The Servant s Glory Mark 9:1-13 Introduction

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Randell Farmer
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1 Introduction In Mark 9 the chapter moves rapidly from a transfiguration (vv.1-13) to a restoration (vv.14-32) to a clarification (vv.33-50). In Mark 8:34-38 Jesus called the people to him with his disciples (v.34) to deny themselves, pick up their cross and follow Jesus. Jesus will suffer, die and rise from the dead. In one sense the followers of Jesus begin the journey to God s Kingdom. Now in chapter 9 we get a sneak peak of God s future kingdom. Why a sneak peak or coming attraction of the future kingdom? The glimpse into the future will embolden and strengthen the disciples in their journey with Jesus and belief that He is in fact God s Messiah. The transfiguration of Jesus is a sneak peak of Christ s glorious future reign. Are you fascinated by the strange? Intrigued by the supernatural? Have you ever desired to peek into the future? The call to service and sacrifice must be seen light of eternity. Yes discipleship will cost dearly; but discipleship will also be rewarded dearly! Ascending The Mount Of Transfiguration (vv.1-2a) Mark 9:1 13 (NKJV) 1And He said to them, Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power. The journey up the mountain begins with a prediction. This first verse is really connected with Mark 8:34-38 and Christ s call to discipleship. The prediction or the prophecy assures that some of them will see God s Kingdom in glory. Then Jesus chooses three men; Peter James and John to follow Him up the mountain. Jesus has spoken of self-denial, taking up the cross and following Him. Will the disciples die before the coming of Jesus? Yes. What then does it mean to see the kingdom of God present with power? The prophecy of Jesus seems highly unlikely! What do you mean not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power? The religious leaders understood the absurd and preposterous statement; in John s Gospel Then said the Jews to Him, Now we know that you have a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and you say, if a man keep my saying, he shall never taste death (John 8:51-52). Establish a kingdom? An unknown Jew on the edge of the Roman Empire? Oppose Rome? The followers of Jesus would be persecuted, fed to lions, lit on fire! Jesus had no army! No weapons! No money! No future! It may mean several things. It may mean the disciples will witness the death and resurrection of Jesus and the rule and reign of Jesus in the heart of the believer. It may mean the events that are about to take place provide a sneak peak into God s future kingdom. It may mean that some believers and followers of Jesus will walk in death rather than walk in life. 1

2 In the Bible death has three broad meanings. (1) Death is the end of life or the termination of life. It is the experience by which we no longer have conscious interaction with our fellow beings. (2) Death is used to express the condition of the unregenerate--or those who are not born again. Human beings are said to be dead in trespass and sin. This is the condition of being unresponsive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. (3) Death also the ultimate tragedy--which overwhelms the guilty; when the guilty stand before God and judged according to their wicked deeds. Matthew s gospel has Jesus saying, Truly, I say to you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste death, till they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom (Matt. 16:28). What if Jesus is saying that physical death is not the end; but rather the beginning if a new world; that in a real sense those present would see the Son of man coming in His kingdom? 2Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; Mark says six days; Luke 9:28 says about eight days! Which is it? When Luke says about eight days it means about a week--it may include the beginning of one day and close to the end of another. Where was this high mountain? Some have suggested Mount Tabor which has built a church to commemorate this event. Others suggest Mount Hermon. The Lord Jesus takes with Him Peter, James and John. Why these men? It would appear that these men are privy to some extraordinary events in the ministry of Jesus. These men were with Jesus when He raised Jairus daughter from the dead. These men were with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane during His great passion. And now here on the Mount of Transfiguration. Why these three men? Apparently Jesus was preparing them for some unique leadership roles in the Body of Christ and in the future Church. Why is that important to you? Did it ever occur to you that Jesus is calling and preparing you to fulfill some unique position in His Church and in His Kingdom? One designed to fit your gifts and unique circumstance! Your journey with Jesus is in part a journey of preparation. Think for a moment. Peter would occupy a prominent role of leadership in the early church. Peter would speak at Pentecost and open the door of the Gospel to both Jew and Gentile. Our friend James would lead in another way. He would be the first of the prominent Apostles to suffer and die for Jesus. John would outlive his contemporaries and be banished to the Island of Patmos where he would be given a series of revelations that you and I call the Great Apocalypse or the Book of Revelation--the last book in your Bible. On The Mount Of Transfiguration (2b-8) Mark 9:2b NKJV and He was transfigured before them. 2

