I Can Only Imagine

Transfigured

(Mark 9:1-8, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, May 19, 2019)

[1] And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

[2] And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, [3] and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. [4] And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. [5] And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” [6] For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. [7] And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” [8] And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

The Promise

In Mark 8:38, we read of Jesus' promise that he would come again “in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” The very next verse (9:1) contains a smaller promise that is connected to the bigger one. “There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

What was the meaning of this second promise? “Some” (not all) would “see” a glimpse of the larger whole of a glorious new world. In all three gospels that contain the transfiguration of Jesus, that astounding event immediately follows Christ's little promise that some of his disciples would see the kingdom of God in its glory and power before they died. Apparently we are supposed to see the verses that follow in each case as the fulfillment of what he told his friends.

The Power

What was the actual event of the Transfiguration like? Well, we can only imagine! It was the opening of a door between heaven and earth. Jesus set up this striking encounter with the world to come. He brought three people from earth (Peter, James, and John) and two from heaven (Elijah and Moses) to “a high mountain.”

Then “he (Jesus) was transfigured before them.” His clothes “became radiant, intensely white.” Peter, as the likely voice behind Mark's gospel, actually saw this take place, and it was not something of this world. Mark writes that Jesus' clothes had a brightness that “no one on earth” could achieve with the strongest bleach. The point is that this shining glory was not of this creation, but from heaven.

The next thing that we notice is that this experience was NOT overwhelming to the visitors from heaven, but it was deeply disorienting for the friends from the earth, except of course Jesus. Those who had heavenly experience were able to engage in a calm conversation—“they were talking with Jesus.” Peter, on the other hand, says something odd that is in its own way revealing: “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Peter understood that Jesus and his friends from heaven were to be served, and that was the only thing he could think to say about why it was good that he and his companions from Galilee were there. Mark writes what we understand from just reading the account. Peter “did not know what to say.” Why? “They were terrified.”

The power of heaven had a central focus—not the man of the Law, Moses, nor the ancient prophet, Elijah, but only Jesus.

We think about what it would be like to have the wall between heaven and earth breached. We return to these words: “I can only imagine.” Have you heard the moving song with that title? It was written by a man who had a troubled relationship with an abusive dad. His father was eventually restored by the Lord. Some time after this dramatic change, the dad died of cancer, and the son wrote the song with these words:

I can only imagine what it will be like

When I walk, by your side

I can only imagine what my eyes will see

When your face is before me

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

Surrounded by You glory

What will my heart feel

Will I dance for you Jesus

Or in awe of You be still

Will I stand in your presence

Or to my knees will I fall

Will I sing hallelujah

Will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes

When I find myself standing in the Son

I can only imagine when all I would do is forever

Forever worship You

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

Surrounded by You glory

What will my heart feel

Will I dance for you Jesus

Or in awe of You be still

Will I stand in your presence

Or to my knees will I fall

Will I sing hallelujah

Will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

The Transfiguration was a glimpse into what we can only imagine.

The Pronouncement

We're not done with the passage. “A cloud overshadowed them.” This was the same cloud that Moses knew in the wilderness as a pillar by day and a fire by night. It was the shining from within cloud of God's presence.

Mark 9:7 contains essential direction that comes out of that cloud for Peter, James, and John, the frightened men from the earth, and for us as well along with all those today who find themselves confused and in pain.

A voice within the cloud, which must be the Father himself, tells us the point for all who would hear: “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” Jesus has a Father. So do you.

What was the purpose of the Transfiguration of the Messiah? It was a divine witness to the heavenly status of Jesus as the eternal Son of the Father. It was also a call to all who would follow Jesus to listen to him. In this unusual experience that Peter and John wrote about again (See 2 Peter 1:16-18 and 1 John 1:1-4), Jesus gave his closest disciples a glimpse of the glory to come. The exaltation of Jesus was visible and clearly overwhelming. What did the Father say? “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”

What does it mean to listen to Jesus? More than we can say now, but consider the Lord's Prayer: 1. There is a Creator/creature distinction. 2. We are to call out to God in worship, to seek the honor of his Name and the wonder of his kingdom, doing his will. 3. We need to trust him for every need, forgive others, and turn away from evil. 4. if you believe 9:1-8, believe also the bigger promise of 8:38. Jesus is coming again in glory.

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 109 – An Object of Scorn

New Testament Reading—James 3:2-12 – A Perfect Man