WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.120 Good morning. 00:00:04.179 --> 00:00:10.040 Today is the last Sunday in the season of Epiphany, 00:00:10.179 --> 00:00:14.019 ! the season in the church calendar where we focus on Jesus' life, 00:00:14.019 --> 00:00:18.359 ! His ministry, His revelation to the world. 00:00:18.359 --> 00:00:20.940 ! It is right before the season of Lent. 00:00:20.940 --> 00:00:22.519 It starts on Wednesday with Ash Wednesday, 00:00:22.519 --> 00:00:26.719 the season where we remember Jesus' fasting and temptation 00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:29.359 in the wilderness, this 40-day season that prepares us 00:00:29.359 --> 00:00:31.359 for Holy Week and Easter. 00:00:31.359 --> 00:00:37.359 And the ancient wisdom of the church has seen fit for us 00:00:37.359 --> 00:00:40.359 to focus on the last week of Epiphany 00:00:40.359 --> 00:00:43.359 on something called the Transfiguration. 00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:45.359 On the Transfiguration. 00:00:45.359 --> 00:00:50.359 Matthew, Mark, and Luke, all three of them record this scene. 00:00:51.359 --> 00:00:54.359 They record this moment in their Gospel accounts. 00:00:54.359 --> 00:00:58.359 And so it seems, at least for them, it seems like this 00:00:58.359 --> 00:01:02.359 is a pretty important moment if all three of them record it. 00:01:02.359 --> 00:01:08.359 And as I was studying our text for this week, I kept asking why. 00:01:09.359 --> 00:01:12.359 Why is the Transfiguration important? 00:01:13.359 --> 00:01:15.359 Not just why is it in the church calendar, 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:16.359 but why does it matter? 00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:19.359 Why does it matter for our theology? 00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:20.359 Why does it matter for our lives? 00:01:20.359 --> 00:01:23.359 And I was thinking about the question this way. 00:01:23.359 --> 00:01:28.359 I mean, if it didn't happen, we would still have Jesus' life, 00:01:28.359 --> 00:01:31.359 His death, His resurrection, His ascension. 00:01:31.359 --> 00:01:33.359 We would have the full Gospel, right? 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:35.359 So why do we need this story? 00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:37.359 Why do we need the Transfiguration? 00:01:37.359 --> 00:01:38.359 What's the big deal? 00:01:38.359 --> 00:01:41.359 Why put it in the church calendar? 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:46.359 And also, if you just, it's kind of an odd story, honestly. 00:01:46.359 --> 00:01:51.359 Perhaps you picked that up as Hillary read the Gospel. 00:01:51.359 --> 00:01:53.359 It's a bit of an odd story. 00:01:53.359 --> 00:01:56.359 I think that if you asked the average person on the street, 00:01:57.359 --> 00:01:59.359 what is the Transfiguration? 00:02:00.359 --> 00:02:02.359 They would probably look at you with a blank stare, 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:05.359 or they probably think that you're referring to something 00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:09.360 in Harry Potter or the Twilight series. 00:02:10.360 --> 00:02:12.360 And so we're gonna ask two simple questions this morning 00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:14.360 about the Transfiguration. 00:02:14.360 --> 00:02:17.360 What happened and why does it matter? 00:02:17.360 --> 00:02:19.360 What happened in the Transfiguration 00:02:19.360 --> 00:02:22.360 and why does it matter for the disciples 00:02:22.360 --> 00:02:23.360 and why does it matter for us today? 00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:27.360 So first of all, what happened in the Transfiguration? 00:02:28.360 --> 00:02:30.360 In the beginning of Matthew chapter 17, 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:34.360 our Gospel passage, Jesus leads Peter, James, and John 00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:37.360 on a hike up a mountain. 00:02:37.360 --> 00:02:39.360 And I want you to imagine what it would have been like 00:02:39.360 --> 00:02:40.360 to be in their shoes. 00:02:40.360 --> 00:02:43.360 They're hanging out with Jesus, and he says, 00:02:43.360 --> 00:02:46.360 all right guys, it's time to go for a climb, 00:02:46.360 --> 00:02:48.360 time to go for a hike up this mountain. 00:02:48.360 --> 00:02:51.360 And they say, all right, great, let's go. 00:02:52.360 --> 00:02:54.360 Let me grab my hiking boots. 00:02:54.360 --> 00:02:57.360 I'm gonna grab my Garmin watch 00:02:57.360 --> 00:02:59.360 so I can track this hike on Strava. 00:03:00.360 --> 00:03:01.360 I'm excited to get some steps in. 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:03.360 I'm excited to, when we get to the top, 00:03:03.360 --> 00:03:04.360 see a nice view. 00:03:05.360 --> 00:03:07.360 More importantly, just excited to spend 00:03:07.360 --> 00:03:08.360 some quality time with Jesus. 00:03:08.360 --> 00:03:10.360 You know, away from the crowds, 00:03:10.360 --> 00:03:12.360 away from the other disciples. 00:03:12.360 --> 00:03:15.360 It's kind of a unique, privileged time. 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:18.360 They're probably thinking as they start the climb, 00:03:18.360 --> 00:03:19.360 as they start the ascent, 00:03:20.360 --> 00:03:22.360 probably start thinking what they're gonna do 00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:23.360 when they get to the top. 00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:25.360 Perhaps when we get to the top, 00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:28.360 Jesus is gonna do some teaching. 00:03:28.360 --> 00:03:30.360 He likes to do that sort of thing. 00:03:30.360 --> 00:03:33.360 Maybe we'll have a little prayer time. 00:03:33.360 --> 00:03:36.360 And hopefully, have some time for lunch. 00:03:37.360 --> 00:03:38.360 That's what I would be thinking 00:03:38.360 --> 00:03:41.360 if I was going up mountain with Jesus. 00:03:41.360 --> 00:03:42.360 But when they get to the top, 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:46.360 none of the things that they are expecting 00:03:46.360 --> 00:03:48.360 or imagining happen. 