WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:03.280 Well, we concluded in somewhat of an awkward place last week. 00:00:03.339 --> 00:00:05.900 We finished just at the end of verse 4. 00:00:06.560 --> 00:00:10.720 So today we're kind of parachuting in, as it were, to verse number 5, 00:00:10.759 --> 00:00:12.880 and we're going to finish all the way out to verse 13. 00:00:13.640 --> 00:00:15.640 Remember the way we've broken up this passage. 00:00:15.839 --> 00:00:20.280 In the first four verses, we considered what the disciples saw. 00:00:20.760 --> 00:00:23.600 As they're on the mountain, they see the transfiguration. 00:00:23.960 --> 00:00:27.960 They see Moses and Elijah, and they're in the midst of this great experience. 00:00:27.960 --> 00:00:32.439 And then in the remainder of the text, we will examine what they heard, 00:00:32.600 --> 00:00:35.820 and then also what they asked. 00:00:36.100 --> 00:00:40.160 So we've seen what they saw, what they heard, and what they asked. 00:00:40.240 --> 00:00:44.179 So let's jump into what they heard here with verses 5 through 8. 00:00:45.040 --> 00:00:49.000 Technically, the description of what they heard really begins where we left off in verse 4, 00:00:49.219 --> 00:00:52.579 and I won't rehash everything that we went through last week in regards to this, 00:00:52.920 --> 00:00:54.560 but let's just mention a couple of things. 00:00:54.640 --> 00:00:55.740 Look with me again at verse 4. 00:00:55.740 --> 00:01:01.900 There appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 00:01:02.859 --> 00:01:06.260 Now, remember, Luke tells us the nature of this conversation. 00:01:06.420 --> 00:01:10.820 You can find that in Luke chapter 9 if you want to just maybe make a note of that in your margin. 00:01:11.280 --> 00:01:16.400 Matthew 17 and Luke chapter 9 is where you will find the parallels to Mark's account. 00:01:17.219 --> 00:01:23.280 Luke wrote that they were talking about this exodus that Jesus would accomplish in Jerusalem. 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:26.159 And remember, what was the exodus all about? 00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:32.340 In the Old Testament, the exodus was the deliverance of God's chosen people from bondage in Egypt. 00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:37.180 What was the new exodus about that Jesus would accomplish in Jerusalem? 00:01:37.640 --> 00:01:43.420 Well, it's the deliverance of God's chosen people from the bondage of sin and death. 00:01:43.420 --> 00:01:53.780 So the conversation that Peter and James and John hear on the top of the mountain has everything to do with Jesus' crucifixion, 00:01:54.159 --> 00:01:57.280 suffering, and subsequent resurrection. 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:09.360 And the fact that it is Moses and Elijah that are discussing it with Jesus reminds us that the scriptures foretold a suffering Messiah. 00:02:09.860 --> 00:02:20.039 And this is important at this point in this passage because the messianic mission of Jesus is the part that the disciples misunderstood the most. 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:30.159 And what plays out in the remainder of these verses, all the way down to verse 13, is the fruit of the disciples' misconceptions. 00:02:31.719 --> 00:02:33.759 And of course, they would later look back on this. 00:02:33.840 --> 00:02:35.680 We've seen that in Peter's epistle already. 00:02:36.060 --> 00:02:44.120 Also, in some of John's writing, they would look back on this moment and interpret it correctly and understand more fully what was happening. 00:02:44.259 --> 00:02:46.799 But in this moment, they just didn't get it. 00:02:46.859 --> 00:02:49.199 They weren't making all the connections that they needed to make. 00:02:49.199 --> 00:02:55.560 But the first thing that they hear is the confirmation from Moses and Elijah of what Jesus had already told them. 00:02:55.919 --> 00:02:57.179 That he's going to go to Jerusalem. 00:02:57.319 --> 00:03:00.060 He's going to be betrayed by the people that should have never betrayed him. 00:03:00.479 --> 00:03:02.859 He's going to be executed by the Romans. 00:03:03.179 --> 00:03:05.259 And then he would raise from the dead. 00:03:05.459 --> 00:03:07.339 Okay, that's where we find our place in verse 5. 00:03:07.419 --> 00:03:07.899 Let's look at it. 00:03:08.139 --> 00:03:09.439 And Peter said to Jesus, 00:03:10.259 --> 00:03:13.039 Rabbi, it is good that we are here. 00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:15.539 Let us make three tents. 00:03:15.539 --> 00:03:20.060 One for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:22.759 For he did not know what to say. 00:03:23.359 --> 00:03:25.399 For they were terrified. 00:03:26.759 --> 00:03:28.899 I was talking with my brother earlier this week. 00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:32.259 And I was telling him where we were in our study right now in Mark. 00:03:32.519 --> 00:03:35.159 And he said, oh, I love preaching that passage. 00:03:35.399 --> 00:03:36.560 He said, it's so funny. 00:03:37.180 --> 00:03:38.680 He said, there's all this stuff going on. 00:03:38.680 --> 00:03:42.219 And what is it that Peter pipes up and says, Lord, it is good that we are here. 00:03:42.379 --> 00:03:44.040 Yeah, of course, Peter. 00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:45.020 It's good that we are here. 00:03:45.200 --> 00:03:47.939 We can sympathize with Peter in this moment, can't we? 00:03:48.020 --> 00:03:49.520 I know I can sympathize with Peter. 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:54.740 When I was growing up, my mom used to always tell me that she would say, 00:03:55.260 --> 00:03:58.540 Jared, your mouth is in drive, but your brain is in neutral. 00:03:58.840 --> 00:03:59.740 That's what she would say. 00:04:00.340 --> 00:04:02.360 And she would give me a hard time. 00:04:02.439 --> 00:04:03.960 She would say, Jared, you're not a bad kid. 00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:05.480 You just don't know how to shut your mouth. 00:04:05.479 --> 00:04:10.099 And so in that sense, I can certainly sympathize with Peter. 00:04:10.799 --> 00:04:14.399 Because we get to this really fantastic moment. 00:04:15.179 --> 00:04:18.639 Mark says that Peter didn't really know what to say, 00:04:18.939 --> 00:04:21.740 but that didn't stop him from saying something anyways. 00:04:22.819 --> 00:04:24.920 You get to Luke's account in Luke chapter 9. 00:04:25.219 --> 00:04:28.740 Luke says that even after he said it, he didn't even know what he said. 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:30.519 But that didn't stop him either. 00:04:31.319 --> 00:04:32.819 He just spoke. 00:04:32.819 --> 00:04:35.480 And it's a good lesson for us here. 00:04:36.259 --> 00:04:42.000 Because there are times when God wants us to look and listen. 00:04:42.500 --> 00:04:44.719 And there's nothing really for us to do. 00:04:45.659 --> 00:04:48.180 There's nothing really for us to say. 00:04:48.939 --> 00:04:51.459 But we often miss what he intends. 00:04:52.100 --> 00:04:59.560 Because we insist on interjecting with our own thoughts and opinions and conclusions anyway. 00:04:59.560 --> 00:05:02.759 Isn't that where Peter is here? 00:05:04.280 --> 00:05:05.920 What's Peter's job on the mountain? 00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:09.600 To look and to listen. 00:05:11.720 --> 00:05:17.060 And because he was so distracted by what was happening around him, 00:05:17.079 --> 00:05:19.959 because he was so distracted with his own thoughts, 00:05:20.040 --> 00:05:21.100 with his own conclusions, 00:05:21.279 --> 00:05:23.279 with the things that he wanted most, 00:05:23.279 --> 00:05:27.439 he completely missed what he was supposed to have heard. 00:05:29.299 --> 00:05:33.619 And that's a good principle for us to apply in a lot of different situations in life. 00:05:33.619 --> 00:05:38.559 But we need to certainly consider it in regards to our Christian growth. 00:05:38.560 --> 00:05:46.399 There are magnificent truths in the Bible that God wants you to see and to hear. 00:05:47.899 --> 00:05:49.620 But you will never grasp them 00:05:49.620 --> 00:05:55.560 if you continue to impose your own thoughts and opinions on the text instead. 00:05:56.540 --> 00:05:59.399 And I'm going to explain what Peter's getting at and why this applies. 00:05:59.519 --> 00:06:01.319 But before we even get there, we got to recognize 00:06:01.319 --> 00:06:04.120 all he needed to do was look and listen. 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:06.920 Listen, the connections could have been made 00:06:06.920 --> 00:06:11.459 if he would have just stopped and looked and listened. 00:06:12.439 --> 00:06:15.699 But because he had in his mind what he wanted Christ to be 00:06:15.699 --> 00:06:17.840 and what he wanted this kingdom to be, 00:06:17.980 --> 00:06:20.540 and because he wanted it to be something different 00:06:20.540 --> 00:06:22.079 than what Christ was saying it was, 00:06:22.220 --> 00:06:27.220 he speaks up and really the suggestion that he gives is not very good. 00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:32.199 It reminded me this week of a song that Andrew Peterson wrote several years ago. 00:06:32.199 --> 00:06:36.639 A song is called Always Good, and it's an encouraging song. 00:06:36.719 --> 00:06:40.719 But there's a part in one of the verses where he says, 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:44.719 I don't always know what you're doing. 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:47.079 Why don't you make it all plain? 00:06:48.159 --> 00:06:50.680 But you said you'd come back on the third day, 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:53.159 and Peter missed it again and again. 00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:55.219 And then he writes in this verse, 00:06:55.899 --> 00:06:58.500 so maybe the answer surrounds us, 00:06:58.899 --> 00:07:00.620 but we don't have eyes to see. 00:07:00.620 --> 00:07:04.420 Isn't that where these disciples are here? 00:07:05.340 --> 00:07:06.800 The answer's all around them. 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:09.759 Jesus has plainly told them. 00:07:10.699 --> 00:07:12.139 But then we go back to chapter 8, 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:14.340 and we see this illustration of the blind man 00:07:14.340 --> 00:07:17.579 and where are these men at right now in their Christian growth? 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:18.860 They can see. 00:07:19.540 --> 00:07:20.160 They can see. 00:07:20.600 --> 00:07:21.519 But it's not clear. 00:07:22.199 --> 00:07:23.800 And because it's not clear, 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:27.920 they're not grasping what they need to grasp in this moment. 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:33.180 And what Peter suggested to the Lord was that he and the other disciples 00:07:33.180 --> 00:07:34.600 construct three tents, 00:07:34.759 --> 00:07:35.460 one for Jesus, 00:07:35.640 --> 00:07:36.220 one for Moses, 00:07:36.340 --> 00:07:37.160 and one for Elijah. 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:41.340 And this suggestion really is influenced by the disciples' 00:07:42.020 --> 00:07:44.920 misunderstanding of Jesus' purpose. 00:07:44.920 --> 00:07:49.259 So they wholly believed in who Jesus was. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:52.879 They were convinced of Jesus' identity, 00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:55.220 but what they could not come to terms with 00:07:55.220 --> 00:07:58.319 was the thought of a suffering Messiah. 00:07:59.740 --> 00:08:04.939 Their minds were fixated on what their hopes were for the coming kingdom. 00:08:04.939 --> 00:08:07.899 And here for just a moment, 00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:10.439 Peter gets a glimpse of that kingdom. 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:12.660 That's what's happening on the mountain. 