Sermons From Mark - They Beheld His Majesty (9:1-9)

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                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                    They Beheld His Majesty (9:1-9)

INTRODUCTION

1. In His discussion on discipleship, Jesus makes a remarkable claim...
   a. He will one day come in the glory of His father with the holy
      angels - Mk 8:38
   b. A reference to His coming in on the Day of Judgment - cf. Mt
      16:27; 25:31-32

2. To support His claim, Jesus makes another remarkable statement:
   "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will
   not taste death till..."
   a. "they see the kingdom of God present with power." - Mk 9:1
   b. "they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." - Mt 16:28
   c. "they see the kingdom of God." - Lk 9:27

3. To what does Jesus refer?  Several interpretations have been given...
   a. Jesus' transfiguration on the mount
   b. Jesus' resurrection and ascension
   c. The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and beginning of the
      church
   d. The destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in 70 A.D.
   e. The second coming of Christ

4. Note that the gospel writers connect these sayings with an event
   about to occur...
   a. Matthew and Mark record "and after six days..." - Mk 17:1; Mk 9:2
   b. Luke writes "about eight days" ("the Jewish equivalent of 'about a
      week later'") - Lk 9:28
   c. Luke adds "after these sayings", clearly tying the event to what
      had just been said

[That event was the transfiguration of Christ on the mountain, which
served as a striking preview and guarantee of His future coming in glory
(cf. 2Pe 1:16-18).  What happened on the mount?  Simply put, "They
Beheld His Majesty".  Note first of all..]

I. THEY BEHELD THE MAJESTY OF HIS PERSON

   A. EVIDENCED BY HIS TRANSFIGURATION...
      1. He was transfigured - Mk 9:2
         a. Grk., metamorphoo {met-am-or-fo'-o}
         b. Meaning to change, transfigure, transform
      2. This change affected His face and clothing
         a. His face shone like the sun - Mt 17:2 (Luke says the
            appearance of His face was altered - Lk 9:29)
         b. His clothes became as white as the light - Mt 17:2
            1) Shining, exceedingly white, like snow, more than any
               launderer can whiten them - Mk 9:3
            2) White and glistening - Lk 9:29
      3. Peter later wrote that what he saw was His "majesty" (2Pe
         1:16); the effulgence of His glory possibly representing His
         deity as the Son of God - cf. He 1:1-3

   B. EVIDENCED BY THE PRESENCE OF MOSES AND ELIJAH...
      1. They were talking with Jesus - Mk 9:4
         a. They also appeared in glory - Lk 9:31a
         b. Discussing with Jesus about His coming death in Jerusalem
            - Lk 9:31b
         c. Peter, James, and John had been sleeping, but awoke to see
            Jesus in His glory, and talking with Moses and Elijah - Lk
            9:32
         d. Moses and Elijah then began to depart - Lk 9:33
      2. That Moses and Elijah would appear with Jesus was not lost on
         Peter - Mk 9:5-6
         a. Moses and Elijah were the epitome of the Law and the
            Prophets
         b. Peter wanted to build three tabernacles, one each for Jesus,
            Moses and Elijah
      3. Jesus had evidently been elevated to the same level as Moses
         and Elijah in Peter's mind!

[But Peter was soon to learn that Jesus was greater than Moses and
Elijah, especially in regards to His authority.  Therefore as we
continue we note that...]

II. THEY BEHELD THE MAJESTY OF HIS COMING KINGDOM

   A. EVIDENCED BY THE VOICE FROM HEAVEN...
      1. While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed
         them - Mk 9:7
      2. Peter, James, and John, fearfully entered the cloud - Lk 9:34
      3. A voice came out of the cloud:  "This is My beloved Son. Hear
         Him!" - Mk 9:7
         a. This terrified the disciples - Mt 17:6
         b. Jesus then sought to comfort them - Mt 17:7
      4. The command, "Hear Him!" implies...
         a. That God would now speak through His Son, not the Law
            (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) - cf. He 1:1-2
         b. That the rule and reign of God would be exercised through
            His Son, as He would be given all authority in heaven and
            earth - cf. Mt 28:18
      5. Of course, this rule and reign (i.e., Christ's kingdom) would
         begin after Christ suffered (i.e., His death) and entered into
         glory (i.e., His ascension) - cf. Lk 24:26
         a. Which explains why He told them to tell no one the vision
            until after His resurrection - Mk 9:9
         b. What they witnessed was a foretaste, a foreshadowing of His
            coming glory and rule in His kingdom!

   B. EVIDENCED BY THE ABSENCE OF MOSES AND ELIJAH...
      1. After hearing the voice, and lifting up their eyes, only Jesus
         was present - Mk  9:8
      2. Perhaps symbolizing what the voice clearly declared:  that
         Jesus was the one they were to hear, not Moses and Elijah who
         likely represented the Law and the Prophets

CONCLUSION

1. Truly "They Beheld His Majesty"...
   a. They beheld the majesty of His person
      1) Transfigured before them
      2) Exalted even above Moses and Elijah
   b. They beheld the majesty of His coming kingdom
      1) Acknowledged from heaven as God's beloved Son
      2) The One whom all should heed, for all authority would be given
         to Him

2. What is the significance of this event...?
   a. I take it to be the fulfillment Jesus' promise in Mk 9:1; Mt
      16:28; Lk 9:27
      1) That some would see the kingdom of God "present" with power
      2) That some would see the Son of Man "coming" in His kingdom
      3) That some would see the kingdom of God (i.e., His rule or
         reign)
   b. As such, what they saw was a foretaste of His kingdom or rule...
      1) Just a foretaste, which is why they were to keep silent for a
         time - Mk 9:9
      2) To be fully exercised after His death and resurrection - cf. Ep
         1:20-23; 1Pe 3:22
      3) Which includes that day in which He will judge the world! - cf.
         Ac 17:30-31

3. All the events at the mount contributed to giving Jesus honor and
   glory from the Father - 2Pe 1:17
   a. The glorious transfiguration of Christ
   b. The presence (and subsequent absence) of Moses and Elijah
   c. The voice from heaven, acknowledging Christ as God's Son

4. What does God desire of us today...?
   a. Not tabernacles or temples erected in the memory of His Son
   b. But for us to simply obey what God said at the mount:  "Hear Him!"

If we desire to add to the honor and glory that Jesus so richly
deserves, and to one day behold His majesty in heaven, then be careful
to heed what He himself said regarding His authority:

   "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go
   therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
   in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
   teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;
   and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
                                                     - Mt 28:18-20
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