00:03:49.360 --> 00:03:51.360 Instead, they experience something 00:03:51.360 --> 00:03:54.360 totally unpredictable, totally unexpected, 00:03:54.360 --> 00:03:58.360 totally shocking and extraordinary. 00:03:58.360 --> 00:04:00.360 The first thing that they see 00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:07.360 is they see Jesus surrounded and illuminated 00:04:07.360 --> 00:04:10.360 with overwhelming glory. 00:04:11.360 --> 00:04:12.360 With overwhelming glory. 00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:16.360 Verse two says that his face shone like the sun 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:21.360 and his clothes became as white as the light. 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:23.360 I love the way that Mark describes it 00:04:23.360 --> 00:04:25.360 in his account of this scene. 00:04:26.360 --> 00:04:29.360 Mark says his clothes became dazzling white, 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:33.360 whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 00:04:34.360 --> 00:04:36.360 Luke says that his appearance and his clothes 00:04:36.360 --> 00:04:38.360 were like a flash of lightning. 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:43.360 This is Jesus in overwhelming glory. 00:04:43.360 --> 00:04:45.360 It reminds us of the words of Psalm 104. 00:04:45.360 --> 00:04:47.360 Verses one and two. 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:50.360 Oh Lord my God, you are clothed with splendor and majesty. 00:04:51.360 --> 00:04:54.360 The Lord wraps himself in light. 00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:58.360 Wraps himself in light as with a garment. 00:04:59.360 --> 00:05:01.360 New Testament scholar R.T. France 00:05:01.360 --> 00:05:03.360 in his commentary on Matthew puts it like this. 00:05:04.360 --> 00:05:06.360 The disciples saw the same Jesus, 00:05:07.360 --> 00:05:11.360 but now with an awesome brightness like the sun. 00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:15.360 Or we might better say that the dark 00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:18.360 dullness of earthly conditions were stripped away. 00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:22.360 So that the true nature of Jesus could be clearly seen. 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:24.360 I love that. 00:05:24.360 --> 00:05:26.360 The dullness of the earthly conditions were stripped away 00:05:26.360 --> 00:05:28.360 so that they could see the true nature of Jesus. 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:32.360 For a brief moment, the veil of Jesus' humanity 00:05:32.360 --> 00:05:33.360 is pulled back. 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:38.360 And the disciples see Jesus clothed in the awesome splendor 00:05:38.360 --> 00:05:41.360 and majesty and power of his glory. 00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:43.360 But that's not all they see. 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:45.360 That's not where the scene ends. 00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:48.360 In verse three, we see that just then there appeared before them 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:51.360 Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus. 00:05:51.360 --> 00:05:55.360 I would love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation. 00:05:56.360 --> 00:06:00.360 Moses and Elijah are these two prominent Old Testament figures. 00:06:01.360 --> 00:06:05.360 Moses is the one who led Israel out of Egypt, out of slavery, 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:07.360 into the Promised Land. 00:06:07.360 --> 00:06:10.360 He received the law as a covenant mediator, 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:12.360 a covenant representative of God's people. 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:15.360 And Elijah in the Book of First Kings is a prophet. 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:20.360 He was a prophet who spoke to God's people on God's behalf. 00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:24.360 And both Moses and Elijah are prominent figures 00:06:24.360 --> 00:06:28.360 because they had these unique and special experiences 00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:31.360 of God's glory in the Old Testament 00:06:31.360 --> 00:06:32.360 that no one else got to experience. 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:35.360 Some people call this a theophany. 00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:36.360 A theophany. 00:06:36.360 --> 00:06:39.360 Both of them had this experience of God's presence and glory. 00:06:39.360 --> 00:06:40.360 Where? 00:06:42.360 --> 00:06:43.360 On top of a mountain. 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:44.360 On top of a mountain. 00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:45.360 Same mountain, in fact. 00:06:46.360 --> 00:06:47.360 Mount Sinai. 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:50.360 And in our Old Testament passage this morning 00:06:50.360 --> 00:06:52.360 that Gregor read, Exodus 24, 00:06:53.360 --> 00:06:56.360 we see this scene where God meets Moses 00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:00.360 on top of Mount Sinai in a cloud of fire 00:07:01.360 --> 00:07:03.360 and smoke and thunder. 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:06.360 It's an awesome experience. 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:11.360 In 1 Kings chapter 19, Elijah goes up the same mountain 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:15.360 many years later and he experiences a wind, 00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:18.360 a great wind, a great fire, a great earthquake. 00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:20.360 But God was not in the wind. 00:07:20.360 --> 00:07:21.360 He was not in the fire. 00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:22.360 He was not in the earthquake. 00:07:22.360 --> 00:07:23.360 Where was he? 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:27.360 He was in a still, small voice. 