00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:14.879 The transfiguration, 00:08:15.079 --> 00:08:15.920 Moses and Elijah, 00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:16.939 there's this experience, 00:08:17.079 --> 00:08:17.439 and this is, 00:08:17.800 --> 00:08:19.040 he's thinking in that moment, 00:08:19.160 --> 00:08:19.399 okay, 00:08:19.540 --> 00:08:21.139 now we're talking Jesus. 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:24.800 Let's forget about the stuff in Jerusalem. 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:27.879 Now we're talking glowing garments, 00:08:28.459 --> 00:08:29.600 Moses and Elijah. 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:32.840 And what is this suggestion really about? 00:08:32.840 --> 00:08:33.879 Peter saying, 00:08:34.560 --> 00:08:36.340 it's good that we're here, 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:36.820 Jesus. 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:39.399 Why don't we just stay here? 00:08:40.200 --> 00:08:41.580 Why don't we just stay here? 00:08:41.820 --> 00:08:43.340 We'll build you a tent, 00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:44.879 and we'll build Moses a tent, 00:08:44.980 --> 00:08:45.860 and Elijah a tent, 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:48.300 and we'll just stay on the mountain. 00:08:49.060 --> 00:08:50.120 That's what he's suggesting. 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:50.920 Why? 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:53.259 Because he doesn't want to go to Jerusalem. 00:08:54.540 --> 00:08:57.340 He's not interested in a Messiah that would suffer. 00:08:57.940 --> 00:09:00.460 He's not interested in following someone, 00:09:00.460 --> 00:09:02.700 knowing that it means that he will, 00:09:02.840 --> 00:09:04.560 also suffer. 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:08.560 But he failed to miss that in this coming, 00:09:08.920 --> 00:09:10.379 this time around, 00:09:10.800 --> 00:09:13.360 Jesus was not coming to sit on a throne, 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:15.379 but to hang on a cross. 00:09:16.440 --> 00:09:20.100 He was not coming to establish a nation, 00:09:20.100 --> 00:09:23.379 but to save his people from their sins. 00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:25.560 That's what this coming was for, 00:09:25.700 --> 00:09:26.720 and Peter missed it, 00:09:26.780 --> 00:09:30.259 or at least he refused to accept it at this moment. 00:09:30.860 --> 00:09:31.279 And he's saying, 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:32.080 now we're talking. 00:09:32.259 --> 00:09:33.439 Let's just stay here. 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:35.200 Let's bring the kingdom now. 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:36.720 Let's not worry about the suffering part. 00:09:36.860 --> 00:09:38.740 Let's just bring the kingdom now. 00:09:38.779 --> 00:09:39.179 And he says, 00:09:39.379 --> 00:09:40.399 we'll do this thing. 00:09:41.220 --> 00:09:42.639 And there's a couple of issues here. 00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:46.559 Why is that such a problem for Peter to have suggested that? 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:47.679 Well, 00:09:47.719 --> 00:09:51.099 one is suggestion was in opposition to the will of God. 00:09:52.939 --> 00:09:57.699 Peter didn't realize that if he kept Jesus from going to the cross, 00:09:57.899 --> 00:10:00.779 he kept Jesus from paying for his sins. 00:10:01.779 --> 00:10:06.479 There's no redemption for Peter unless Jesus goes to Jerusalem. 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:12.519 There's no redemption for any of us unless Jesus goes to Jerusalem. 00:10:12.920 --> 00:10:15.879 It was the will of God the Father from eternity past 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:18.779 that the Son would save us from our sins, 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:20.639 that he would provide this atonement. 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:22.940 That's what Jesus is moving toward. 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:25.340 That was the witness of the scriptures. 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:27.720 That's the purpose of Moses and Elijah being there. 00:10:27.899 --> 00:10:29.180 But Peter wasn't interested in that. 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:32.100 And his suggestion goes against the will of God, 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:36.420 which reminds us of how Jesus confronted him earlier in chapter 8. 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:38.519 Get behind me, Satan. 00:10:39.420 --> 00:10:39.840 Why? 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:43.259 Because you are not setting your thoughts on the thing of God. 00:10:43.680 --> 00:10:45.879 You're setting your thoughts on the things of man. 00:10:46.220 --> 00:10:47.980 Peter, you just want what you want. 00:10:48.180 --> 00:10:50.159 You don't want what God wants. 00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:58.019 The second problem here is it seems that Peter is putting Jesus 00:10:58.019 --> 00:11:01.680 on an equal plane with Moses and Elijah. 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:07.500 As if somehow those three are equal, but they are not equal. 00:11:09.220 --> 00:11:11.000 Jesus is their Lord. 00:11:12.200 --> 00:11:13.980 Jesus is their creator. 00:11:15.920 --> 00:11:22.139 It was Jesus in his divine identity as being a part of the Trinity 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:28.460 that gave the law to Moses, that spoke through Elijah. 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:30.080 He was not their equal. 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:34.080 And that's what sets up what happens next. 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:39.220 He was ignorant of the significant errors of his statement. 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:43.680 I really think that's what Luke meant when Luke said that he didn't even know what he said. 00:11:43.780 --> 00:11:45.540 I think Peter caught up in this moment, 00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:51.480 doesn't even realize how bad the errors were in his suggestion. 00:11:51.480 --> 00:11:54.680 It's not clicking in his mind at this point. 00:11:55.180 --> 00:11:57.460 But it was because of those errors. 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:08.480 It was because of his insistence on his own hope and opinion that those errors resulted. 00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:10.759 And that's a warning for us. 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:15.580 When we impose our own thoughts and conclusions on the scripture, 00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:18.460 we're always going to end up in error. 00:12:19.460 --> 00:12:22.580 Instead, we need to let God's word shape us. 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:24.860 Let it shape our minds. 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:26.840 Let it shape our hearts. 00:12:27.179 --> 00:12:28.299 Not the other way around. 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:30.919 Well, let's look at verse 7 as we're moving along. 00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:32.599 What happens next? 00:12:33.719 --> 00:12:35.519 And a cloud overshadowed them. 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:38.059 A voice came out of the cloud. 00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:40.559 This is my beloved son. 00:12:41.539 --> 00:12:42.819 Listen to him. 00:12:44.559 --> 00:12:48.919 Suddenly looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. 00:12:48.919 --> 00:12:49.479 Only. 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:53.459 Now, I want to stop here for just a moment. 00:12:54.719 --> 00:13:04.539 And give us a second to try and contemplate the gravity of what is happening with Peter and James and John. 00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:13.639 The significance of this moment, verses 7 and 8, it's impossible to overstate it. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:18.960 Because it's not really possible for us to even fully comprehend it. 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:20.080 Think about it. 00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:21.159 I want to read the verses again. 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:22.439 Think about this. 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:29.480 Think as if you were Peter on that mountain and you've just made this statement. 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:32.319 And here's what happens all of a sudden. 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:38.639 A cloud, a bright cloud enveloped them. 00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:41.299 And a voice came out of the cloud. 00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:43.979 There's no person attached to the voice. 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:45.279 It's just a voice. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:48.799 And the voice says, this is my beloved son. 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:50.599 Listen to him. 00:13:51.979 --> 00:13:54.639 And then they look around and suddenly it's all over. 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:55.240 It's gone. 00:13:56.179 --> 00:13:57.599 There's only Jesus there. 00:13:58.559 --> 00:13:59.719 What's happening here? 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:07.740 This cloud that enveloped the men, we refer to it as the Shekinah glory of God. 00:14:09.339 --> 00:14:10.859 The Shekinah is not a biblical word. 00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:20.860 It's an extra biblical word that the Jews used to describe the divine presence of God manifested and dwelling on earth. 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:24.960 And there's only a couple of places in the Bible that we see this happening. 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:29.919 These disciples were experiencing God in a way that very few ever had. 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:33.200 Let me just mention a couple of these places and maybe you'd want to read them later. 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:34.460 I'll give you the references. 00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:39.879 In Exodus 40, we see this at the Old Testament tabernacle. 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:48.040 Technically, we could go back to creation as the Spirit of God overshadowed the earth as it moved across the waters. 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:49.340 It's really the same word there. 00:14:49.400 --> 00:14:51.600 It's the presence of God on earth in creation. 00:14:51.780 --> 00:14:56.379 But then we see it in this unique way in Exodus 40, the Old Testament tabernacle. 00:14:56.379 --> 00:15:00.919 Moses has been instructed to lead the children of Israel to construct it. 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:02.139 And here's what it says. 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:08.299 Then the cloud covered, that's the same word, overshadowed the tent of meeting. 00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:11.379 And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:18.100 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it. 00:15:18.100 --> 00:15:21.620 And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:26.600 This cloud in Exodus 40 is the cloud in Mark 9. 00:15:27.300 --> 00:15:34.040 This is the manifested presence of God, the Shekinah glory of God that has enveloped these men. 00:15:34.180 --> 00:15:39.659 And then we see it again a little bit later in the Old Testament at the dedication of Solomon's temple. 