Mark 9:1-13: A Glimpse At Greatness

(1) Bible Study Questions

Discuss: Have you ever been ushered into greatness, power, and glory? What was it like?

1. When does the kingdom of God come with power? (v. 1)

2. What does Jesus’ amazing transfiguration tell us about who he is?

Dazzling white (v. 3; cf. Rev 1:14)

Mountain (v. 2; cf. Exod 19:1-20:20)

Cloud (v. 7; cf. Exod 24:15-18, esp. 16)

3. What is the significance of Elijah and Moses?

4. What is God’s testimony about Jesus? (cf. Mark 1:11; Matt 17:5)

5. What is God’s command to Peter and to us? (cf. Matt 9:7)

6. Why is that a particularly appropriate command?

7. What practical steps can we take to obey this command?

Discuss: What is your attitude to suffering as a Christian?

8. What do you think prompted the disciples to ask this question about Elijah? (vv. 4, 10-11)

9. Why does Elijah come first according to Jesus? (Mark 9:12)

10. In what way are all things restored by the ministry of Elijah? (cf. Mark 1:2-6; 2 Kgs 1:8; Mal 3:1, 4:5-6. For the interaction between the fruits of Jesus’ ministry and that of Elijah see Luke 7:29-30.)

11. Jesus says that it is written that, “the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected”. Look up the following Old Testament passages to find the places that Jesus probably had in mind.

Daniel 7:13-14

Daniel 9:26

Isaiah 53

Psalm 22:6

Malachi 13:7

12. How has Elijah come?

13. What has been done to Elijah? (cf. Mark 6:16-29)

14. Where has it been written about? (1 Kgs 19:1-10)

15. How are John the Baptist, Jesus, and you and I, the same?

Notes

(a) After Jesus rose from the dead, Peter gave this testimony about the transfiguration: “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honour and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the majestic glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.” (2 Pet 1:16-18)

(b) Luke 9:31 gives us the theme of the conversation between Moses, Elijah, and Jesus: “his departure (Greek, exodos), which he was about to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem.”

(c) It is possible that Peter’s misguided wish to make booths for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah reflected the festival of tabernacles, during which native born Israelites lived in booths around Jerusalem for seven days to remember how in the time of the Exodus when Israel lived in booths as Yahweh brought Israel out of Egypt (Lev 23:33-44, esp. vv. 42-43).

(d) The parallel passage is Matthew 17:11-13, where Jesus suffers in the same way as this later Elijah. The disciples then understood who Jesus was talking about.

(2) Sermon Script

Introduction

Have you ever caught a glimpse of greatness? Has any one every seen the Queen in the flesh? What about Elvis Presley? What about someone else famous?

I met Sir Ninian Stephens when I was about 11. I was at the Scout Jamboree in Ipswich, Queensland in 1982. I had one of my only showers in preparation. And I was underwhelmed. We were promised breakfast with the Governor-General. He was half an hour late and all I got was a handshake. He was a little man with gray hair and a suit. I was about as tall as him. I was not impressed and not happy.

I almost met Bob Hawke when he was Prime Minister. When I lived at Bexley North, his helicopter landed in the park just down the road from my house. I ran out but all I saw was the helicopter taking off and a commonwealth car in the distance. I only knew it was Bob Hawke because on the evening News on TV I learnt that Bob had visited Kingsgrove High School. “Ahh, that’s how he got there.”

I’ve met other people who you wouldn’t know: Brad Shepherd the guitarist out of Hoodoo Gurus, Peter Garrett before he became a politician, the odd footy player, like Matt Cooper, the centre from St George, used to live across the road from the church at Shellharbour.

Have you met someone important? How close have you come to greatness? Who is the important person you have seen in the flesh?

Context

In our passage today, God will confirm the discovery that Peter and the other apostles have made. Mark tells us about their amazing realisation. Jesus asks them “Who do you say I am?” And Peter said, “You are the Christ.”

What Peter means is this: “Jesus, I am convinced you are the king and Lord of the universe. God has chosen and anointed you to rule everything. And Jesus accepts this as true, and warns them to keep it secret, because he also wants to explain to his disciples the job description of the Lord of the Universe. The job description is “to be rejected, killed, and to rise again.”