00:07:28.360 --> 00:07:30.360 Moses and Elijah had these theophanies, 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:33.360 these unique experiences of God's glory. 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:37.360 And they together represent God's presence, 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:42.360 His word and His revelation to His people. 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:46.360 You can think of Moses as representing the law 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:50.360 and Elijah representing the prophets. 00:07:50.360 --> 00:07:53.360 The law and the prophets is actually a shorthand way 00:07:54.360 --> 00:07:57.360 of referring to the entire Old Testament, 00:07:58.360 --> 00:08:00.360 the entire Old Testament story. 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:04.360 It's actually a shorthand that Jesus Himself used many times, 00:08:04.360 --> 00:08:06.360 the law and the prophets. 00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:11.360 And so what the disciples saw on top of this mountain is 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:13.360 two prominent Old Testament figures, 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:17.360 two heroes of the faith who experienced God's glory and power 00:08:17.360 --> 00:08:21.360 and who mediated God's presence and word to His people. 00:08:24.360 --> 00:08:29.360 Standing in the presence of someone who is so clearly much greater. 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:30.360 than them. 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:36.360 Two people who represent the law and the prophets standing with someone 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:42.360 whose power and authority and glory stands far above the law 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:43.360 and the prophets. 00:08:44.360 --> 00:08:49.360 Consider for a moment when Moses goes up the mountain, 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:53.360 Mount Sinai, to meet with the Lord in the cloud of glory. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:58.360 When Moses, we see later in Exodus when he comes down the mountain, 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:03.360 we learn that Moses' face was radiating with light. 00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:08.360 It was almost as if the divine glory that he experienced sort of rubbed off on him. 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:12.360 Sort of as the moon reflects the light of the sun, 00:09:13.360 --> 00:09:21.360 Moses' face was reflecting the glory of God as he came down the mountain after encountering God's glory. 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:32.360 The face of Jesus was shining too, but the face, Jesus' face wasn't shining by reflecting divine glory. 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:36.360 Jesus' face was shining with his own glory. 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:44.360 As great as Moses and Elijah are, as important and prominent as they are in the story of God's people, 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:49.360 someone greater, someone more important is here. 00:09:49.360 --> 00:10:02.360 And it's in this moment of incredible encounter with God's glory that Peter has a really great idea. 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:07.360 Verse 4, Peter said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here. 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:14.360 If you wish, I will put up three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah. 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:16.360 You gotta love Peter, right? 00:10:16.360 --> 00:10:17.360 You just gotta love the guy. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:21.360 I mean, I think that in a lot of ways, Peter reminds me of Dwight Schrute from The Office. 00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:24.360 He's got a lot of energy. 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:34.360 He's quick to speak, quick to act, quick to get the job done, but often doesn't go super well. 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:36.360 Here's what I think is amazing. 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:39.360 He's got two friends with him, James and John. 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:41.360 And what does he say? 00:10:42.360 --> 00:10:43.360 I will put up three shelters for you. 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:45.360 I will do this. 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:48.360 You gotta give Peter credit for showing initiative, right? 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:55.360 Some commentators suggest that Peter is thinking here about the Feast of Tabernacles, this Old Testament feast. 00:10:56.360 --> 00:11:06.360 Week-long celebration where people constructed these temporary shelters called booths as a reminder of God's provision for them in the wilderness. 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:15.360 And perhaps he's thinking about this, but whether he's thinking about the Feast of Tabernacles or not, it's clear that Peter recognizes an opportunity. 00:11:15.360 --> 00:11:26.360 He recognizes that something unique, special is happening, and he wants to say to everybody, hey guys, let's extend the moment. 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:29.360 Let's keep this going. 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:34.360 Let's prolong this mountaintop experience for as long as possible. 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:41.360 Though Peter's idea was probably well-intentioned, it was also seriously misguided. 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:44.360 We know this, and I love this. 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:52.360 We know this because while Peter is still speaking, while the words are still coming out of his mouth, another voice interrupts him. 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:55.360 Verse 5, verses 5-8. 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:59.360 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them. 