Sermon Notes - A Little Suburb of Heaven

A Little Suburb of Heaven, Mark 9:2-13
J. Josh Smith, MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, attended September 20, 2009

Christian, the pilgrim of The Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan, is always provided just enough of a glimpse of his goal to motivate him to continue on his hard journey. On the top of House of Beautiful, through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, he sees the mountains ahead. On top of the mountains he sees Celestial City, his ultimate destination. The glimpse, the foretaste, keeps him pressing on through the persecution and the trials of his journey.

Coming out of the previous chapter we probably have some confused and discouraged disciples. They now see that Jesus is not the Messiah they envisioned. He then gives them a “foretaste of glory divine” and the Mount of Transfiguration becomes “a little suburb of Heaven.”

We need to focus here on what Mark says and not what he doesn’t say regarding this mysterious and often misunderstood event.

1. Jesus wanted to give the disciples a revelation of His divinity – He wanted to remind them He was God. He wanted to remind them who He is.

Transfiguration – There may be some typology here with Moses but there are major differences also. Moses did not manifest what was inside him as Jesus did. Moses was changed by something on the outside.

A voice from a cloud – This was a reminder from God the Father that Jesus was divine. This was an encouragement, and reminder, to them that no matter what others might say you are following the right one.

2. Jesus wanted to give them a clarification of His mission – A reminder that there is an inseparable connection between His suffering and His glory. The disciples were struggling with how God could allow Jesus to suffer. He is teaching them that in the kingdom of God suffering and glory always go together.

The “voice from the cloud” tells the disciple’s to “listen to Him”. He said He will suffer and He will. The promises of God are for those who “listen to Him.” Those who ignore Him and choose to live outside of His rule in their lives miss out on the promises of God. Do not hold on to the promises of God unless you are submitting to the authority of Christ in your life.

Note the contrast between His glory and His suffering. Here He is with saints; there He is between two criminals. Here His clothes radiant brightness; there His clothes are ripped off Him. Here He hears a voice from above; there He hears voices from below telling Him to save himself. Glory and suffering go together. Suffering is the way to glory. (Philippians 2:8-11)

Ministers, or others, who preach prosperity, or the pain free life of following Christ are not preaching the truth of the Bible. Those who say they just want to give their congregants good news are not preaching the full truth. We are not called to give good news but true news.

3. Jesus showed them the centrality of His glory – There is probably some correlation between Moses being the law and Elijah being the prophets. These were two heroes of the Jewish faith. Everything they did was to point to Jesus. He is central. He is left alone, Moses and Elijah are gone, the focus is on Him. (Mark 9:8) All that Moses and Elijah represent in the Old Testament is fulfilled in Jesus.

This is encouraging because it shows it is not all about them – or us. Just as He would manifest Himself in suffering, we are to manifest Him in our suffering. Our suffering is about Jesus, not us. We are to manifest Jesus in our suffering. He has us in the middle of our suffering to glorify Him. Do we?

4. Jesus shows them the certainty of His vindication – The divine confirmation of His ultimate vindication is the transfiguration. Most people will think of His life as a failure at His crucifixion. He gives the disciples a picture of what is coming, the resurrection. He wants them to understand He will return for everyone to see Him.

We have that certainty also. (1 John 3:1-3) We will be hated and mocked, but we will be glorified with Him. He points to Elijah as John the Baptist, who lost his head. He was also a bit sarcastic in that He asked them why they didn’t see the suffering of Christ in the prophecies.

Peter wanted to stay on the mountain. Not quite knowing what to say he suggested setting up tents. We can’t stay on the mountain. Verse 9 starts with, “And as they were coming down the mountain…” He gives us glimpses, foretastes, of His glory, but we always come down from the mountain because we live in the valley. He is gracious to remove us for moments to see His glory and to motivate us to hold on. The weeping lasts for the night, but joy comes in the morning! Be faithful – you are following the right guy!