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.740 It's 1 Kings chapter 8. 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:43.340 1 Kings chapter 8. 00:15:43.560 --> 00:15:44.300 Here's what it says. 00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:50.279 When the priest came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord. 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:52.639 Same word, overshadowed, enveloped. 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:59.559 A cloud filled the house of the Lord so that the priest could not stand to minister because of the cloud. 00:16:00.059 --> 00:16:06.699 For the glory of the Lord filled, overshadowed, enveloped the house of the Lord. 00:16:08.059 --> 00:16:09.679 We see it again in the New Testament. 00:16:10.439 --> 00:16:11.699 Luke chapter 1. 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:13.479 Luke chapter 1. 00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:17.819 An angel appears to the virgin Mary. 00:16:18.719 --> 00:16:20.579 And the angel says to her, 00:16:21.339 --> 00:16:23.339 The Holy Spirit will come upon you. 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:31.599 And the power of the Most High will overshadow you, envelop you, fill you. 00:16:32.439 --> 00:16:37.939 Therefore, the child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God. 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:42.340 John writes it in John chapter 1 and verse 14. 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:47.960 The Word became flesh and tabernacled, dwelt among us. 00:16:48.040 --> 00:16:48.840 Speaking of Jesus. 00:16:49.180 --> 00:16:50.100 What is this? 00:16:50.280 --> 00:16:52.140 This is the presence of God. 00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:57.180 The tabernacle, the temple, the conception of Jesus. 00:16:57.179 --> 00:16:59.699 Jesus taking on flesh. 00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:02.519 It's the same thing that's happening to these men here. 00:17:03.959 --> 00:17:06.000 And I want you to notice their reaction. 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:09.980 Mark doesn't tell us what it is, but Matthew does. 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:11.399 Here's what Matthew says. 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:13.919 Chapter 17 and verse 6. 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:18.960 They fell on their faces and were terrified. 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:23.019 They fell on their faces and were terrified. 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.400 Why? 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:30.440 Because they are in the presence of God. 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:39.680 There are some people that have such a low view of the glory of God 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:43.740 that they would never expect, if confronted by Him in this way, 00:17:43.840 --> 00:17:45.680 to ever fall on their faces, 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:49.559 to ever be scared for their life. 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:54.240 And yet, every time we see someone in the Scriptures 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:56.759 confronted by the presence of God in this way, 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:58.259 that's their reaction. 00:17:58.259 --> 00:18:02.140 It's always to fall on their face. 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:04.680 It's always to cry out for mercy. 00:18:05.160 --> 00:18:05.559 Why? 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:07.980 Because of the holiness of God. 00:18:10.359 --> 00:18:11.799 Isaiah chapter 6. 00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:15.480 When Isaiah has this vision of God and God on His throne, 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:17.019 what is it that Isaiah says? 00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:18.379 Woe is me. 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:22.519 Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips, 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:24.099 and I am lost, 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:28.319 and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips, 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:32.879 for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts, 00:18:33.879 --> 00:18:36.199 was Isaiah's reaction. 00:18:37.419 --> 00:18:37.939 Woe. 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.779 Woe. 00:18:41.199 --> 00:18:43.039 It's not mere amazement. 00:18:43.719 --> 00:18:44.819 It's fear. 00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:46.619 It's fear. 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:52.299 And yes, I know that when we reference fear in the Bible, 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.899 we're meaning reverence and respect, 00:18:53.899 --> 00:18:56.319 but it's not just reverence and respect. 00:18:56.479 --> 00:18:59.159 There is a legitimate dynamic of fear 00:18:59.159 --> 00:19:03.239 when a sinful man appears before the holy God. 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:07.419 In Revelation chapter 1, 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:10.359 John is confronted by Jesus, 00:19:10.479 --> 00:19:12.639 the glorified Jesus on the Isle of Patmos. 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.460 And what does he say? 00:19:16.020 --> 00:19:17.540 Verse 17 of chapter 1, 00:19:17.580 --> 00:19:17.840 he says, 00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:18.720 When I saw him, 00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:21.900 I fell at his feet as though dead. 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:23.600 Why? 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:26.780 He's in the presence of God. 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:29.460 Remember in Exodus, 00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:31.560 when Moses went up on the mountain, 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:33.420 and all the people of Israel were to gather 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.620 at the base of the mountain, 00:19:34.620 --> 00:19:36.620 and God was going to speak to them. 00:19:38.340 --> 00:19:39.740 And there's the cloud, 00:19:40.100 --> 00:19:42.480 and there's the thunderings on the mountain. 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:44.720 And God speaks to the nation. 00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:47.280 Remember what the nation of Israel told Moses afterwards? 00:19:47.560 --> 00:19:48.120 They said, 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:50.460 We don't want to deal with that again. 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:51.980 We don't want to do that. 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:54.100 Why don't you talk to God, 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:56.180 and you just tell us what he says? 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:58.620 Because they were scared out of their minds. 00:19:59.020 --> 00:19:59.460 Why? 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:01.680 Because they were sinful people 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:04.080 before the presence of the holy God. 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:06.480 That's what the presence of God will do. 00:20:08.080 --> 00:20:09.740 Much of our problem today 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:11.740 is that we don't really know 00:20:11.740 --> 00:20:14.420 and understand the holiness of God. 00:20:15.120 --> 00:20:17.299 And we see it in two ways in our lives. 00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:19.440 First, we see it in our sinful passions. 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:22.579 Why was there fear before Isaiah? 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:24.720 Because he recognized he was sinful. 00:20:25.660 --> 00:20:27.859 He was everything that God is not. 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:29.640 And he may not, 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:30.660 in his own estimation, 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:32.440 been as sinful as other people 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:33.980 that were around him in Israel, 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:35.519 but he was sinful enough 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:37.220 because when he stood before God, 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:38.259 all he said was, 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:39.120 Woe is me. 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:40.460 Woe is me. 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:44.839 Our sinful passions give an indication 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:46.740 that we don't really understand God. 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:48.400 We don't really understand his holiness. 00:20:49.620 --> 00:20:50.660 And then we see it 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:52.460 in the complacency of our worship. 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:57.180 We get this idea 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:59.039 that the worship of God 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:02.620 is just to be casual in some way. 00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:06.699 And we see this manifested in churches 00:21:06.699 --> 00:21:09.359 where what is said to be 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:11.299 a gathering for worship 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:13.739 is a political rally 00:21:13.739 --> 00:21:17.519 or it's a concert of some kind. 00:21:17.659 --> 00:21:19.539 It's meant to pump you up 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:21.339 or it's meant to encourage you 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:22.319 with those around you 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:23.319 or to put a display 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:25.339 of what you can do 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:27.059 and whatever your gifts are 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:27.619 in this moment. 00:21:27.719 --> 00:21:29.099 But if we really understood 00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:30.399 the holiness of God, 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:31.800 if we really understood 00:21:31.800 --> 00:21:33.200 the majesty of God, 00:21:33.320 --> 00:21:34.860 if we were really confronted 00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:36.200 with the presence of God, 00:21:36.320 --> 00:21:38.360 we would probably play no music. 00:21:39.860 --> 00:21:41.660 We would probably do nothing 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:43.620 but fall on our faces 00:21:43.620 --> 00:21:44.880 before God 00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:46.800 and cry for mercy. 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.300 David Carr, 00:21:51.860 --> 00:21:53.720 the former NFL quarterback, 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:54.940 interestingly enough, 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:56.620 I know he's a great theologian 00:21:56.620 --> 00:21:57.400 that you would expect me 00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:58.600 to quote on a Sunday morning, 00:21:58.599 --> 00:22:02.119 but it was fantastic. 