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:06.360 And a voice from the cloud said, this is my son, whom I love. 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:10.360 With him I am well-pleased. 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:13.360 Listen to him. 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:16.360 Listen to him. 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:24.360 All throughout the Old Testament, the cloud of glory was this physical sign of God's presence and his glory to come and dwell with his people. 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:38.360 And the same God who spoke to Moses in the cloud of glory on Mount Sinai, the same God who led Israel through the wilderness with the cloud of glory by day and the pillar of fire by night, 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:42.360 is the same God who is speaking here. 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:52.360 And if you remember, these are actually the same words that God the Father speaks over Jesus in his baptism. 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:54.360 This is my son. 00:12:55.360 --> 00:13:00.360 This is my son, whom I love, and with him I am well-pleased. 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:04.360 Only this time, he adds another line. 00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:06.360 Listen to him. 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:08.360 Listen to him. 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:10.360 Verse 6. 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:14.360 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down on the ground, terrified. 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:16.360 But Jesus came and touched them. 00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:17.360 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:18.360 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:22.360 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:28.360 Before we wrap up this scene, I just want to pause and notice one more thing about Jesus. 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:46.360 How is it that the God of the smoke and the fire and the thunder with Moses in Exodus 24, how is it that that God is also the same God in 1 Kings 19, the still small voice with Elijah? 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:50.360 God of glory and also a God of tenderness. 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:51.360 God of goodness. 00:13:53.360 --> 00:14:04.360 I think we get a clue to an answer in this scene because Jesus in this moment shows us both his incredible glory and also his incredible grace. 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:06.639 incredible grace. 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:09.940 One minute, Jesus is radiating with cosmic light 00:14:09.940 --> 00:14:13.940 and brilliance and glory, and the next minute, 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:19.080 he's kneeling down and he's touching Peter and James 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:22.060 and John on the shoulder and saying, hey guys, 00:14:22.060 --> 00:14:25.820 don't be afraid, don't be afraid. 00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:29.639 This is an incredible picture of Jesus. 00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:34.100 He is full of majesty, full of splendor, 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:39.100 full of glory, and also incredibly full of tenderness 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:42.639 and gentleness and love. 00:14:44.040 --> 00:14:47.560 This is Jesus in the transfiguration. 00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:48.700 It's an incredible story, 00:14:48.700 --> 00:14:51.379 and it's an incredible scene to unpack. 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:55.600 That leads to our second question, why does it matter? 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:57.460 Why does the transfiguration matter? 00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:59.139 Why did it matter for the disciples, 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:01.519 and why does it matter for us today? 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:03.680 We're gonna look at three things. 00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:07.679 The transfiguration matters because it authenticates 00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:12.219 Jesus' identity, it clarifies Jesus' mission, 00:15:12.219 --> 00:15:14.219 and it previews our own transformation. 00:15:14.219 --> 00:15:18.679 It authenticates Jesus' identity, it clarifies his mission, 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:21.239 and it previews our own transformation. 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:27.240 So first of all, transfiguration authenticates Jesus' identity. 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:35.779 You know, multiple times a day, I think a lot of us perform an annoying little ritual 00:15:35.779 --> 00:15:40.240 that has become somewhat of a daily essential activity to our lives. 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:44.240 I'm talking about, of course, about two-factor authentication. 00:15:44.240 --> 00:15:51.779 You log into your phone, or your bank account, or your email inbox, and a message pops up. 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.779 Not so fast. 00:15:52.779 --> 00:15:53.779 Not so fast. 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:56.779 First, you have to prove who you say you are. 00:15:56.779 --> 00:16:03.779 You have to prove you're not an AI bot or a scammer trying to steal someone's identity or money, 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:10.319 and so you get a code texted to your phone, or perhaps you have to answer a security question, 00:16:10.319 --> 00:16:18.019 or pick which boxes have the motorcycle on them, to prove that you are who you say you are, 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:25.439 because no one but you, no one but you could type that passcode into the box, 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:29.440 and no one but you, no one but you would know the name of your first pet. 00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:33.440 No one but you would know the name of the street that you grew up on. 00:16:33.440 --> 00:16:38.440 The transfiguration is Jesus' two-factor authentication, 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:42.440 to say that he is who he says he is. 