Sermon: THE MOUNTAINTOP EXPERIENCE By: Bro. Dale Leacock Date: December 10, 2000

Text Luke 9:28-36 -28- About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. -29- As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. -30- Two men, Moses and Elijah, -31- appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. -32- Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. -33- As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what he was saying.) -34- While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. -35- A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." -36- When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen. INTRODUCTION: This remarkable incident in the life of Christ occurs midway between His Incarnation and His Ascension-the one representing the institution of our hope and the other its anticipation. The teaching recorded in the sixth chapter of John's Gospel had turned Christ's popularity and had increased the opposition in Galilee, so that the character of His ministry underwent a change at this point. He abandoned the performance of miracles and devoted Himself to the Twelve Apostles. Together they took longer journeys to Tyre and Sidon, to Caesarea-Philippi. The unique experience of the Transfiguration has thus great meaning at this stage in Christ's earthly life. CENTRAL THESIS - Even among the famous Jesus stands out because He alone is the person we should hear and obey The Transfigured Lord The Time : "About eight days after" - Why does each Gospel (Matthew and Mark, "after six days") record a time element? "These sayings" (v.28) most important (see above), and include- (a)   Peter's confession (v.20). (b)  Christ's revelation (v.22) for the first time of His death. These two sayings are apparently irreconcilable, so probably disciples spent six days in gloom and wonder. The Purpose : To disciples-to show glory and give encouragement. Deity and death not irreconcilable after all-no contradiction, but consistency-means to great end. To Jesus-who, though sorrowful because of rejection in Galilee behind and in Jerusalem ahead, solicits no human sympathy. Divine approval - cf. His baptism (3: 22), and one other time of crisis (John 12:28). Foretaste of glory. The Character : While praying, countenance and raiment showed plainly indwelling Divinity-glory from within-body steeped in splendor natural to Himself. Shekinah glory. Thus, glorification of humanity by Divinity. The Attendant Saints The Persons : Moses and Elijah, lawgiver and prophet-not patriarchs-spiritual heroes rather than secular. Moses representing Law and Elijah Prophets, both remarkable as to death: (a)  Moses' death was mysterious. (b)  Elijah's death was miraculous. Clearly there in person, because Christ conversed with them before disciples awoke from sleep. The Conversation : Subject was "His decease"-literally, His exodus, departing-His death, resurrection and ascension, route He would take out of this life and back to heaven. Would be end of Law and fulfillment of Prophets. "Which He should bring to fulfillment" - literally, perform, execute, as something appointed and prescribed by God the Father. "At Jerusalem" - center of Jewish life and religion. The Meaning : To Jesus. (a)  Homage of Lawgiver and Prophet conferring on His death-interested in it and prepared for it as culmination of Old Testament. "Moses would have talked of the Lord's coming exodus as Redemption, and Elijah as Restoration, each according to the character of his own earthly mission, and the Saviour's exodus accomplished both. For He redeemed us from sin and Satan, and restored us to holiness and to God" (H. J. Horn). (b)  Encouragement of Christ's human soul to go on because of sight of two who had passed on to glory - one by natural death but Divine burial, and the other by translation-symbols of two classes of believers at second coming of Christ (Cf. John 11:25, 26). To disciples. (a)  Cross understood by inhabitants of heaven if not by those of earth. (b)  Glimpse by anticipation of what Kingdom of God really meant-spiritual, not temporal. The Astonished Disciples The Men, why three only - "Peter, John and James"? Perhaps because benefit to all through fittest. If others also, perhaps dazzled with grandeur and Judas incited to worldly ambition. Perhaps these three only saved situation by keeping it secret (v.36; Mark 9:9, 10) -until I Peter 1: 15-18 was written. Cf. unfitness of other nine as shown by lack of power over demon in boy at foot of mountain (v.40). Thus, God's revelation only to fitted ones whose devotion is real though faith frail. The Impression : "It is good for us to be here" - passage often quoted, yet original cannot bear out meaning usually given. Not that worship and fellowship are not to be private, or that adoration of God is to be undertaken for honor, for it is written: "... not knowing what he said"(v.33). Rather, since word translated "good" is not precious, or valuable, but excellent, fortuitous, best, Peter here showed he found only advantage in Christ's ministry, i.e., no idea of Cross. So statement means: "It is opportune, of service to us, that we are here"-thought of crisis-Kingdom has come, so place of sojourn needed. How like Peter, well-meaning but blundering The Divine Testimony The Cloud - Why? God's will thus shown when Peter suggested remaining in mount. Probably his words hastened departure, and now cloud hid figures. The Voice : Peter had lowered Christ to level of Moses and Elijah -disciples as Jews probably glad Jesus of Nazareth connected with Old Testament heroes. So now hour is come for departure of Law and Prophets. Also, reminder comes - "Hear Him"-especially as to Cross (Cf. Isa. 42:1-7; Heb. 1-14). The Practical Outcome The Fear and its Removal : Awed, disciples fell on their faces (Matt.. 17:6). But "Jesus came and touched them" and spoke reassuringly (Matt. 17:7), leading them back to their own life from His. The Sight and the Lesson : "Jesus only" (Matt. 17:18) -Law and Prophets gone. Chosen three never forgot experience-cf. John 1:14; 2 Peter 1:21. Conclusion God's Motive To make real a truth already received. Cf. idea of Messiah in John 1-nothing really new here. Cf. statement of Peter at Caesarea-Philippi (Matt. 16:16) -needed to translate creed into life. Intellectual grasp not enough-not new views but new vitality needed. So today, we may be orthodox, yea evangelical, and yet there may be lack in heart and life. God's Method Face to face with Christ, soul will leave all else, even Moses and Elijah. All leading to Him-hooks, friends, experiences, etc. Times of communion may be times of transfiguration. Emphasis on Death-Atonement the Center! Emphasis on Glory-Resurrection the Consequence! So, Jesus Only is the Salvation for sinner. Subject for preacher. Solution for student. Sanctification for believer. Solace for sorrowing. Satisfaction for all-forever! Jesus only! In the shadow Of the cloud so chill and dim, We are clinging, loving, trusting. He with us and we with Him. All unseen, yet ever nigh, Jesus only all our cry. Jesus only! In the glory When the shadows all have flown, Seeing Him in all His beauty, Satisfied with Him alone. Then, among the ransomed throng, Jesus only all our song.