00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:03.839 He said, 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:06.199 the sun can burn out your eyes 00:22:06.199 --> 00:22:08.980 from 93 million miles away 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:11.139 and some of us think 00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:12.319 we can walk casually 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:13.279 into the presence 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:14.579 of its creator. 00:22:17.419 --> 00:22:18.119 R.C. Sproul, 00:22:18.199 --> 00:22:19.399 all those years of his ministry, 00:22:19.939 --> 00:22:21.439 his purpose was 00:22:21.439 --> 00:22:24.000 to try to help people 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:25.399 see through the scriptures 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:27.660 who God really is 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:30.540 to see the holiness of God 00:22:30.540 --> 00:22:32.560 so that when we see 00:22:32.560 --> 00:22:33.720 the holiness of God, 00:22:33.780 --> 00:22:35.300 we will see how actually 00:22:35.300 --> 00:22:37.680 sinfully depraved we are 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:39.680 and how much we need 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:40.420 his mercy. 00:22:41.780 --> 00:22:43.120 Oh, that we would pray 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:45.180 that God would give us 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:46.300 a glimpse of his holiness 00:22:46.300 --> 00:22:48.320 to show us 00:22:48.320 --> 00:22:49.860 who he is 00:22:49.860 --> 00:22:52.000 and he has. 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:54.099 It's in his word. 00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:57.000 We'll probably never experience 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.799 something like Peter 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.339 and James 00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:59.480 and John experience, 00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:00.599 but we don't have to. 00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:01.119 Why? 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:03.359 We have a more sure word. 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.920 That's what Peter said. 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:06.519 He said, 00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:07.660 yes, I had this thing, 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:09.259 but you have a more sure 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:10.140 word of prophecy. 00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:11.660 Go to the Bible. 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:12.900 Go to the scriptures 00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:13.740 and pray 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:15.700 that God would open your hearts. 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:17.180 Pray that God would open 00:23:17.180 --> 00:23:18.079 my heart 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:19.500 to see his glory, 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:20.859 to see his holiness, 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:22.459 to see his majesty. 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.659 We talk about this 00:23:23.659 --> 00:23:24.779 spiritual renewal weekend 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.359 coming up here 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:26.000 in a couple weeks. 00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:27.199 It will mean nothing 00:23:27.199 --> 00:23:29.079 if we leave these services 00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:30.439 night after night 00:23:30.439 --> 00:23:30.919 after night 00:23:30.919 --> 00:23:32.379 with no real vision 00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:33.399 of who God is. 00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:34.879 It will mean nothing. 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:38.719 Pray that God 00:23:38.719 --> 00:23:40.539 would help us understand 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.859 in whatever way we can 00:23:41.859 --> 00:23:44.039 and that that would be 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:45.199 an impact on our lives. 00:23:46.199 --> 00:23:47.179 And we're told that 00:23:47.179 --> 00:23:48.099 this voice thunders 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:48.779 from the cloud. 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:52.460 It was the voice 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:53.399 of God the Father. 00:23:54.399 --> 00:23:55.460 It was the same voice 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.099 that thundered 00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:57.359 at Jesus' baptism 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:58.579 and it said the same thing. 00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:01.279 This is my beloved son. 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:04.220 Listen to him. 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:08.480 Every time God is said 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.680 to have spoken audibly 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.539 in the New Testament, 00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:12.700 it was to acknowledge 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:15.619 that Jesus is his son 00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:17.439 and to command 00:24:17.439 --> 00:24:19.159 that we are to listen 00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:20.219 to his son. 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:22.639 All of the audible speech 00:24:22.639 --> 00:24:24.139 of God in the New Testament 00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:25.099 is that. 00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:27.279 And again, 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:28.579 R.C. Sproul is helpful here. 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:28.939 He said, 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.979 if God were to speak 00:24:29.979 --> 00:24:31.059 aloud today 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:31.799 from the heavens, 00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:33.259 you know what he would say? 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:36.059 He'd say to us, 00:24:36.459 --> 00:24:37.879 listen to my son. 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:39.740 my son 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:42.060 in whom I am well pleased. 00:24:44.060 --> 00:24:46.220 After finishing speaking, 00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:48.440 Matthew says 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:50.840 that Jesus walked over 00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:51.680 to the disciples 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:53.100 who have fallen 00:24:53.100 --> 00:24:54.060 on their faces 00:24:54.060 --> 00:24:54.720 in fear. 00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:58.280 Matthew says, 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.420 this is awesome. 00:25:00.600 --> 00:25:01.180 Matthew says, 00:25:01.280 --> 00:25:01.660 Jesus, 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:02.780 the son, 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:04.660 touches them. 00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:06.100 They're on their face. 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:08.219 He touches them. 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.879 And he says, 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.379 get up. 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:13.459 You don't have to be afraid. 00:25:15.199 --> 00:25:16.099 It's amazing. 00:25:16.959 --> 00:25:18.039 Is that not a picture 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:18.599 of the gospel? 00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:21.819 We're confronted 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:23.099 by the holiness of God 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:24.359 and we see our sin. 00:25:25.399 --> 00:25:26.759 We see our wretchedness 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.359 and what does that 00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:28.179 produce in us? 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:29.179 It can only produce 00:25:29.179 --> 00:25:29.740 one thing, 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:30.419 fear. 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.919 That's the only reaction 00:25:32.919 --> 00:25:33.559 we could have 00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.539 when we truly see 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.459 the holiness of God. 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:36.440 And then what does 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.299 the son do? 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.680 He touches us 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.440 and he says, 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.079 get up. 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.819 You don't have to be afraid. 00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:43.680 Look at me. 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:45.579 Follow me. 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.700 Believe me. 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.539 That was the point. 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:51.799 And Matthew says, 00:25:51.880 --> 00:25:52.920 the men at that moment, 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:54.299 after Jesus touches them, 00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:55.360 they lift up their heads 00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:56.019 and they look around 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:57.200 and Jesus' face 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.279 isn't shining anymore. 00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.819 His clothes are like 00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:00.579 they always are. 00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:02.559 Moses and Elijah 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.220 are gone. 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:05.920 The cloud is gone. 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:08.259 The voice is silent. 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:10.160 What are they left to see? 00:26:11.860 --> 00:26:14.079 Jesus only. 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:18.140 Jesus only. 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:19.900 Now listen, 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.559 that's the point 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.500 of the transfiguration. 00:26:23.140 --> 00:26:24.140 That's the point. 00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:27.180 Moses and Elijah, 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.700 the Old Testament scriptures, 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:32.519 what's their purpose here? 00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:34.860 To get us to see Jesus. 00:26:35.360 --> 00:26:36.779 To get us to see Jesus. 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.779 What's the purpose 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.900 of the voice? 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:42.460 The voice of God the Father? 00:26:43.340 --> 00:26:45.500 To get us to see Jesus. 