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:44.440 He's not just another spiritual leader. 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:46.440 He's not just another religious teacher of the law. 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:52.440 He's not just one more in the long line of prophets equal to Moses and Elijah. 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:57.440 In fact, he is everything that the law and the prophets point to. 00:16:57.440 --> 00:17:02.440 He is the very fulfillment of the entire Old Testament story. 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:03.440 He is the anointed one. 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.440 He's the Messiah. 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:10.440 He is the king who is coming to reign in his rightful place. 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:16.440 No one but him could be transformed with that kind of glory. 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:21.440 No one but him could stand in the name of the Lord. 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:25.440 No one but him could stand as the superior to Moses and Elijah. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:30.440 No one but him could call forth the voice of God the Father, 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:33.440 this is my son. 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:39.440 Jesus really is who he says he is. 00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:44.440 And for Peter and the other disciples, this was an important moment, 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:55.440 not only for that present moment, but it was a moment that they could look back later in their life as a moment that confirmed Jesus' identity. 00:17:55.440 --> 00:18:08.440 Perhaps when things were hard or when their faith was being tested or perhaps when they started to doubt or when they felt like giving up, it would have given them perseverance in their faith. 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:17.440 It would have given them boldness in proclaiming the good news about Jesus even in the midst of opposition and persecution. 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:30.440 Listen to how Peter, later in his ministry, listen to how Peter himself reflects on the significance of this moment in 2 Peter 1, verses 16 through 18. 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:39.440 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power. 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:42.440 But we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:48.440 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the majestic glory saying, 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:53.440 This is my son whom I love, and with him I am well pleased. 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:59.440 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:04.440 This is a core memory for Peter. 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:11.440 And friends, if you're here this morning and you're not sure what you think about Jesus, 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:16.440 or not sure what you believe about him, 00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:20.440 number one question, the number one question that you can answer in your life is this, 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:26.440 is Jesus who he really, is Jesus really who he says he is? 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:31.440 And your answer to that question is the most important question that you can answer, 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:37.440 because if he's not, then believe whatever you want to believe, live however you want to live. 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:43.440 But if Jesus is who he says he is, then there is only one way to respond. 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:50.440 To listen to the authenticating voice of God the Father speaking to us, 00:19:50.440 --> 00:19:53.440 This is my son. 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:56.440 Listen to him. 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:59.440 Listen to him. 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:13.440 Whatever voices we listen to, whatever people or thought leaders or political leaders or podcasts or social media influencers, writers, 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:20.440 whatever other voices we listen to, there is one voice that we must listen to above all the rest. 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:24.440 And it's the voice of Jesus, because he is who he says he is. 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:29.440 So first of all, the transfiguration matters because it authenticates Jesus' identity. 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:35.440 The second thing for why the transfiguration matters is that it clarifies Jesus' mission. 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:37.440 Clarifies his mission. 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:46.440 All three accounts of the transfiguration have right before this scene, Jesus telling his disciples the same thing. 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:52.440 That he must go to Jerusalem to suffer, to be betrayed and rejected and to be killed. 00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:59.440 And that whoever wants to follow him must take up their cross, deny themselves and follow him. 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:05.440 And this is why Peter's plan needs some correction. 