Drew Boswell

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“A Gathering in a Garden” Mark 14:32-52

A Gathering in a Garden

Mark 14:32-52

 Introduction

The part of Jesus’ life that we will look at this morning if difficult to teach on and explain because it is really beyond any illustration or example that a teacher of God’s Word could point to today.  Nothing like what will transpire in the Garden of Gethsemane has ever happened or will ever happen again.

There is no humorous story I can tell, or story from my childhood, or modern day parallel of what Jesus went through that night.  We stand back and listen to His Words and see His despair, but are completely unable to understand any of it fully.

There is nothing that has happened in any of our lives that comes anywhere close to what Jesus endures here.  So before we look at it, and ask Lord what are we to learn from this let’s pray.

Prayer – Jesus, in Gethsemane we see you ask, if there is any other way for man to be saved other than you having to endure the Father’s wrath upon you, and you ask is there any other way – but there was no other way.  You experienced great anguish and terror.  Your body was so stressed that you sweat drops of blood.  Jesus, we don’t understand what you endured that night, but we thank you.  We love you, and show us how to apply your Word to our lives this morning.  Amen.

The Cup Bearer (vv. 32-35)

32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.”

Gethsemane, means “olive press” and is a garden found in an olive Grove where a press may have been located.  It was a place where Jesus went to often to pray, rest, and fellowship with the disciples.  It was situated on the Mt. of Olives and sat next to the Temple in the Kidron Valley.

Since Jesus knows that “the hour” is soon approaching, why does he leave a bulk of the disciples behind and only take three? He needed His closet earthly friends, those that “had his back” to support Him, and be with Him during this horrific night.

Jesus came as man’s mediator between man and God.  He is fully God and fully man.  1 Timothy 3:16 “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.”

1 John 1:1 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—.”

In the Garden, we see his full humanity.  V. 33 says that Jesus “began to be greatly distressed and troubled” John 14:23 “Jesus replied, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’”  The only way for The Father to make his home among mankind, is for the Son to lay down His life for them.

Jesus is greatly distressed because He is contemplating the Father’s wrath and the “hour” has now come to be poured out onto Him.  Jesus at no other point is distressed, never does He experience terror, no where is he afraid – except here.

For Jesus, as He prays in the Garden, he begins to experience the wrath of God, each moment that goes by from this point onward, the cup is poured out upon Him faster and faster, heavier and heavier upon His head.

We see first that as He begins to approach the hour of the cross, he will do it alone; Everyone will abandon Him.  He tells the disciples, v. 27 “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”  29Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” But by the time the rooster had crowed three times, Peter had denied Him, and ran away.  Here “the disciples fell asleep.”

Even when He looks them straight in the eye and says, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” they sleep.  And v. 50 as the soldiers take Him off, as He appears before Pilate and the Sanhedrin, “Then everyone deserted him and fled.”

Jesus would have to endure God’s wrath upon Him all alone.  There would be no friends, no disciples, no angels – He would stand and be crushed all alone.   Jesus cries out, “36“Abba [Daddy], Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Matthew 3:16-17 “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”  

 Every time Jesus has even prayed and talked to the Father, he was encouraged, was told what was to happen next, told what to do, ministered to, they had a perfect relationship – but now there is no answer, only silence.  The Father has begun to look away from His Son, the wrath is beginning to fall in the Garden – and he is all alone.

We also see that for Jesus, there is great distress of His soul.  “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” This time was not a surprise, He had warned the disciples.  Jesus knew that He would lay down His death for mankind.  From Jesus’ perspective He is beginning to endure this “cup” of God’s wrath, all alone.

In Mark 10:32 Jesus is leading the way to Jerusalem, to His death.  Jesus leads the way in His own death march. During the Last Supper Jesus leads them in hymns and songs as they exit the room to go to the garden.  Even afterwards, it is Jesus who leads the way toward Judas, (v. 42) “Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand!”

But only here there is there deep sorrow, and being washed over by horror.  Why? Jesus is getting a foretaste of what it means to be the world’s sin bearer.  The cup has begun to be poured out upon Him.  My sin caused Jesus to be filled with horror and anguish when He glimpsed into the pit of God’s wrath.