00:26:47.100 --> 00:26:48.539 What then is the purpose 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.559 of the Holy Spirit? 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:51.259 The scriptures say, 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.799 it is to get us 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:54.259 to see Jesus. 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.579 Notice, 00:26:55.079 --> 00:26:55.680 notice, 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:56.940 God the Father 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:57.660 doesn't thunder 00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:59.119 with a voice that says, 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.680 this is my son, 00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:02.240 listen to me. 00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:03.319 He says, 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:04.480 listen to him. 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.279 He's not pulling 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:05.819 the attention 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:06.700 to God the Father. 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.519 The Holy Spirit 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.379 doesn't do that either. 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.359 He doesn't testify 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:10.140 of himself, 00:27:10.339 --> 00:27:11.859 he testifies of Christ. 00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:13.279 What do the scriptures do? 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.299 What is the point 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:15.099 of all of this? 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:16.400 That these disciples 00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:17.359 might look up 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:19.119 and see Jesus alone. 00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:20.160 What is the point 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:21.220 of this passage for us? 00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:22.539 That we may look up 00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:24.379 and see Jesus, 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:26.659 Jesus alone. 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:29.139 And then that moves us 00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:30.299 on to this really 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:32.079 kind of enigmatic part 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:33.119 of this passage 00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:35.839 in verses 9 through 13, 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:37.339 which is under the heading 00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:37.920 in my notes 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:39.319 is what they asked. 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:41.259 So we have what they saw, 00:27:41.399 --> 00:27:42.440 what they heard, 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.500 and now we see 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:45.399 what they asked 00:27:45.399 --> 00:27:47.599 in verses 9 through 13. 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.639 Now I just said 00:27:49.639 --> 00:27:51.359 it's a bit enigmatic here. 00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:52.879 That's not to say 00:27:52.879 --> 00:27:53.419 that we cannot 00:27:53.419 --> 00:27:54.279 understand the verses. 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.259 It would just take 00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:55.919 a little bit of work 00:27:55.919 --> 00:27:57.199 for us to connect 00:27:57.199 --> 00:27:57.879 the dots here 00:27:57.879 --> 00:27:58.559 of what's happening. 00:27:59.879 --> 00:28:01.759 And I can't delve 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:03.079 into all the complexities here, 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:04.219 but I think that 00:28:04.219 --> 00:28:05.459 if you'll just hang with me 00:28:05.459 --> 00:28:06.359 for a couple more moments, 00:28:06.719 --> 00:28:08.479 I think we can get it, okay? 00:28:08.959 --> 00:28:09.779 Look at verse 9. 00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:12.539 As they were coming 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.299 down the mountain, 00:28:13.959 --> 00:28:14.839 he charged them 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:16.359 to tell no one 00:28:16.359 --> 00:28:17.279 what they had seen 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:19.359 until the Son of Man 00:28:19.359 --> 00:28:20.500 had risen from the dead. 00:28:21.439 --> 00:28:22.579 So they kept the matter 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:23.359 to themselves, 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:26.000 questioning what this 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:27.079 rising from the dead 00:28:27.079 --> 00:28:28.179 might mean. 00:28:29.379 --> 00:28:30.379 Now I love that Mark 00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:32.279 gives us a glimpse 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:34.319 into this conversation 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:36.399 because we're not often told 00:28:36.399 --> 00:28:37.119 in the Gospels 00:28:37.119 --> 00:28:38.699 of how the disciples 00:28:38.699 --> 00:28:39.659 were processing 00:28:39.659 --> 00:28:40.819 the things that they saw, 00:28:41.179 --> 00:28:42.500 how they were processing 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.500 the things that they heard. 00:28:43.639 --> 00:28:44.899 We see it from time to time, 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:46.400 but not very often. 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.140 The Gospels move 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:47.920 very quickly, don't they? 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.259 We get here 00:28:50.259 --> 00:28:52.560 and Matthew and Mark 00:28:52.560 --> 00:28:53.920 both kind of give us 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:55.100 a glimpse as to 00:28:55.100 --> 00:28:56.820 how the disciples 00:28:56.820 --> 00:28:58.519 responded to this event. 00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:00.560 And so it says 00:29:00.560 --> 00:29:01.440 that as they were hiking 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.140 down the mountain, 00:29:02.580 --> 00:29:04.380 they began to ask Jesus 00:29:04.380 --> 00:29:05.420 some questions. 00:29:05.580 --> 00:29:06.500 And it just makes me wonder, 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:07.440 how long did it take? 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:09.900 It's a pretty magnificent event. 00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:10.880 I would imagine 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.680 there's some silence 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:12.400 for a little while. 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:15.280 Peter's just been rebuked again. 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.400 I would imagine 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:17.200 from him especially 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:17.720 there's probably 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.600 a little bit of silence. 00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:19.380 But eventually 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:20.860 the silence is broken. 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:23.960 And they begin to discuss 00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:25.240 what has transpired, 00:29:25.840 --> 00:29:27.720 which leads to Jesus 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:28.940 quickly commanding them 00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:30.180 not to tell anyone. 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:33.240 Now that's a tough order, 00:29:33.580 --> 00:29:34.080 isn't it? 00:29:35.100 --> 00:29:36.380 And we see it all the time 00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:37.060 with Jesus, right? 00:29:37.100 --> 00:29:37.700 And we've talked about 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.300 all the reasons 00:29:38.300 --> 00:29:39.920 why Jesus often 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:40.960 instructed people 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.880 not to say anything 00:29:41.880 --> 00:29:42.460 about the things 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:43.660 that he had done. 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.220 We understand 00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:44.980 all of those things. 00:29:45.020 --> 00:29:45.460 There's no reason 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:46.240 to go through them again. 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.320 But it's a tough order. 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:48.380 Here's these three disciples. 00:29:48.520 --> 00:29:49.040 They've had the most 00:29:49.040 --> 00:29:50.020 magnificent experience 00:29:50.020 --> 00:29:50.620 of their life. 00:29:51.080 --> 00:29:51.980 And now they can't even 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:52.620 tell their buddies. 00:29:53.280 --> 00:29:53.980 At least not yet. 00:29:55.260 --> 00:29:55.860 And of course, 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:56.640 they obeyed that. 00:29:57.040 --> 00:29:57.980 They obeyed the command. 00:29:58.960 --> 00:29:59.520 Jesus said 00:29:59.520 --> 00:30:00.500 not to say anything 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:02.420 until the Son of Man 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:03.580 had risen from the dead. 00:30:05.040 --> 00:30:05.800 And so, 00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:06.940 they still didn't understand 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:08.220 the purpose of the cross. 00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:10.339 Jesus knew 00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:11.980 that their spiritual sight 00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:13.240 would remain unclear 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.819 until after the resurrection. 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:16.460 And so, 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.339 to share the news 00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:18.500 of the transfiguration 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:20.259 would only add 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.299 to the misconceptions 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:22.079 of the people. 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:23.579 It's only going to 00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:24.980 potentially add obstacles 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:26.019 on Jesus' path 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.539 to the cross. 00:30:26.620 --> 00:30:27.400 It was just necessary 00:30:27.400 --> 00:30:28.900 that they not say anything yet. 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:29.500 But they would. 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.720 Just not yet. 00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:32.640 Well, 00:30:32.700 --> 00:30:33.660 that led to a question 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.440 and a discussion 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:35.779 amongst the three disciples. 