3 Suddenly Jesus is transfigured. The word transfigured is metamorphoo--a change into another form--a transformation--a complete and thorough change. The idea is the change takes place from the inside with outside consequences. It is the exact opposite of the idea of masquerade. The vast majority of the ministry of Jesus veiled his glory! When Jesus was born a baby in Bethlehem the angels announced His arrival; but contrary to popular belief--the baby Jesus did not glow in the dark! Jesus came in humility, a man of sorrows acquainted with grief. But when Jesus returns He will come in glory! He will be instantly recognizable. 3His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. The word translated shining is stilbo a Greek participle which means the shining is active. We might say real, active experience--the shining is no illusion or dream or vision or imagination. It wasn t simply a bright reflection of the sun on Jesus clothes--the shining was the glory of the inner nature--it was a peek at his true being. This is not to say that the Godhead of Jesus was leaking out--or the glory of God--like some rogue radiation was leaking from His being. The Scripture says; Our Lord Jesus Christ...the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see (1Tim. 6:14-16). It would appear that God allowed the three disciples to see on a limited basis the glory of God. In Matthew s Gospel we read; His face did shine as the sun and His raiment was white as light (Matt. 17:2). In Luke s Gospel it says The fashion of his countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistening (Luke 9:29). 4And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Jesus is visited by two saints from the past! Elijah and Moses! Why Elijah and Moses? Some have suggested that Elijah is a picture of all the Prophets and Moses is a picture of all the Law. And what was the content of their conversation? What were they talking about? Why His future death and resurrection! Luke s gospel says they appeared in glory and spake of His departure (exodon) which he would accomplish in Jerusalem (Luke 9:31). The word departure or exodon is used sometimes in the New Testament of death. I want you to think for just a moment. At that point both Moses and Elijah were aware of Christ s purpose and ministry on the earth! I doubt seriously they were instructing Jesus--but no doubt providing encouragement. Did it ever occur to you that the transfiguration of Jesus was not simply given as a sneak peak of a future glory and a future kingdom--but to strengthen Jesus for the task at hand? 3

4 Jesus was about to embrace the pain and suffering and weight of a cruel cross. Once again Elijah and Moses bear witness that Jesus is the true Messiah; the Son of God--superior to both prophets and Law. The two men were honoring and ministering to the Messiah! Both Elijah and Moses confirm that Jesus is the Messiah and that both Prophets and Law point to the Messiah! The Old Covenant was about to pass away forever and the New Covenant established forever! William Lane suggests: Moses appears as the representative of the old covenant and the promise, now shortly to be fulfilled in the death of Jesus, and Elijah as the appointed restorer of all things (Chs. 1:2f;9:11). The stress on Elijah s presence at the transfiguration indicates that the fulfillment of all things has arrived (9:12). The transfiguration is the prelude to the passion, and Elijah is there to testify to the ultimate importance of the impending events in an historical sequence which culminates in consummation. The presence of Elijah and Moses thus has eschatological significance in the specific sense that they proclaim the coming of the end. What purpose did the transfiguration serve to the disciples? Remember Jesus has just said; deny yourself, pick up your cross--follow Jesus. Remember they are trying to process the revelation that Jesus is going to Jerusalem to die and rise from the dead. They must have thought that Jesus was using some kind of symbolic language--the transfiguration served as a dramatic testimony of his true identity. The disciples were eye-witness to His power and now splendor and glory! The disciples were also eye-witness to the fact that both Elijah and Moses testified that Jesus is superior to both the Law and the Prophets. This had to reinforce their conviction that Jesus was God s Messiah! The transfiguration gave the disciples a taste--a tiny taste of glory! Can you imagine? Glory--peace--security--perfection. Who would ever want to come down from that kind of high? Clearly there is life beyond death. Moses the man who died and Elijah the man caught up to the clouds. Clearly there is intelligent life beyond death--the visitors are able to speak, move, interact with each other and recognize one another. There is not just life, and not just intelligent life--but a glorious life! True Moses had died and was buried by God on the side of a mountain. 5Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah The word tabernacles is skenas--tents--or boothes made from the boughs of trees. The simplest term is shelters (like the NIV). Does Peter envision the fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles? To celebrate the Feast Jews would leave their homes and live in tents for eight days. The purpose of the Feast was to cause Jews to look back in time and remember the wilderness wandering but also to look forward in anticipation of blessing in the land. Peter may have thought the kingdom has come and now it is time to enjoy the kingdom. 4