Now this simply didn’t fit with most people’s ideas about what the Messiah would do. The Messiah was going to be a victorious military leader, yes. The Messiah would kick Roman butt, he would re-establish Israel and Jerusalem as an influential world power. And so Peter is very upset when Jesus starts talking about going off and dying. “You can’t waste time dying, Jesus. You’ve got important things to do.”

Peter got it so right–Jesus was the Messiah. Then so wrong–Jesus, don’t die. When he is right, Peter speaks the very words God revealed to him. When he is wrong, he speaks the words of the devil.

The Kingdom Comes when the King Dies and Rises Again (v. 1)

Jesus also wanted his disciples to know that the coming of the Kingdom was just around the corner. Mark chapter 9 verse 1:

And he went on to say, “I tell you, there are some here who will not die until they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

Jesus has just been talking about the fact that the Messiah must die and rise again. And now he speaks about the kingdom of God coming with power during the lifetime of his apostles.

What event is Jesus referring to as the coming of the kingdom? I think the kingdom of God comes with the events of Good Friday, Easter Day, and Pentecost. The kingdom comes with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the coming of the Spirit. These events mean that we are in the last days. The kingdom has come.

And again we see the ‘Now But Not Yet’. The kingdom has truly come because the risen Jesus has been installed as king at the right hand of God. But we must wait until every enemy is placed under Jesus’ feet.

The Transfiguration (vv. 2-8)

Now everyone loves a royal wedding. One of the more recent ones was the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. And even though William just wanted a small wedding, it was over the top: a million people in the streets, two billion people watching it on TV, and all the commentators were saying, “This is the beginning of a new era for the royals”.

“But hang on, Queen Elizabeth is still on the throne. She isn’t dead yet! And there’s still Prince Charles between Prince William and Queen Elizabeth. What do you mean a new era?”

Well, it’s because of what the Royal Wedding means. All the pomp and ceremony of the wedding was because of who the couple are—in all likelihood, the future King and Queen of England.

Jesus’ transfiguration is a bit like this. It is a coronation before the coronation. It is a glimpse into Jesus’ future, sure and certain, because it has been planned by God from before the creation of the world. About a week has past by since Peter has declared that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus took his inner circle, Peter, James and John, up a high mountain. Only these three went up. And up on the mountain, amazing things happened (v. 2, compare Exod 19:1-20:20). Jesus had a mountain top experience in front of his three witnesses.

Jesus was metamorphosed. He was changed. His clothes were whitened (v. 3; cf. Rev 1:14) His face was brightened. It sounds like a washing powder ad, so far. But there was more, for Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus. The great lawgiver and the great prophet were standing there, talking with Jesus. Of all the Gospel writers, only Luke tells us what they were talking about.

[Moses and Elijah] appeared in brilliant glory, and spoke about his departure, which he was about to complete in Jerusalem.

Literally, they spoke about Jesus’ exodus. Jesus is on his way up and out. Jerusalem is the launch pad, where he will be lifted up like a rocket ship to start his return to his Father. And his death will be primary ignition, and his resurrection will begin the countdown, and his ascension will be lift off.

Moses and Elijah had looked forward to this during their earthly lives. And now, in this vision, they talked with Jesus about what they so looked forward to.

But there was more. They were surrounded by a cloud, which overshadows them.

But there was still more. This isn’t just the mist rolling in. This cloud rather reminds them of what God did at the exodus from Egypt (v. 7; cf. Exod 24:15-18, esp. 16). The cloud symbolized God’s presence, just like when Moses dedicated the tabernacle, and Solomon dedicated the temple. This cloud is telling us, “God is here.”

And if there was any doubt about it, it is dispelled by the voice. A voice from the cloud spoke. The disciples could hear it and they were afraid. And the voice says, “This is my own dear Son, listen to him.” At the beginning of his ministry God spoke a similar thing. And now, at the end of the beginning of his ministry, and at the beginning of his end, the voice again confirms his identity, this time for his disciples.

Well, I don’t think the disciples enjoyed the experience. They caught a glimpse of the real Jesus.

Peter has no idea what he is talking about. He is so frightened he talks about putting up little branch and leaf humpies for the three[1].

Don’t you love Peter? Always first to speak, even when he doesn’t think. Enthusiasm without thought, but he was afraid. He freaked out, because he saw Jesus as he really is.