00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:37.819 We really want to tell people. 00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:40.000 He said not to tell people 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:41.059 until the Son of Man 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:42.039 is risen from the dead. 00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:42.940 So, 00:30:43.059 --> 00:30:43.879 what does this rising 00:30:43.879 --> 00:30:44.859 of the dead actually mean? 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:46.579 What is Jesus getting on 00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:47.099 about here? 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:48.700 The discussion that ensues 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:50.259 between the three men. 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.519 And here, 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:53.399 it's important for us 00:30:53.399 --> 00:30:54.079 to understand 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:56.500 what their preconceived 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:57.960 idea of resurrection was. 00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:00.139 That's the question 00:31:00.139 --> 00:31:01.039 that they asked Jesus 00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:02.779 or that they were 00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:03.599 asking one another. 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:06.939 And the preconceived notion 00:31:06.939 --> 00:31:07.719 for these men 00:31:07.719 --> 00:31:09.159 was not that they were 00:31:09.159 --> 00:31:10.179 trying to figure out 00:31:10.179 --> 00:31:11.819 resurrection in general. 00:31:12.379 --> 00:31:13.939 They believed in a future 00:31:13.939 --> 00:31:15.579 resurrection of all people. 00:31:15.959 --> 00:31:16.459 The Jews, 00:31:16.619 --> 00:31:17.299 for the most part, 00:31:17.659 --> 00:31:18.339 believed that. 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:20.199 From Daniel chapter 12. 00:31:21.359 --> 00:31:23.259 They also had seen Jesus 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:24.599 raise other people 00:31:24.599 --> 00:31:25.439 from the dead. 00:31:26.159 --> 00:31:26.539 So, 00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:27.319 it's not that they just 00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:28.019 didn't really understand 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:28.439 resurrection. 00:31:28.899 --> 00:31:29.659 It's that they had 00:31:29.659 --> 00:31:31.619 no capacity in their mind 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:33.979 for a suffering Messiah 00:31:33.979 --> 00:31:35.059 that would need 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:35.919 resurrection. 00:31:36.939 --> 00:31:37.899 That thought just 00:31:37.899 --> 00:31:39.099 doesn't enter into their mind. 00:31:39.479 --> 00:31:39.579 So, 00:31:39.699 --> 00:31:40.659 even though Jesus 00:31:40.659 --> 00:31:41.599 had plainly said it, 00:31:41.679 --> 00:31:42.579 they're not grasping it. 00:31:42.719 --> 00:31:43.439 Perhaps they're just 00:31:43.439 --> 00:31:44.699 not receiving it. 00:31:45.659 --> 00:31:46.039 And so, 00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:46.839 they're discussing 00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:47.439 with one another, 00:31:47.679 --> 00:31:47.839 well, 00:31:47.919 --> 00:31:48.399 what does he mean 00:31:48.399 --> 00:31:49.059 by this resurrection 00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:50.479 and when can we tell people? 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:51.939 And it seems that 00:31:51.939 --> 00:31:52.719 they've settled in 00:31:52.719 --> 00:31:53.399 on this idea 00:31:53.399 --> 00:31:54.699 that what Jesus 00:31:54.699 --> 00:31:55.959 was referring to 00:31:55.959 --> 00:31:57.739 was this general 00:31:57.739 --> 00:31:59.299 resurrection of all people 00:31:59.299 --> 00:32:00.339 to judgment. 00:32:01.419 --> 00:32:02.519 And this is what leads 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:03.500 to their next question. 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.000 Verse 11. 00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:07.379 And they asked him, 00:32:07.899 --> 00:32:09.859 why do the scribes say 00:32:09.859 --> 00:32:12.139 that first Elijah must come? 00:32:12.919 --> 00:32:13.919 And he said to them, 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:15.039 Elijah does come first 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:16.240 to restore all things. 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:17.879 And how is it written 00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:18.680 to the Son of Man 00:32:18.680 --> 00:32:19.599 that he should suffer 00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:20.299 many things 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:21.460 and be treated 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:22.180 with contempt? 00:32:23.079 --> 00:32:23.919 But I tell you 00:32:23.919 --> 00:32:25.180 that Elijah has come 00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:26.700 and they did to him 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:27.599 whatever they pleased 00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:28.980 as it is written 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:30.099 of him. 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:33.279 This is a weird question 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:33.879 now, isn't it? 00:32:34.599 --> 00:32:35.740 Because what they're discussing 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:36.339 with one another 00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:36.980 is resurrection. 00:32:37.659 --> 00:32:38.779 Why didn't they ask Jesus 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:39.579 about resurrection? 00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:40.939 Because they thought 00:32:40.939 --> 00:32:41.980 they figured that part out. 00:32:43.379 --> 00:32:44.279 They were certain 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:44.699 Jesus, 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:46.740 Jesus can't be talking 00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:47.719 about himself. 00:32:48.199 --> 00:32:49.099 This has to be 00:32:49.099 --> 00:32:49.619 something else. 00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:51.059 They're settling in 00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:52.139 on this general 00:32:52.139 --> 00:32:53.480 resurrection of all people 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:54.659 to the judgment 00:32:54.659 --> 00:32:55.779 at the end of the age. 00:32:55.779 --> 00:32:57.599 And so their question 00:32:57.599 --> 00:32:59.639 then is not so much 00:32:59.639 --> 00:33:00.539 about resurrection, 00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:02.059 it's about this 00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:03.460 Elijah figure. 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:07.399 The question has to do 00:33:07.399 --> 00:33:08.059 with the fulfillment 00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:08.980 of a prophecy 00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:10.920 from the prophet 00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:11.720 Malachi. 00:33:12.799 --> 00:33:13.940 Now God had spoken 00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:14.720 through Malachi 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:15.779 to say that 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:16.960 a forerunner 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:18.460 would precede 00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:19.039 the Messiah 00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:20.539 and prepare the way 00:33:20.539 --> 00:33:21.339 for his arrival. 00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:22.740 And you can write 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.660 these references down. 00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:24.720 We would find it 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:25.680 in Malachi 3 00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:26.540 and verse 1 00:33:26.540 --> 00:33:27.680 and then again 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:28.860 in Malachi 4 00:33:28.860 --> 00:33:30.519 and verse 5. 00:33:30.880 --> 00:33:31.380 And let me just 00:33:31.380 --> 00:33:32.019 read them to you. 00:33:32.380 --> 00:33:33.160 Malachi 3, 00:33:33.380 --> 00:33:34.279 here's what it says, 00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:34.820 Behold, 00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:36.240 I send my messenger, 00:33:36.820 --> 00:33:37.700 he will prepare 00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:38.940 the way before me. 00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:40.540 And the Lord 00:33:40.540 --> 00:33:41.440 whom you seek 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:42.279 will suddenly 00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:43.200 come to his temple. 00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:44.600 The messenger 00:33:44.600 --> 00:33:45.420 of the covenant 00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:46.560 in whom you delight, 00:33:47.140 --> 00:33:47.560 behold, 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:49.160 he is coming, 00:33:49.360 --> 00:33:50.519 says the Lord of hosts. 00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:52.480 So that's chapter 3 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.079 and verse 1. 00:33:53.380 --> 00:33:53.920 A messenger 00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:55.079 will precede the Messiah. 00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:56.980 And then in chapter 4 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.960 and verse 5, 00:33:58.660 --> 00:34:00.240 Malachi summarizes 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:01.059 his prophecy 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:02.480 and he says 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.519 that this messenger 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:05.059 will be Elijah. 00:34:05.519 --> 00:34:06.299 Let me read it to you. 00:34:06.860 --> 00:34:07.380 Behold, 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:08.480 I will send you 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.880 Elijah the prophet 00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:11.539 before the great 00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:12.219 and awesome day 00:34:12.219 --> 00:34:13.199 of the Lord comes. 00:34:13.760 --> 00:34:14.420 He will turn 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:14.880 the hearts 00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:15.480 of the fathers 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:16.240 to their children, 00:34:16.760 --> 00:34:17.219 the hearts 00:34:17.219 --> 00:34:17.780 of the children 00:34:17.780 --> 00:34:18.619 to their fathers, 00:34:19.139 --> 00:34:19.820 lest I come 00:34:19.820 --> 00:34:20.760 and strike the land 00:34:20.760 --> 00:34:21.440 with the decree 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:22.820 of utter destruction. 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:24.880 So the question 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:26.040 that the disciples have 00:34:26.040 --> 00:34:27.940 is related 00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:28.900 to this prophecy 00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:29.720 for Malachi. 