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:07.440 We can appreciate Peter's heart. 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:08.440 We can appreciate his motivation. 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:13.440 He recognizes that God is doing something special and he wants to keep it going. 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:22.440 But the problem is that Peter wants the mountaintop experience without having to bear his cross. 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:27.440 He wants, Peter wants glory without suffering. 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:34.440 You know, sometimes the Lord is kind enough in our lives to bring us mountaintop experiences. 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:39.440 Perhaps it's a moving and powerful time of worship. 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:43.440 Perhaps it's a powerful time of prayer. 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:52.440 Maybe this happens in church on a Sunday or at a retreat or at a summer camp when we're young or on a mission trip. 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:56.440 Maybe even we experience something like a miraculous healing. 00:21:56.440 --> 00:22:12.440 I mean, I remember having experiences when I was a teenager in middle school and high school and college at camps and at retreats when I remember having incredibly powerful times of worship. 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:13.440 Encountering the Lord. 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:17.440 Experiencing his presence in a deep way. 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:24.440 And still to this day, they're a reminder that God's presence is real and tangible. 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:27.440 But they always came to an end. 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:32.440 We always had to go back to normal, ordinary life. 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:34.440 And that's by design. 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.440 It's by design. 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:37.440 Mountaintop experiences are good. 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:41.440 They're a gift from the Lord, but they're never meant to stay on the mountaintop. 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:51.440 They're meant to empower us to take up our crosses and to follow Jesus into greater mission in the world. 00:22:51.440 --> 00:23:04.440 It's incredible if you read, if you continue reading, if you just read what happens after this scene, they go down the mountain and immediately, immediately Jesus is confronted with physical and spiritual need. 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:11.440 A father comes to Jesus crying out for help because his son is being oppressed by a demonic spirit. 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:17.440 And Jesus brings transformation into his son's life. 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:19.440 He rebukes the demonic spirit. 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:23.440 He heals him and transforms him. 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:30.440 Yes, Jesus is coming from glory and he's going to glory. 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:35.440 But he is going to get there through the cross. 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:47.440 The transfiguration gives Jesus an opportunity to clarify his mission, both for his disciples and for us, that his mission isn't to gather a people to withdraw from the world and to be a holy huddle. 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:54.440 But to gather a people who give themselves for the world, just like he did. 00:23:54.440 --> 00:24:02.440 A people who deny themselves, who take up their crosses and follow him into places of great physical and spiritual need. 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:14.440 And as a church, I think it's important to say that we should be hungry and eager for mountaintop experiences. 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:18.440 We should be hungry to encounter the Lord in worship. 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:21.440 To be renewed in our love and affection for Jesus. 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:24.440 To have deep experiences of the Holy Spirit. 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:27.440 Even to see God do miraculous things. 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:29.440 We should be hungry for that. 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:36.440 But we should always remember that God uses these experiences in our lives to send us back out on mission. 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:41.440 To take up our cross and to give ourselves for the life of the world. 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:44.440 A world full of physical and spiritual need. 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:48.440 So the transfiguration authenticates Jesus' identity. 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:50.440 It clarifies his mission. 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:54.440 Thirdly, finally, it previews our own transformation. 00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:57.440 It previews our own transformation. 00:24:57.440 --> 00:25:07.440 With a lot of movies now on streaming, a lot of people these days, including myself, don't go to the movie theaters as often. 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:12.440 Movie theater attendance is basically in decline across the board. 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:15.440 But honestly, it's kind of an experience that I sort of miss. 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:21.440 One of my favorite parts of going to the movies was actually watching the previews. 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:23.440 Watching trailers. 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:28.440 I'm the person who wanted to get there in time to be able to watch all the previews. 