Jesus is the Son, God’s own dear Son. Muslims are horrified that God could have a son. But here it is. This is the unique claim of Christianity. God has a unique Son, who is God from God, light from light, true God from true God. And his name is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one who shines a radiance exactly like God’s. In fact, he is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of God’s being. If you want to know what God is like, you look full into the face of Jesus. But it is like looking into the sun. He is so glorious, so bright, that you cannot bear to look at his face.

What is going on here? Peter and James and John are seeing a glimpse of who Jesus really is. Jesus came as a human being, just like us. But in a way, him being truly human hid the fact that he was God. He was fully God, in whom all the fullness of the deity dwelt. But the transfiguration was an unveiling. It showed the disciples Jesus’ glory.

Mark tells us that Peter, James and John obeyed Jesus’ order. They did not tell anyone what they had seen until Jesus had risen from the dead.

What Peter, James, and John saw was a foretaste of the risen, glorified Jesus. They had a glimpse of who Jesus really is now, seated in heaven. John, who was there on the mountain, got to see this Jesus again. And he writes about what he saw in the Book of Revelation.

¹²I turned round to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man", dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash round his chest. ¹⁴His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. ¹⁵His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. ¹⁶In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. ¹⁷When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. (Rev 1:12-18 NIV)

This is the true Jesus, though we do not see him now. But this is the resurrected and glorified Jesus. And when he returns we will see him like this.

What are the appropriate responses?

First, believe in Jesus, and not be afraid. Sure, if you are his enemy, be afraid. But if you believe in him, if you trust him, don’t be afraid. For those who fall at his feet, he is the living one. He died for us. That is why he came as a human, and hid the majesty that was his. And in doing so he defeated all the powers of death.

Second, listen to him. Listen to Jesus’ word, found in the bible. There he still speaks to us.

Third, talk about the risen and glorified Jesus this way, because he has now risen from the dead. Jesus said, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has risen from death.” Peter loved to talk, and once Jesus rose from the dead, he always talked about what he saw on the mountain that day. This is what he said in his last letter:

¹²So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. ¹³I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, ¹⁴because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. ¹⁵And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. ¹⁶We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye-witnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷For he received honour and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." ¹⁸We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. (2 Pet 1:12-18 NIV)

Jesus is majestic in splendour and glory. He is our Lord who is now forever transfigured and worthy of our praise. And one day we who have put our trust in him will see him as he is and be like him. This is our resurrection hope.

Elijah has Come, the Son Must Suffer (vv. 11-13)

But death must come first. No crown without a cross. No glory without shame. And Jesus will not let Peter, James, and John forget it.

However, they now have more questions. Is what they have seen in the transfiguration, the resurrection? Were the Elijah and Moses they saw on the mountain raised from the dead? Is that what Jesus meant?

Maybe Elijah and Moses have been risen (Mark 9:4, 10-11). And then, maybe Jesus is risen. After all, he changed his appearance. Maybe all that talk of death is unnecessary. Maybe Jesus doesn’t have to die after all, because Jesus was just changed before their eyes.

But all this is a mistake, because Jesus must really die. It is written in the Old Testament. And you can check out the specifics in Daniel 9:26, Isaiah 53, Psalm 22:6, and Zechariah 13:7.

And Elijah must come first according to Jesus (Mark 9:12). This is because the Scripture has prophesied it. In fact, Malachi mentions Moses and Elijah in the same breath at the very end of his prophecy. On the last page of our Old Testaments:

⁴Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. ⁵See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. ⁶He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.” (Mal 4:4-6 NIV)

John the Baptist was this later Elijah. He wore the same clothes as Elijah (cf. 2 Kgs 1:8 with Mark 1). He is the Elijah that was to come. And they killed him (Mark 6:16-29). Jesus is going to suffer in the same way as this later Elijah. Just like John the Baptist, Jesus is going to be killed (Matt 17:13).

The way to glory is through shame. And that’s true for John the Baptist, for Jesus, and for us. After all, Jesus did say that we are to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him.

Let’s pray that he helps us do that.

[1] It is possible that Peter's misguided wish to make booths reflected the festival of tabernacles, during which native born Israelites lived in booths for seven days to remember how in the Exodus Israel lived in booths when he brought them out of Egypt (Lev 23:33-44, esp. vv. 42-43).