00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:31.900 The Jews believed 00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:33.060 that before the Messiah 00:34:33.060 --> 00:34:33.600 would come 00:34:33.600 --> 00:34:34.560 and set up the kingdom, 00:34:35.080 --> 00:34:36.600 that Elijah himself, 00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:37.440 the Old Testament 00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:38.320 prophet himself, 00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:39.580 would come back, 00:34:39.840 --> 00:34:40.680 would return, 00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:42.620 and that he would do 00:34:42.620 --> 00:34:44.420 this preparatory work. 00:34:44.700 --> 00:34:45.300 The language 00:34:45.300 --> 00:34:46.220 is to restore 00:34:46.220 --> 00:34:46.840 all things. 00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:47.620 It's really a reference 00:34:47.619 --> 00:34:49.239 to preparing the way. 00:34:49.359 --> 00:34:49.759 That idea 00:34:49.759 --> 00:34:51.000 of the herald 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:51.480 that would go 00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:52.159 before a king 00:34:52.159 --> 00:34:53.539 and prepare the way 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:54.139 is really what 00:34:54.139 --> 00:34:55.819 the intention 00:34:55.819 --> 00:34:56.859 of that phrasing is. 00:34:57.199 --> 00:34:58.500 They thought Elijah 00:34:58.500 --> 00:34:59.279 literally was going 00:34:59.279 --> 00:34:59.699 to come back. 00:34:59.940 --> 00:35:00.539 The disciples 00:35:00.539 --> 00:35:01.179 would have assumed 00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:01.819 this as well. 00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:04.039 But they couldn't 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:04.819 figure out, 00:35:04.900 --> 00:35:06.440 though they believed 00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:06.980 in Jesus 00:35:06.980 --> 00:35:08.139 that he was indeed 00:35:08.139 --> 00:35:08.719 the Messiah, 00:35:09.019 --> 00:35:10.179 they couldn't figure out 00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:11.019 this whole bit 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:11.960 about Elijah. 00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:14.039 And so that's 00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:14.739 what they ask. 00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:16.239 They're thinking 00:35:16.239 --> 00:35:16.900 about the kingdom, 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.360 they're thinking 00:35:18.360 --> 00:35:19.720 the kingdom is coming now. 00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:20.680 They're still confused 00:35:20.680 --> 00:35:21.200 about that. 00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:21.840 And they say, 00:35:21.900 --> 00:35:22.160 Jesus, 00:35:22.380 --> 00:35:23.579 if you're the Messiah 00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:24.160 and we believe 00:35:24.160 --> 00:35:24.740 that you are, 00:35:24.880 --> 00:35:25.720 what's this whole bit 00:35:25.720 --> 00:35:26.340 about Elijah? 00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.320 Where's Elijah? 00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:28.700 We thought Elijah 00:35:28.700 --> 00:35:29.720 was supposed to come. 00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:31.360 And we just saw him 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:31.900 on the mountain 00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:33.119 and we've never 00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:33.840 seen him before. 00:35:34.599 --> 00:35:36.820 So what's the whole deal 00:35:36.820 --> 00:35:38.380 with Elijah? 00:35:39.039 --> 00:35:39.260 Now, 00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:42.139 Jesus answers them 00:35:42.139 --> 00:35:42.700 in a way 00:35:42.700 --> 00:35:43.760 that's a little bit unique. 00:35:44.300 --> 00:35:45.139 But before we can 00:35:45.139 --> 00:35:46.139 really understand 00:35:46.139 --> 00:35:46.960 verse 12 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:47.920 in this question 00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:48.960 that Jesus asked, 00:35:49.519 --> 00:35:50.379 let's start 00:35:50.379 --> 00:35:51.379 with verse 13. 00:35:52.960 --> 00:35:54.420 Jesus tells them, 00:35:55.119 --> 00:35:55.739 essentially, 00:35:56.719 --> 00:35:57.719 John the Baptist 00:35:57.719 --> 00:35:59.559 is the Elijah 00:35:59.559 --> 00:36:01.079 that Malachi 00:36:01.079 --> 00:36:02.179 was referring to. 00:36:04.099 --> 00:36:05.159 And so at this point 00:36:05.159 --> 00:36:05.900 in the conversation, 00:36:06.099 --> 00:36:06.879 Matthew wrote 00:36:06.879 --> 00:36:08.699 in chapter 17 00:36:08.699 --> 00:36:09.379 and verse 13 00:36:09.379 --> 00:36:10.440 that the disciples 00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:10.940 got it. 00:36:11.000 --> 00:36:11.759 It clicked with them, 00:36:11.760 --> 00:36:11.960 okay, 00:36:12.040 --> 00:36:13.000 Jesus is referring 00:36:13.000 --> 00:36:14.640 to John the Baptist. 00:36:14.640 --> 00:36:15.300 That must be 00:36:15.300 --> 00:36:16.200 the explanation. 00:36:17.140 --> 00:36:17.520 And so though 00:36:17.520 --> 00:36:18.320 the Jews were looking 00:36:18.320 --> 00:36:19.060 for this literal 00:36:19.060 --> 00:36:19.920 return of Elijah, 00:36:20.680 --> 00:36:21.400 Jesus said 00:36:21.400 --> 00:36:22.180 that this prophecy 00:36:22.180 --> 00:36:22.960 was fulfilled 00:36:22.960 --> 00:36:23.920 in John 00:36:23.920 --> 00:36:25.220 who had come 00:36:25.220 --> 00:36:25.880 in the spirit 00:36:25.880 --> 00:36:26.800 and power 00:36:26.800 --> 00:36:27.880 of Elijah. 00:36:28.040 --> 00:36:28.560 It was a matter 00:36:28.560 --> 00:36:29.440 of interpretation. 00:36:30.140 --> 00:36:31.100 They had interpreted 00:36:31.100 --> 00:36:32.200 it in a literal way 00:36:32.200 --> 00:36:33.080 and it didn't quite 00:36:33.080 --> 00:36:34.280 mean it in a literal way 00:36:34.280 --> 00:36:34.860 when God gave 00:36:34.860 --> 00:36:35.400 the prophecy. 00:36:35.640 --> 00:36:35.800 Now, 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:36.540 the New Testament 00:36:36.540 --> 00:36:37.480 is clear about this. 00:36:37.980 --> 00:36:38.360 Let me give you 00:36:38.360 --> 00:36:39.200 a couple of references. 00:36:39.199 --> 00:36:40.899 When the angel 00:36:40.899 --> 00:36:42.379 appeared to Zechariah 00:36:42.379 --> 00:36:43.599 to tell him 00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:45.019 that his wife 00:36:45.019 --> 00:36:45.439 Elizabeth 00:36:45.439 --> 00:36:47.239 would bear a child 00:36:47.239 --> 00:36:48.179 and to name him 00:36:48.179 --> 00:36:48.739 John, 00:36:49.379 --> 00:36:50.299 here's what the angel 00:36:50.299 --> 00:36:50.739 said. 00:36:51.039 --> 00:36:51.899 Luke chapter 1, 00:36:52.599 --> 00:36:53.460 He will turn 00:36:53.460 --> 00:36:54.359 many of the children 00:36:54.359 --> 00:36:54.879 of Israel 00:36:54.879 --> 00:36:55.539 to the Lord 00:36:55.539 --> 00:36:56.139 their God. 00:36:56.799 --> 00:36:57.719 He will go 00:36:57.719 --> 00:36:58.500 before him 00:36:58.500 --> 00:36:59.219 in the spirit 00:36:59.219 --> 00:37:00.059 and power 00:37:00.059 --> 00:37:00.939 of Elijah 00:37:00.939 --> 00:37:02.559 to turn the hearts 00:37:02.559 --> 00:37:03.179 of the fathers 00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:03.939 to the children 00:37:03.939 --> 00:37:05.579 and the disobedient 00:37:05.579 --> 00:37:06.259 to the wisdom 00:37:06.259 --> 00:37:07.179 of the just 00:37:07.179 --> 00:37:08.279 to make ready 00:37:08.279 --> 00:37:08.960 for the Lord 00:37:08.960 --> 00:37:09.880 a people 00:37:09.880 --> 00:37:10.599 prepared. 00:37:10.920 --> 00:37:11.920 We just heard 00:37:11.920 --> 00:37:12.420 that language 00:37:12.420 --> 00:37:12.980 in Malachi. 00:37:13.619 --> 00:37:14.420 The angel 00:37:14.420 --> 00:37:15.440 is telling Zechariah 00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:15.920 your son 00:37:15.920 --> 00:37:16.320 is going to be 00:37:16.320 --> 00:37:16.820 that one. 00:37:17.220 --> 00:37:18.059 He's the Elijah. 00:37:18.820 --> 00:37:18.940 Okay? 00:37:19.619 --> 00:37:20.440 After John 00:37:20.440 --> 00:37:20.900 is born, 00:37:22.220 --> 00:37:23.699 his father 00:37:23.699 --> 00:37:24.400 Zechariah 00:37:24.400 --> 00:37:25.659 has this doxology, 00:37:25.820 --> 00:37:26.199 this moment 00:37:26.199 --> 00:37:26.720 of praise. 00:37:27.139 --> 00:37:27.960 In Luke chapter 1 00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:28.340 the Bible 00:37:28.340 --> 00:37:28.960 says that he was 00:37:28.960 --> 00:37:29.880 filled with the Holy Spirit 00:37:29.880 --> 00:37:30.800 and here's what he said. 00:37:31.260 --> 00:37:32.220 And you child, 00:37:32.519 --> 00:37:33.320 this is in reference 00:37:33.320 --> 00:37:33.860 to John, 00:37:34.240 --> 00:37:34.860 will be called 00:37:34.860 --> 00:37:35.440 the prophet 00:37:35.440 --> 00:37:36.320 of the Most High. 00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:37.800 You will go 00:37:37.800 --> 00:37:38.960 before the Lord 00:37:38.960 --> 00:37:39.539 to prepare 00:37:39.539 --> 00:37:40.340 his ways 00:37:40.340 --> 00:37:41.700 to give knowledge 00:37:41.700 --> 00:37:42.440 of salvation 00:37:42.440 --> 00:37:43.320 to his people 00:37:43.320 --> 00:37:43.980 and the forgiveness 00:37:43.980 --> 00:37:44.820 of their sins 00:37:44.820 --> 00:37:46.200 because of the tender 00:37:46.200 --> 00:37:47.240 mercy of our God. 00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:48.940 And then Jesus 00:37:48.940 --> 00:37:49.780 confirmed this 00:37:49.780 --> 00:37:50.700 in Matthew 11. 00:37:51.840 --> 00:37:52.680 For all the prophets 00:37:52.680 --> 00:37:53.380 and the law 00:37:53.380 --> 00:37:54.800 prophesied until John 00:37:54.800 --> 00:37:56.019 and if you are willing 00:37:56.019 --> 00:37:56.860 to accept it, 00:37:56.940 --> 00:37:57.580 Jesus said, 00:37:57.960 --> 00:37:59.000 he is Elijah 00:37:59.000 --> 00:38:00.039 who is to come. 00:38:00.160 --> 00:38:00.600 And then he says, 00:38:00.660 --> 00:38:01.519 he who has ears to hear, 00:38:01.600 --> 00:38:02.039 let him hear. 00:38:02.300 --> 00:38:02.840 In other words, 00:38:02.880 --> 00:38:03.640 if you will see 00:38:03.640 --> 00:38:04.820 who John really is, 00:38:04.820 --> 00:38:05.220 you'll see 00:38:05.220 --> 00:38:06.160 who I really am. 00:38:06.420 --> 00:38:07.200 That's the whole point 00:38:07.200 --> 00:38:07.600 of this. 00:38:08.120 --> 00:38:08.780 That's what Jesus 00:38:08.780 --> 00:38:09.460 is getting at 00:38:09.460 --> 00:38:10.080 in this question. 00:38:12.420 --> 00:38:13.140 And then we have 00:38:13.140 --> 00:38:13.539 to ask, 00:38:13.600 --> 00:38:14.740 if it was so plain 00:38:14.740 --> 00:38:16.200 that John the Baptist 00:38:16.200 --> 00:38:18.019 was this Elijah figure, 00:38:18.360 --> 00:38:19.559 why didn't the disciples 00:38:19.559 --> 00:38:20.480 understand it? 00:38:23.039 --> 00:38:23.660 It's clear, 00:38:23.760 --> 00:38:24.059 isn't it? 00:38:25.940 --> 00:38:26.860 They didn't want 00:38:26.860 --> 00:38:27.519 a Messiah 00:38:27.519 --> 00:38:28.360 who would suffer 00:38:28.360 --> 00:38:29.920 and they had 00:38:29.920 --> 00:38:30.760 no capacity 00:38:30.760 --> 00:38:31.620 in their mind 00:38:31.619 --> 00:38:33.460 for a messenger, 00:38:33.799 --> 00:38:34.559 a forerunner 00:38:34.559 --> 00:38:35.380 that would suffer. 00:38:36.619 --> 00:38:37.619 Just like they had 00:38:37.619 --> 00:38:38.559 no capacity 00:38:38.559 --> 00:38:39.239 in their mind 00:38:39.239 --> 00:38:40.199 for followers 00:38:40.199 --> 00:38:41.019 of the Messiah 00:38:41.019 --> 00:38:42.019 to suffer. 