The Transfiguration

This coming Sunday at Southern Calvert Baptist Church, we are going to cover the subject of the transfiguration of Christ during our Connect Groups. This is an important event for Jesus’ disciples as well as an important event for us today. Our passage is the Gospel of Matthew, chapter seventeen. In our last lesson, we took a look at the faith needed to walk on water. It was an important lesson for us because of the times in which we live. Peter and the other disciples had to make a choice; to surrender to faith in the midst of life’s storms or, to surrender to fear. They immediately chose fear yet, Jesus reminded them of faith and it made all of the difference.

I. Prayer and Power

The text reveals the reason why Jesus wants to take some of His disciples up on the side of the mountain. Matthew does not reveal this information to us but, Dr. Luke does. Luke was trained as a doctor, receiving a classical education. That means that Luke knew how to do research and paid attention to details. He adds the detail that Matthew leaves out in his Gospel account.

Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. (Matthew 17:1)

Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. (Luke 9:28)

When we put these two passages together, we discover that Jesus took three of His disciples to the mountain to pray with them. Prayer is something that is taught and caught. Jesus spent time teaching His disciples to pray and He showed them how to pray by praying with them. Now, let’s turn to the Gospel writer Mark to see one more important detail to this event.

And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” (Mark 9:1)

Jesus is going to take three of His disciples up to the mountain so that they can catch a glimpse of the glory of the Kingdom of God. If we put all of this together, while spending time in prayer, the disciples are going to get a glimpse of the glory of the Kingdom of God. Is prayer important to you? Are you learning how to pray? Are you spending time in prayer with other prayer warriors? Do you expect to get a glimpse of the glory of the Kingdom of God when you pray with others? What about the disciples, do you think that they are excited about the things that are going to happen? Let’s discover in the text.

II. The Transfiguration

Jesus is serious about prayer. He wants His disciples to learn to be intentional when it comes to prayer.

29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.

32 Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. (Luke 9)

Unfortunately, the disciples were weak and instead of praying with Jesus, they fell asleep. While they were asleep and Jesus was praying, the transfiguration took place.

2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.
3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. (Matthew 17)

Not only did Jesus transfigure, two other people show up and begin to converse with Jesus. Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament. What were they talking about while the disciples were asleep?

30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah,
31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. (Luke 9)

They were talking about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that was soon to take place. This is the major event that is going to release the power of the Kingdom of God on this earth. While all of this was happening, another miracle takes place.

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5)

Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” (Luke 9:35)

Not only were they discussing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the voice of God adds two more vital pieces of evidence to the picture. Jesus is God and Jesus is the Messiah. These are the truths that release the power of the Kingdom of God on this earth.

1. Jesus is God
2. Jesus is the Messiah
3. The importance of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ

Have you experienced the power of the Kingdom of God in your own life? Have you accepted the fact that Jesus is God? Do you look to Jesus as your Savior? Have you placed your trust in the finished work of Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection?

III. The Response

What is our response to experiencing the power of the Kingdom of God in our lives here on this earth? God tells the disciples with His audible voice.

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5)

Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” (Luke 9:35)

Did you notice the word “listen”? The idea of listening in the original Greek language is to hear with the purpose of doing. Listen literally means “hear with the intend of obeying“. When we experience the power of the Kingdom of God in our lives we respond in obedience to the Lord. Have you responded in obedience? Do you share the good news of the fact that Jesus is God? Do you share the good news of the fact that Jesus is the Savior? Do you share the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus with others?