This is what my sin required – Jesus’ suffering was required in order for me to be forgiven.  Are you moved by His love for you this morning?

Jesus said, “Yet not what I will, but what you will.” As He takes in all that He was about to endure from the Father and for us, He stumbles.  He does not stumble into sin, but under the weight and pain He was about to endure.  He knows there is no way, but He asks – is there any other way?  But there is no answer, there is no other way.

So, He resolved to drink the cup of wrath dry, so that you may drink the cup of salvation.  He said, I will do whatever is required for them to be saved.  I will endure this for them.  It is the only way – if there had been some other way, at that moment the Father would have said something.   There was no other way.

The Sleeper (vv. 36-42)

And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41 And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

Every time we see the disciples in this passage, they are asleep.  Jesus returns to them on three different occasions, and finds them asleep.  Why is this detail given?  Because it shows us from whose perspective we are to receive this passage.  Jesus is at the hardest time in His life here in this earth – and He is all alone.

His “soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” and no one is there to help Him.  He tells them, but they are so consumed with their physical condition, that now they are only focused on themselves.  They had just eaten a large dinner, they had been ministering with Christ all day, and now they were sleepy.

Jesus begs them to pray, but they sleep.  Jesus is experiencing the wrath of God upon His life, His sorrow is overwhelming, but he stops praying on three different occasions to minister to the disciples.  Those that He knew would abandon Him, and would not even pray when He asked them to, He goes back, and goes back, and goes back again to minister to them.

Peter, James, John – wake up, you need to pray – something very important is about to happen.  I am about to die, and you need to be ready!  Would they have been so fearful afterwards had they prayed that night?  Would they have scattered so quickly, if they had prayed?  Would they have lacked hope, had they prayed that night?

We must recognize His love for us in His darkest hour.  Jesus endured this horrific time in His life because of His love for you and for me.  Receive His care for you in your darkest hour.  Jesus knows suffering and is more than able to minister to you.

Hebrews 4:14-16 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

After this initial tremor of the crucifixion that was to come, an angel went and ministered to Jesus.  But you know what, when we enter our darkest hour – we have someone infinitely better than an angel – we have Jesus Himself, who is not sleeping but 1 John 2:1 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

Jesus speaks to the Father on our behalf.  When the accuser, Satan flails and points out our sin to the Father, Jesus leans over, “He’s one that you gave me, I took care of that sin.”  The Righteous One, speaks on our behalf.

Once He has wakened the disciples on three occasions, he says, “Enough! The hour has come.” Jesus had begged them to pray during this time, but the time for prayer was over – now there was a series of events that were about to unfold that the disciples would have to endure with no prayer.

The Betrayer (43-52)

“And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” 45 And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 46 And they laid hands on him and seized him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” 50 And they all left him and fled. 51 And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.”

Judas goes at once to Jesus and kisses his cheek and calls Him Rabbi.  Rabbi was a common expression to your teacher.  Jesus had taught Judas as a teacher for three and half years.  Judas was there as Jesus explained the meaning of life, what His parables meant – he was on the inside, a part of the inner circle of Christ’s teaching ministry.

Jesus would be poured out as an offering for mankind, but Jesus had poured Himself into Judas – only 1 of 12 in all the world had this kind of access to Jesus.  Jesus was Judas’ teacher.

A kiss was a common way for a disciple to greet his teacher, is intimate between two people.  The Greek indicates that this was not a peck, but a prolonged kiss on Christ’s cheek.

Judas draws from his knowledge of Jesus and His patterns of life.  In order to betray Jesus he wanted a place where he knew that he would be (Jesus would go there to pray) and where there would few people (Jesus went there often with His disciples.

Judas was one of the few who had this intimate relationship with Jesus.  Not just everyone would know where they could find Jesus, and not just anyone could go up to a Rabbi and kiss their cheek – only one their disciples.  What makes this such a bitter betrayal is that Judas used His knowledge and intimacy with Christ in order to betray Him.

Not only would Jesus have to endure isolation, agony of His soul, the wrath of the Father, but He would be betrayed by one who He opened His heart and life to (He only did this with 12 people).  These 12 knew Jesus better than anyone else on the planet and one of them would betray Him, One would deny Him three times, all would leave Him.

