 They also need to see how great and beautiful and powerful it will be at the end. 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:34.940 Later, Peter will forget this when he betrays Christ. 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:40.100 Peter will be in need to be reminded again and again. 00:29:41.100 --> 00:29:45.500 Brothers and sisters, we need to be reminded again and again. 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:53.980 We come back week after week to sing together to God and to hear from God in his word, 00:29:54.299 --> 00:30:02.240 to be reminded and stirred up over and over about what is most true and beautiful and glorious and powerful in this world. 00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:07.480 So that that would eclipse what is small and insignificant. 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:15.120 Last week I told you we take up our cross because our eyes are on Jesus. 00:30:17.400 --> 00:30:24.059 This week I'm telling you and as our eyes are on him, we're remembering his glory and his power. 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:29.940 The glory and the power that we're told about at the very end of chapter 8, 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:33.720 that he's coming on the clouds with the holy angels. 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:42.299 Peter, James, and John will have to hold on to this vision. 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:48.279 Brothers and sisters, if we are going to make it as we follow after Jesus, 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:52.640 we hold on to this vision as well. 00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:59.579 We need to see and know and taste Jesus' greatness and his glory. 00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:07.379 Now we're not told everything that happened when they came down from this mountain, 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:10.819 but I can tell you this, guarantee you, 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:16.960 that as Peter, James, and John went off that mountain after seeing Jesus transfigured before them, 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:18.899 they were not thinking this. 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:22.179 Man, wouldn't life be better if I were more famous? 00:31:24.899 --> 00:31:29.139 Wouldn't life be greater and worth more if I were rich? 00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:34.500 If only I could have that relationship with that person. 00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:40.119 If only I was able to have that experience or accomplish that thing. 00:31:42.159 --> 00:31:45.699 There's no way that could be filling Peter, James, and John's mind 00:31:45.699 --> 00:31:51.839 because they had been overwhelmed with the vision of how great God is. 00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:56.619 The same is true for us, 00:31:56.819 --> 00:32:01.519 that we want to be filled and consumed and captivated 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:05.379 by Jesus' glory and his beauty and his power. 00:32:06.959 --> 00:32:12.480 That vision would be better and greater than any other vision. 00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:15.319 It's God's glory. 00:32:15.960 --> 00:32:23.360 It's Jesus' beauty that chase away sin and ugliness in our lives and in this world. 00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:29.779 The disciples did not need greater instruction or more commands. 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:35.500 Disciples needed the same thing we need to see Jesus. 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:44.380 In his book, The Silver Chair in the Chronicles of Narnia, 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:48.680 which I have to confess is actually my least favorite of all of the series, 00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:50.519 partially because as a young child, 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:52.839 I didn't like hearing about people crawling around underground. 00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:56.279 We pick up the story of Eustace. 00:32:56.939 --> 00:32:59.740 You'll remember Eustace shows up in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:02.720 He's the character who was turned into a dragon. 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:05.579 Aslan had to come and rip the scales off of him, 00:33:05.679 --> 00:33:09.019 which was this allegory about sin and redemption. 00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:14.899 Now Eustace is reformed and he meets this new character in the silver chair named Jill. 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:17.799 Aslan gives them this task that they have to accomplish. 00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:21.559 They have to go find this lost prince, Rillian. 00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:24.220 Now Rillian's been missing for 10 years, 00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:31.159 and Aslan gives them a few signs that they need to look out for on their journey. 00:33:31.619 --> 00:33:33.099 These signs are going to guide them, 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:38.000 and he gives them a specific action that they're supposed to take after each sign. 00:33:38.119 --> 00:33:41.679 So they're looking for the lost prince, they're searching after Rillian, 00:33:41.879 --> 00:33:45.559 and these four signs are the only thing they have to go by. 00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:51.119 At the end of his instruction, Aslan has this to say to Jill, 00:33:51.119 --> 00:33:53.359 and I invite you to turn with me to the back of your worship guide. 00:33:54.359 --> 00:33:58.779 He's told her the four signs, and now these are his final instructions. 00:33:58.939 --> 00:34:02.679 But first, remember, remember, remember the signs. 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:06.079 Say them to yourself when you wake in the morning, 00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:10.299 and when you lie down at night, and when you wake in the middle of the night. 00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:14.440 And whatever strange things may happen to you, 00:34:14.800 --> 00:34:17.980 let nothing turn your mind from following the signs. 00:34:18.720 --> 00:34:21.340 And secondly, I give you a warning. 00:34:22.240 --> 00:34:23.539 Here on the what? 00:34:23.760 --> 00:34:24.680 Here on the mountain, 00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:27.500 I have spoken to you clearly. 00:34:28.180 --> 00:34:30.680 I will not often do so down in Narnia. 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:34.900 Here on the mountain, the air is clear, and your mind is clear. 00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:38.660 As you drop down into Narnia, the air will thicken. 00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:42.460 Take great care that it does not confuse your mind. 00:34:43.300 --> 00:34:47.320 And the signs which you have learned here will not look at all as you expect them to look 00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:48.660 when you meet them there. 00:34:49.480 --> 00:34:53.880 That is why it is so important to know them by heart 00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:56.240 and pay no attention to appearances. 00:34:57.360 --> 00:34:59.579 Remember the signs and believe the signs. 00:35:00.260 --> 00:35:02.500 Nothing else matters. 00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:06.639 How do we follow Jesus in suffering? 00:35:06.860 --> 00:35:08.880 We remember his glory. 00:35:09.719 --> 00:35:14.860 We know the signs, and we believe the signs. 00:35:15.599 --> 00:35:20.840 Remember the power and the glory and the beauty of Jesus Christ. 00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:24.900 Nothing else matters. 00:35:25.800 --> 00:35:26.519 Let's pray. 00:35:26.519 --> 00:35:33.320 Our Father in heaven, we praise you, and we thank you again for your word. 00:35:34.159 --> 00:35:38.639 That you know that we're only dust, and we need not just your instruction, 00:35:38.840 --> 00:35:44.880 but we need a greater and bigger and more glorious vision of you and your beauty and your glory. 00:35:44.980 --> 00:35:47.840 We ask that you would grow our vision of you, 00:35:47.900 --> 00:35:49.960 that we would see your beauty more and more, 00:35:50.259 --> 00:35:52.099 that we would love you more and more, 00:35:52.679 --> 00:35:54.639 that we would follow you more and more. 00:35:54.639 --> 00:35:57.519 We ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:35:57.900 --> 00:35:58.139 Amen.