00:38:42.480 --> 00:38:43.400 Suffering was not 00:38:43.400 --> 00:38:44.440 a part of the equation 00:38:44.440 --> 00:38:44.920 for them. 00:38:45.559 --> 00:38:46.699 The whole equation 00:38:46.699 --> 00:38:47.139 for them 00:38:47.139 --> 00:38:47.759 with the kingdom 00:38:47.759 --> 00:38:48.859 was blessing 00:38:48.859 --> 00:38:49.779 and the nation 00:38:49.779 --> 00:38:50.619 being established 00:38:50.619 --> 00:38:52.019 and all of the enemies 00:38:52.019 --> 00:38:52.579 of Israel 00:38:52.579 --> 00:38:54.599 being demolished 00:38:54.599 --> 00:38:56.179 and the Messiah 00:38:56.179 --> 00:38:56.799 reigning 00:38:56.799 --> 00:38:57.559 and they reigning 00:38:57.559 --> 00:38:57.900 with them. 00:38:57.960 --> 00:38:59.119 There's no suffering 00:38:59.119 --> 00:39:00.059 in their mind. 00:39:01.440 --> 00:39:02.019 And so now 00:39:02.019 --> 00:39:02.619 that John 00:39:02.619 --> 00:39:03.420 has been arrested 00:39:03.420 --> 00:39:04.460 and executed, 00:39:04.940 --> 00:39:05.900 they've completely 00:39:05.900 --> 00:39:07.380 dismissed any possibility 00:39:07.380 --> 00:39:08.259 that he could have 00:39:08.259 --> 00:39:09.940 been the Elijah figure 00:39:09.940 --> 00:39:10.579 of Malachi. 00:39:10.819 --> 00:39:11.839 And here is Jesus 00:39:11.839 --> 00:39:12.219 saying, 00:39:12.359 --> 00:39:12.579 no, 00:39:12.880 --> 00:39:14.279 Elijah has come. 00:39:14.619 --> 00:39:15.500 Elijah has come. 00:39:15.559 --> 00:39:16.119 It was John. 00:39:16.199 --> 00:39:17.079 They did to him. 00:39:17.460 --> 00:39:18.279 They did to him 00:39:18.279 --> 00:39:19.059 whatever they wanted 00:39:19.059 --> 00:39:20.839 as it is written of him. 00:39:21.480 --> 00:39:21.739 Okay, 00:39:21.819 --> 00:39:22.679 now we can come back 00:39:22.679 --> 00:39:23.440 to verse 12 00:39:23.440 --> 00:39:24.920 because we understand 00:39:24.920 --> 00:39:26.259 John is the person here. 00:39:26.460 --> 00:39:27.219 Now we come back 00:39:27.219 --> 00:39:27.779 to verse 12 00:39:27.779 --> 00:39:28.139 and we're about 00:39:28.139 --> 00:39:28.859 to finish it up. 00:39:28.860 --> 00:39:29.940 I hope I'm not losing you here. 00:39:30.559 --> 00:39:31.120 Almost done. 00:39:32.039 --> 00:39:32.900 And he said to them, 00:39:34.059 --> 00:39:35.940 Elijah does come first 00:39:35.940 --> 00:39:37.180 to restore all things. 00:39:37.519 --> 00:39:38.559 And then he asked a question. 00:39:39.660 --> 00:39:41.000 And how is it written 00:39:41.000 --> 00:39:42.099 of the son of man 00:39:42.099 --> 00:39:43.760 that he should suffer 00:39:43.760 --> 00:39:44.559 many things 00:39:44.559 --> 00:39:45.780 and be treated 00:39:45.780 --> 00:39:46.599 with contempt? 00:39:47.340 --> 00:39:47.860 Now, 00:39:48.280 --> 00:39:48.980 this question 00:39:48.980 --> 00:39:49.940 seems strange. 00:39:50.360 --> 00:39:50.980 They've asked him 00:39:50.980 --> 00:39:51.700 about Elijah. 00:39:52.140 --> 00:39:53.079 Why is Jesus 00:39:53.079 --> 00:39:54.240 now asking them 00:39:54.240 --> 00:39:55.120 about what the scripture 00:39:55.120 --> 00:39:56.519 says about the suffering 00:39:56.519 --> 00:39:57.660 Messiah? 00:39:57.659 --> 00:39:57.779 Messiah? 00:39:59.699 --> 00:40:00.519 And Jesus 00:40:00.519 --> 00:40:01.859 is teaching them again 00:40:01.859 --> 00:40:04.179 that the scripture 00:40:04.179 --> 00:40:05.159 says the Messiah 00:40:05.159 --> 00:40:05.879 must suffer. 00:40:06.639 --> 00:40:07.000 Therefore, 00:40:08.039 --> 00:40:09.299 his followers 00:40:09.299 --> 00:40:10.119 must also 00:40:10.119 --> 00:40:10.819 be prepared 00:40:10.819 --> 00:40:11.480 to suffer 00:40:11.480 --> 00:40:13.639 for his sake. 00:40:14.299 --> 00:40:15.119 That's the point. 00:40:16.719 --> 00:40:17.359 Matthew 00:40:17.359 --> 00:40:18.799 orders 00:40:18.799 --> 00:40:19.699 these statements 00:40:19.699 --> 00:40:21.159 in reverse. 00:40:21.159 --> 00:40:23.679 and it's 00:40:23.679 --> 00:40:24.279 to accomplish 00:40:24.279 --> 00:40:24.819 a different, 00:40:25.259 --> 00:40:25.960 provide a different 00:40:25.960 --> 00:40:26.519 perspective 00:40:26.519 --> 00:40:27.480 of Jesus' statement. 00:40:27.940 --> 00:40:29.039 He reverses them 00:40:29.039 --> 00:40:30.159 in order to say 00:40:30.159 --> 00:40:32.039 how the Messiah 00:40:32.039 --> 00:40:32.659 would suffer. 00:40:33.819 --> 00:40:34.719 And in Matthew's 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:34.920 account, 00:40:34.960 --> 00:40:35.420 he's essentially 00:40:35.420 --> 00:40:35.920 saying 00:40:35.920 --> 00:40:38.000 the way that 00:40:38.000 --> 00:40:38.639 they treated 00:40:38.639 --> 00:40:39.339 John 00:40:39.339 --> 00:40:40.139 is also 00:40:40.139 --> 00:40:40.619 the way 00:40:40.619 --> 00:40:41.000 they will 00:40:41.000 --> 00:40:41.799 treat me. 00:40:41.920 --> 00:40:42.719 That's essentially 00:40:42.719 --> 00:40:43.359 the sequence 00:40:43.359 --> 00:40:44.179 that Matthew gives. 00:40:44.179 --> 00:40:45.519 But Mark 00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:46.339 gives a different 00:40:46.339 --> 00:40:46.960 sequence. 00:40:47.859 --> 00:40:48.500 Mark's presenting 00:40:48.500 --> 00:40:48.919 a different 00:40:48.919 --> 00:40:49.399 perspective. 00:40:50.339 --> 00:40:51.059 He's not 00:40:51.059 --> 00:40:51.699 trying to tell 00:40:51.699 --> 00:40:51.899 us 00:40:51.899 --> 00:40:53.319 how the Messiah 00:40:53.319 --> 00:40:53.879 would die. 00:40:54.879 --> 00:40:55.719 He's trying 00:40:55.719 --> 00:40:56.419 to emphasize 00:40:56.419 --> 00:40:58.339 why John 00:40:58.339 --> 00:40:59.259 had to die. 00:41:00.460 --> 00:41:00.759 And so 00:41:00.759 --> 00:41:01.379 his sequence 00:41:01.379 --> 00:41:02.259 goes like this. 00:41:02.919 --> 00:41:03.799 They did 00:41:03.799 --> 00:41:04.399 that to 00:41:04.399 --> 00:41:05.039 John 00:41:05.039 --> 00:41:06.159 because 00:41:06.159 --> 00:41:07.759 they will 00:41:07.759 --> 00:41:08.379 do that 00:41:08.379 --> 00:41:09.359 to me. 00:41:09.919 --> 00:41:10.440 Do you see 00:41:10.440 --> 00:41:11.019 the difference? 00:41:11.019 --> 00:41:12.880 why is 00:41:12.880 --> 00:41:13.539 Jesus asking 00:41:13.539 --> 00:41:14.159 this question? 00:41:15.119 --> 00:41:16.019 He's bringing 00:41:16.019 --> 00:41:16.519 their minds 00:41:16.519 --> 00:41:17.179 back to the 00:41:17.179 --> 00:41:17.500 scripture. 00:41:18.780 --> 00:41:19.380 The Messiah 00:41:19.380 --> 00:41:20.099 will suffer. 00:41:21.199 --> 00:41:21.500 Therefore, 00:41:21.679 --> 00:41:22.239 why would you 00:41:22.239 --> 00:41:22.800 expect 00:41:22.800 --> 00:41:23.840 that his 00:41:23.840 --> 00:41:24.280 messenger 00:41:24.280 --> 00:41:25.300 wouldn't 00:41:25.300 --> 00:41:25.860 suffer? 00:41:27.759 --> 00:41:28.719 And why 00:41:28.719 --> 00:41:29.259 wouldn't you 00:41:29.259 --> 00:41:29.840 expect 00:41:29.840 --> 00:41:32.059 that you 00:41:32.059 --> 00:41:33.219 won't 00:41:33.219 --> 00:41:34.039 suffer? 00:41:36.559 --> 00:41:37.300 And here 00:41:37.300 --> 00:41:37.719 he covers 00:41:37.719 --> 00:41:38.300 this third 00:41:38.300 --> 00:41:39.259 part of his 00:41:39.259 --> 00:41:39.739 teaching in 00:41:39.739 --> 00:41:40.320 chapter 8. 00:41:41.019 --> 00:41:41.960 We've seen 00:41:41.960 --> 00:41:42.599 his identity. 00:41:43.199 --> 00:41:44.280 We've seen 00:41:44.280 --> 00:41:45.300 his suffering. 00:41:45.820 --> 00:41:46.360 And now 00:41:46.360 --> 00:41:46.860 we're again 00:41:46.860 --> 00:41:48.219 reminded of 00:41:48.219 --> 00:41:48.940 the cost 00:41:48.940 --> 00:41:49.800 of being 00:41:49.800 --> 00:41:50.659 his disciple. 00:41:51.820 --> 00:41:52.880 Just because 00:41:52.880 --> 00:41:53.380 John was 00:41:53.380 --> 00:41:53.880 executed 00:41:53.880 --> 00:41:54.400 didn't mean 00:41:54.400 --> 00:41:54.719 that he 00:41:54.719 --> 00:41:55.059 wasn't 00:41:55.059 --> 00:41:55.559 the Elijah 00:41:55.559 --> 00:41:55.960 figure. 00:41:56.280 --> 00:41:57.119 It actually 00:41:57.119 --> 00:41:57.860 shows that 00:41:57.860 --> 00:41:58.539 he was 00:41:58.539 --> 00:41:59.360 the Messiah 00:41:59.360 --> 00:41:59.759 figure. 00:42:00.739 --> 00:42:01.920 Because just 00:42:01.920 --> 00:42:02.280 as they 00:42:02.280 --> 00:42:02.579 treated 00:42:02.579 --> 00:42:02.980 Jesus 00:42:02.980 --> 00:42:04.019 is how 00:42:04.019 --> 00:42:04.440 we might 00:42:04.440 --> 00:42:04.920 expect 00:42:04.920 --> 00:42:05.860 to be 00:42:05.860 --> 00:42:06.139 treated 00:42:06.139 --> 00:42:06.579 as his 00:42:06.579 --> 00:42:06.980 followers. 00:42:06.980 --> 00:42:10.340 And it's 00:42:10.340 --> 00:42:10.659 not hard 00:42:10.659 --> 00:42:10.940 to see 00:42:10.940 --> 00:42:11.260 that is 00:42:11.260 --> 00:42:11.440 it. 00:42:12.360 --> 00:42:12.900 It's 00:42:12.900 --> 00:42:13.099 only 00:42:13.099 --> 00:42:13.400 getting 00:42:13.400 --> 00:42:13.800 harder. 00:42:15.260 --> 00:42:15.960 But every 00:42:15.960 --> 00:42:16.300 one of 00:42:16.300 --> 00:42:16.900 these men 00:42:16.900 --> 00:42:17.420 that were 00:42:17.420 --> 00:42:18.840 covering in 00:42:18.840 --> 00:42:19.199 the life 00:42:19.199 --> 00:42:19.679 of Jesus 00:42:19.679 --> 00:42:20.480 every one 00:42:20.480 --> 00:42:20.780 of them 00:42:20.780 --> 00:42:21.760 suffered 00:42:21.760 --> 00:42:23.079 willingly 00:42:23.079 --> 00:42:25.099 joyfully 00:42:25.099 --> 00:42:25.920 why? 00:42:27.239 --> 00:42:28.119 Because they 00:42:28.119 --> 00:42:28.699 found in 00:42:28.699 --> 00:42:29.079 Jesus 00:42:29.079 --> 00:42:30.420 the pearl. 00:42:31.880 --> 00:42:32.659 They found 00:42:32.659 --> 00:42:33.299 in Jesus 00:42:33.299 --> 00:42:34.819 the treasure. 00:42:36.559 --> 00:42:37.319 And so 00:42:37.319 --> 00:42:37.980 Jesus is 00:42:37.980 --> 00:42:38.839 just teaching 00:42:38.839 --> 00:42:39.299 the lesson 00:42:39.299 --> 00:42:39.659 again. 00:42:41.039 --> 00:42:41.819 Now as we 00:42:41.819 --> 00:42:42.339 close I want 00:42:42.339 --> 00:42:42.779 us to step 00:42:42.779 --> 00:42:43.319 back for just 00:42:43.319 --> 00:42:43.739 a second 00:42:43.739 --> 00:42:44.659 and consider 00:42:44.659 --> 00:42:45.259 this narrative 00:42:45.259 --> 00:42:45.860 as a whole. 00:42:47.139 --> 00:42:47.920 What is it 00:42:47.920 --> 00:42:48.339 we're supposed 00:42:48.339 --> 00:42:49.039 to do about 00:42:49.039 --> 00:42:49.619 this passage? 00:42:49.759 --> 00:42:50.259 We like to 00:42:50.259 --> 00:42:50.559 ask that 00:42:50.559 --> 00:42:51.139 question right? 00:42:51.179 --> 00:42:51.440 When we come 00:42:51.440 --> 00:42:52.019 to the text 00:42:52.019 --> 00:42:52.839 what do we 00:42:52.839 --> 00:42:53.259 do about 00:42:53.259 --> 00:42:53.519 this? 00:42:53.639 --> 00:42:54.099 This is 00:42:54.099 --> 00:42:54.380 what it 00:42:54.380 --> 00:42:54.599 says. 00:42:54.599 --> 00:42:54.920 This is 00:42:54.920 --> 00:42:55.159 what it 00:42:55.159 --> 00:42:55.480 means. 00:42:56.159 --> 00:42:57.019 What do 00:42:57.019 --> 00:42:57.299 we do 00:42:57.299 --> 00:42:57.579 now? 00:42:58.679 --> 00:42:59.440 The purpose 00:42:59.440 --> 00:42:59.719 of the 00:42:59.719 --> 00:43:00.480 transfiguration 00:43:00.480 --> 00:43:00.920 is to 00:43:00.920 --> 00:43:01.199 proclaim 00:43:01.199 --> 00:43:01.719 who Jesus 00:43:01.719 --> 00:43:02.159 is, 00:43:02.719 --> 00:43:03.880 what he 00:43:03.880 --> 00:43:04.279 came to 00:43:04.279 --> 00:43:04.539 do, 00:43:05.039 --> 00:43:05.739 and what 00:43:05.739 --> 00:43:06.059 it means 00:43:06.059 --> 00:43:06.360 to be 00:43:06.360 --> 00:43:06.559 his 00:43:06.559 --> 00:43:06.980 disciple. 00:43:07.519 --> 00:43:08.000 So the 00:43:08.000 --> 00:43:08.339 application 00:43:08.339 --> 00:43:09.019 is clear. 00:43:09.940 --> 00:43:10.519 We are 00:43:10.519 --> 00:43:11.079 to believe 00:43:11.079 --> 00:43:11.699 who he 00:43:11.699 --> 00:43:12.099 is, 00:43:13.199 --> 00:43:14.059 accept 00:43:14.059 --> 00:43:14.699 what he 00:43:14.699 --> 00:43:15.119 did, 00:43:15.900 --> 00:43:17.000 and follow 00:43:17.000 --> 00:43:17.279 him, 00:43:17.980 --> 00:43:18.519 and follow 00:43:18.519 --> 00:43:18.819 him.