The TransfigurationThe Transfiguration of Jesus of Jesus

March 25, 2007March 25, 2007(Week 12)(Week 12)

“… “… And we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son of the Father ….”And we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son of the Father ….”

John 1:14John 1:14

Overview of the Ministry Years Overview of the Ministry Years • Year of Inauguration:Year of Inauguration: Summer, 26 – Spring, 27 Summer, 26 – Spring, 27

– BaptismBaptism– TemptationTemptation– First MiracleFirst Miracle– Cleansing of the templeCleansing of the temple

• Year of Popularity:Year of Popularity: Summer, 27 – Fall, 28 Summer, 27 – Fall, 28– Preaching ministry in GalileePreaching ministry in Galilee– Call of the apostlesCall of the apostles– Sermon on the MountSermon on the Mount– Parables of the kingdomParables of the kingdom

• Year of Opposition:Year of Opposition: Winter, 28 – Spring, 30 Winter, 28 – Spring, 30– John the Baptist killedJohn the Baptist killed– Feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000 Feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000 – Jesus walks on waterJesus walks on water– Jesus is transfiguredJesus is transfigured– Mary, Martha, and LazarusMary, Martha, and Lazarus– ZacchaeusZacchaeus– The final week The final week

ScripturesScriptures• Matthew 17:1-9Matthew 17:1-9 “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James,

and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good that and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when, behold, a bright for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’ When the beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’ When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and have no fear.’ And when they came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and have no fear.’ And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, ‘Tell no one the coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, ‘Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.’”vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.’”

• Mark 9:2-9Mark 9:2-9 “… And he was transfigured before them, “… And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.””

• Luke 9:28-36Luke 9:28-36 “… And [he] went up on the mountain to pray. And as he “… And [he] went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalemabout to accomplish at Jerusalem. . Now Peter and those who were with him Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his gloryglory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good that we are here. Let us from him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah’—make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah’—not not knowing what he saidknowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and . As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloudand they were afraid as they entered the cloud. ... . ... And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.”had seen.”

The TransfigurationThe Transfiguration• Gr. Gr. metamorphometamorpho, Lit. to change in form; transform , Lit. to change in form; transform • Six days – since the Peter’s confession at Ceasarea Philippi Six days – since the Peter’s confession at Ceasarea Philippi • Peter, James, and JohnPeter, James, and John

– Inner circle; the represent the twelveInner circle; the represent the twelve– Peter and John later testify to this event (2 Pet 1:16-18; Jn 1:14)Peter and John later testify to this event (2 Pet 1:16-18; Jn 1:14)

• On a high mountainOn a high mountain– Probably Mount HermonProbably Mount Hermon– Mountain top theophaniesMountain top theophanies

• Moses (Mt. Sinai, Ex 24)Moses (Mt. Sinai, Ex 24)• Elijah (Mt. Horeb, 1 K 19)Elijah (Mt. Horeb, 1 K 19)

• His His faceface shone like the sun; His shone like the sun; His clothesclothes were radiant, like light … brighter than were radiant, like light … brighter than bleachedbleached– Revelation of Jesus’ deityRevelation of Jesus’ deity– Intrinsic glory revealed (Heb 1:3)Intrinsic glory revealed (Heb 1:3)– God is Light (1 Jn. 1:5)God is Light (1 Jn. 1:5)– The glory of God (Rev 21:22-25)The glory of God (Rev 21:22-25)– Unapproachable light (1 Tim 6:13-16)Unapproachable light (1 Tim 6:13-16)

Moses & ElijahMoses & Elijah

• Jesus spoke with Moses & ElijahJesus spoke with Moses & Elijah– MosesMoses

• Buried by God himself; none like him in Israel (Deut. Buried by God himself; none like him in Israel (Deut. 34:5-12)34:5-12)

• Reflective glory of God (Exod. 33:12-23; 34:29-35)Reflective glory of God (Exod. 33:12-23; 34:29-35)• Represents the lawRepresents the law

– ElijahElijah• Ministry characterized by signs and wondersMinistry characterized by signs and wonders• Taken up to heaven (2 Kings 2:9-12)Taken up to heaven (2 Kings 2:9-12)• Said to come again before the day of the Lord (Mal. Said to come again before the day of the Lord (Mal.

4:5)4:5)• Represents the prophetsRepresents the prophets

– The old covenant is directly linked to the new The old covenant is directly linked to the new covenantcovenant

– They speak of his departure (death, They speak of his departure (death, resurrection, and ascension) … the means of resurrection, and ascension) … the means of redemptionredemption

ImplicationsImplications• Reaction of the disciplesReaction of the disciples

– They were terrifiedThey were terrified– ““It’s good to be here”It’s good to be here”– Let’s build three tentsLet’s build three tents

• The descent of the cloudThe descent of the cloud– Exodus 24:15-18Exodus 24:15-18– 1 Kings 8:10-111 Kings 8:10-11

• The voice of the FatherThe voice of the Father– My beloved Son (Heb My beloved Son (Heb

1:2)1:2)– Listen to him (Deut Listen to him (Deut

18:15-18)18:15-18)• Jesus onlyJesus only• Tell no one … before it’s Tell no one … before it’s

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