5 6because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. Mark gives the real reason. Peter did not know what to say because he was terrified. Luke s gospel says the disciples had been sleeping (Luke 9:32). When you are confused and afraid it may be best to keep quiet. Once again Peter seems to be hindering God s plan. Peter wants to stay and soak in the glory! But Jesus must go to the cross. 7And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son. Hear Him! A cloud gathers--but it is no ordinary cloud. Perhaps this was the Shekinah--the cloud of glory! This cloud was the one that stayed in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and Temple. It was the visible expression of the presence of God. The voice is the voice of the Father; acknowledging Jesus as His Beloved Son. Peter s suggestion puts Jesus on the same level as Moses and Elijah. Jesus is God s unique Son. The Lord says; Hear (akouete) listen--present tense imperative--carrying the idea of something ongoing or habitual--listen to Jesus. Thus far Jesus has made several demands: you must be born again (John 3); you must repent; you must come to Jesus; you must believe in Jesus; you must love Jesus; and you must listen to Jesus. In Mark s Gospel (7:14) Jesus said, He called to people to him again and said to them, Hear me all of you, and understand!. In Luke 8:18 Jesus says; Take care then how you hear. Why should anyone listen to what Jesus has to say? No one ever spoke like this man (John 7:45-46). Do you remember when the religious leaders sent armed guards to arrest Jesus they came back empty handed because the teaching of Jesus was so compelling. Jesus speaks the very words of God. The words of Jesus silence supernatural powers. The words of Jesus contain eternal life. The words of Jesus awaken faith. How is it possible there are people who cannot hear what Jesus has to say? Jesus said, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27). The Bible teaches that whoever is of God hears the words of God. Jesus told the religious leaders there are two kinds of listeners; the non-listeners he describes like this: Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God (John 8:47). What a sobering revelation! It means that our condition as fallen creatures, sinful human beings means we are unlikely to listen and even more unlikely to care! We lean heavily towards words that feed the flesh and reward selfishness! 8Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves. I think it is significant that Moses and Elijah disappeared. If Moses represents the Law and Elijah the fulfillment of all things then we are left with only Jesus. 5

6 The writer of Hebrews says God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days, has spoken to us in His Son (Heb.1:1-2a). Religions have a constant argument; what is the final form of revelation! To the Muslims-- Muhammad is that revelation. To the Mormons--revelation continued with Joseph Smith and their subsequent prophets; various religious groups form and prosper under new leadership--but the question is answered in the Bible. The final form of revelation is the Lord Jesus Christ. Descending The Mount Of Transfiguration (vv.9-13) 9Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. The journey down the mountain begins with a command (vv.9-10). Jesus issues a warning to keep quiet about his transfiguration. The command leads to confusion (v.11). The disciples ask Jesus why the religious leaders insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes. Jesus provides some much needed clarification (vv.12-13) that in one sense Elijah has in fact come--in the power and person of John the Baptist. Does it surprise you that sometimes God keeps secrets? A secret has been defined as something you tell one person at a time! And what are some of those secrets? Suffering leads to glory. Power comes from faith (vv.14-29). And service leads to honor (vv.30-50). What were Peter and James and John to think? till the Son of Man had risen from the dead? Clearly they would not have to remain silent long! Then they would be free--even expected to tell the story. This is the only instance in the Gospels where a time limit--an expiration date was placed on the disciples-to remain silent. 10So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant. The word kept means seized (ekratesan aorist verb meaning to take hold of something and hang on tight)-this word--this statement (logon) and continued to discuss among themselves what rising from the dead might mean! The disciples are struggling or wrestling with the concept of the Messiah s dying and rising! Can you imagine the conversation? Peter what do you think? James what you think? John what do you think? Why is the Master going to die only to simply rise again? Is this a spiritual resurrection? Is it a physical resurrection? C.S. Lewis wrote; If the thing happened, it was the central event in the history of the earth. Paul Little wrote; Jesus supreme credential to authenticate his claim to deity was his resurrection from the dead. Five times in the course of his life he predicted he would die. He 6

7 also predicted how he would die and that three days later he would rise from the dead and appear to his disciples. 11And they asked Him, saying, Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first? The religious leaders; the scribes pointed to the fact that Malachi (4:5) predicted Elijah would come announcing the Messiah s arrival. This would be the beginning of the restoration and restitution of all things, paving the way for Messiah s glorious, universal reign. Where was Elijah? Would he come--as Malachi and the scribes promised? 12Then He answered and told them, Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? How does Jesus answer the question? It is true--elijah does come and restore all things! But Jesus adds how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? How are we to interpret all the passages that deal with a suffering Servant? Doesn t the Old Testament Scriptures predict that the Son of Man is to endure great suffering and be treated with contempt? 13But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him. In one sense Elijah has come--john the Baptist came in the person and ministry of Elijah. But men treated him exactly as they wanted to--just as men treated Elijah. The death of John the Baptist was also a preview--an advance token of what the religious leaders would do to the Son of Man. The people rejected the forerunner; the people would reject the King. The real conflict did not lie in the coming kingdom--but rather the events that must precede the coming kingdom! Conclusion How will the disciples stay strong in the weeks ahead? In the next section (vv.14-29) Jesus delivers a boy who seems to be losing his fight with a demon. And later an affirmation of love for sinners and a command for saints (vv.33-37). Jesus will once again speak of suffering and death and loving those who are outside our circle of fellowship (vv.38-41). The chapter will end with perhaps the longest and most awesome warning about a future punishment for the wicked and the very real need to love the lost (vv.42-50). 7

A GLIMPSE OF HIS GLORY

A GLIMPSE OF HIS GLORY Mark 9:1-13 1 And He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power." 2 Now