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:31.440 The previews are these short glimpses. 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:36.440 They're these tastes of the movies that are coming out next month or next year. 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:39.440 And in many ways, this is what the transfiguration is. 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.440 It's a trailer. 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.440 It's a preview. 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:44.440 It's a brief glimpse into the coming attractions. 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:47.440 And it shows us a glimpse. 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:50.440 It shows us a preview of the future glory of Jesus. 00:25:50.440 --> 00:26:07.440 In all three Gospel accounts just before this scene, Jesus also tells his disciples that one day he is going to come again in power and glory with his angels to judge the world and to bring his kingdom in his fullness. 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:12.440 The veil one day will finally be torn all the way back. 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:16.440 And the glory of Jesus will be fully revealed. 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:21.440 Not just for a select few on top of a mountain, but for the whole world to see. 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:30.440 And Jesus will be revealed as the Son of Man, as the rightful King, and as the judge of all the earth. 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:43.440 And depending on how we respond to Jesus in this life, this is a day of great dread and great terror. 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:46.440 Or it's a day of great hope. 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:48.440 Or it's a day of great hope. 00:26:48.440 --> 00:27:02.440 For those who have trusted Jesus to be their Lord and Savior, the transfiguration not only previews the coming glory of Jesus, but it previews our own glory. 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:17.440 Consider 1 John 3, verse 2, it says it like this, when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:20.440 We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:27.440 Those who are united to Jesus have the hope of being transformed into the same glory that he possesses. 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:33.440 And you may say, well that sounds great, that sounds awesome for the future, but what does that mean for the present? 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:35.440 What does that mean for my life today? 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:38.440 And the answer is everything. 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:40.440 It has everything to do with your life today. 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:47.440 The good news of Jesus, the good news of the Gospel isn't that Jesus forgives us our sins and sends us on our way. 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:56.440 It's that he intends, from start to finish, to transform us into beings who are like him. 00:27:56.440 --> 00:28:01.440 Glorious beyond comparison. 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:08.440 To make us people who are physically and spiritually radiant. 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:19.440 To make us into people whose beauty and whose splendor outshines the stars. 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:28.440 And this process of transformation into glory is what Jesus is doing in us right now through the Holy Spirit. 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:34.440 Consider the way that Paul writes about this in 2 Corinthians 3, verse 18. 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:48.440 And we all who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory are being transformed into his image with ever increasing glory. 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:52.440 Which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:53.440 Did you catch that? 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:56.440 What is the Holy Spirit doing in you? 00:28:56.440 --> 00:29:02.440 He is transforming you into someone who has ever increasing glory. 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:05.440 That is what God is doing in your life. 00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:21.440 And I believe that we live in a time, and I believe that we live in a cultural moment, where lots of people are desperate and hungry for a message of transformation. 00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:36.440 If you pay attention to the popular books that people read, if you pay attention to the podcasts that people listen to, the social media accounts that people follow, the YouTube channels that people watch. 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:48.440 I think a lot of people in our cultural moment know that something is deeply wrong, not just out there in the world, but they know that something is deeply wrong within them, and they're searching. 00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:52.440 They're longing for real change. 00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:58.440 They're longing for real transformation and healing. 00:29:58.440 --> 00:30:01.440 And perhaps that's you here this morning. 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:06.440 Perhaps that is the, one of the great longings of your heart. 00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:16.440 And I think one of the problems is that the, oftentimes the predominant message of our culture is that transformation happens primarily by looking inward. 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:19.440 By looking inward at yourself. 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:21.440 Find your true self. 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:22.440 Look within. 00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:25.440 Behold the glory within you. 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:27.440 And you will be transformed. 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:34.440 But scripture offers us a better message. 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:38.440 It offers us a more powerful, a more compelling message. 00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:42.440 It offers us a transfiguration message for the world. 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:47.440 It's a message of both present and future transformation. 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:52.440 Yes, transformation and change are possible, and they, it is attainable. 00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:57.440 But not by looking inside yourself. 00:30:57.440 --> 00:31:02.440 Don't look within yourself to be transformed. 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:07.440 Behold the glory of Jesus. 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:12.440 And his beauty, his majesty, his power. 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:17.440 Behold the glory of Jesus, and you will be transformed. 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:22.440 From one degree of glory to another. 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:29.440 We are transformed by beholding Jesus. 00:31:29.440 --> 00:31:34.440 And all the transformation that we experience in this life is like a trailer. 00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:35.440 It's a preview. 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:38.440 It's a, it's a foretaste. 00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:44.440 It's a dim, dim shadow of who God ultimately intends us to be. 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:48.440 Beings who are like Jesus. 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:50.440 Transfigured. 00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:53.440 Transformed. 00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:57.440 Glorious beyond comparison. 00:31:58.440 --> 00:32:01.440 And friends, this is why the transfiguration matters. 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:05.440 It matters because it authenticates Jesus' identity. 00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:08.440 It shows us that he really is who he says he is. 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:14.440 It clarifies his mission that his path to glory is through the cross. 00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:16.440 And so is ours. 00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:25.440 And finally, it previews our own transformation that we are destined for incomprehensible glory. 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:35.440 A little over a hundred years ago in 1918, there was a poet and a hymn writer named Helen Lemel. 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:48.440 And one day, Helen Lemel was standing on a street corner when someone handed her a little pamphlet written by a woman named Lilius Trotter, who was a missionary to Algeria. 00:32:48.440 --> 00:32:51.440 And some of you are familiar with her story. 00:32:52.440 --> 00:32:55.440 And Helen Lemel starts reading this essay by Trotter. 00:32:55.440 --> 00:33:08.440 And Trotter begins the essay by describing this experience that she had one morning, observing a dandelion in the woods as the sun was coming up over the horizon. 00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:26.440 And Trotter tells about this experience and she says, just as the sun was coming up over the horizon, in the corner of my eye, there shone out a great golden star. 00:33:26.440 --> 00:33:29.440 It was a dandelion. 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:32.440 And it was half withered. 00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:36.440 But it was full face to the sun. 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:45.440 And it had caught into its heart all of the glory that it could hold. 00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:50.440 And it was shining so radiantly that it seemed to be telling us something. 00:33:50.440 --> 00:34:02.440 That if Jesus, the son of righteousness, has risen in our hearts, then there is an ocean of grace and love and power lying all around us. 00:34:02.440 --> 00:34:07.440 An ocean to which all of the earthly light is but a drop. 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:15.440 And it is ready to transfigure us as the sunshine transfigured the dandelion. 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:22.440 And standing on a street corner, Helen Lemel was moved. 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:29.440 She was gripped by this vision of transformation in Christ. 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:36.440 And it led her to write these words of a hymn that may be familiar to some of us. 00:34:36.440 --> 00:34:42.440 Turn your eyes upon Jesus. 00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:46.440 Look full in his wonderful face. 00:34:46.440 --> 00:34:52.440 And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim. 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:58.440 In the light of his glory and grace. 00:34:58.440 --> 00:35:00.440 Let's pray together. 00:35:00.440 --> 00:35:04.440 Our Father in heaven, thank you that you give us 00:35:04.440 --> 00:35:08.440 a vision of the glory of your son. 00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:14.440 We pray that we would hear your voice speaking to us this morning. 00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:19.440 Would you transform us into your own glory? 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:25.440 Lord, would you give us a vision for who you've made us to be? 00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:31.440 People like you with ever increasing glory. 00:35:31.440 --> 00:35:35.440 Pray this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 00:35:35.440 --> 00:35:36.440 Amen. 00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:37.440 Amen. 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:37.440