This is why when we sin, it so horrific.  We who Jesus endured all these things for, we who Jesus draws us close for a close relationship and friendship.  We who know him like the world does not, when we sin we betray Him.  We call Him teacher, Savior, and kiss His cheek – only to hand Him over be crucified.

Hebrews 6:4-6 “For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.”

Conclusion

What do we do with Christ asking us to pray? What do we do with Christ’s agony and anguish in the Garden, and the fact that it was all because of us?  What do we do with the knowledge that we ridicule and betray Christ every time we sin?

Seek His face today.  Seek the face of one who willingly gave His life for you, because He loves the Father and followed in obedience and loves you.  Ask for His forgiveness, not in a way of saying “teacher,” that you really don’t mean it, but with a “broken and contrite heart.” Ask for His forgiveness and thank Him for His precious gift that He gave us.

Romans 3:22-23 “. . . the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for fall have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. . .”

The Fundamentals of Our Faith; What We Believe Sermon Series “We Believe in the Church” Miscellaneous Verses

The Fundamentals of Our Faith;

What We Believe Sermon Series

“We Believe in the Church”

Miscellaneous Verses

 Introduction

 Reading of the 1972 church bulletin (see scanned copy) 20221019134353550

 Prayer

 What Is the Church?

The New Testament uses the Greek word ekklesia which translated means “an assembly or a group of called out ones who gather for a meeting.” Ekklesia is where we get our English word church. The church then are those whom God has called out, and are gathered together.

So, “according to the NT the church is primarily a body of people who profess and give evidence that they have been saved by God’s grace alone, for his glory alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.”[1] The church is not a building; the early church did not even have buildings until 300 years later. You don’t go to church, you are the church.

There are two ways of understanding the church – there is the universal church; that is everyone who is a Christian in the world. And then there is the local gatherings of Christians, or the local church.

A local church meets regularly. Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

The Church is Like a Building

Ephesians 2:19-22 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,4 but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

Paul gives us the image of each stone in a metaphorical building having a name on it. You are a stone, and I am a stone, and those that we lead to the Lord, are layered on top of us – each generation, layer upon layer building up the kingdom.

The Church is Like a Bride

The church is described as the bride of Christ. Ephesians 5:22-23 “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.” This passage teaches that the sacrificial love of Jesus for his people is to be reflected in a husband’s love for his wife. The submission of the church to Jesus is to be reflected in a wife’s submission to her husband.

“Jesus identifies himself as the Bridegroom when he asked why his disciples don’t fast (Mark 2:19), and he tells parables about a wedding feast to describe his coming kingdom (Matt. 22:1-14; 25:1-13). Paul says that the mystery of marriage is about Christ and the church (Eph. 2:22-33).

Believers are depicted as pure virgins (Rev. 14:4), and when Jesus returns for his people, the multitude announces that the marriage of the Lamb has come and the bride has made herself ready (Rev. 19:7).”[2] Therefore, as the bride of Christ, the church should not commit adultery with the world, and would be faithful to Christ alone.

The Church is Like a Body

Paul talks about marriage and how it refers to Christ and the church (Eph. 5:32) immediately follows his quote of Genesis 2:24, declaring that man and woman become one flesh in marriage (Eph. 5:31). There is a special, unique bond, a relationship, between a husband and wife who are faithful to each other. This is the image Paul gives for the relationship between Christ and the church.

The apostle Paul’s favorite picture for the church was the body. It is the metaphor of the body that communicates unity of the church. Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” The emphasis of both of these passages is on the relationship the members of the body have with one another.

Paul emphasizes that the body of Christ must have unity. Paul uses the Lord’s Supper in 1 Cor. 10:16-17 as an example of the unity the church body has – It is an expression of the oneness. “There can be little doubt that Paul intends to emphasize the kind of bonding relationship of the worshippers with one another that the meal expresses.”[3] Baptism is also an expression of unity with a local body of believers as a picture of a person’s having already placed their faith in Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).

Within the Body of Christ there is also unity in diversity. Romans 12:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 are very similar messages: many members, but one body; diversity of gifts, but one body. In this passage, Paul also reminds the church that it is only a supernatural power common to life in Christ that allows them to overcome natural divisions they find themselves in (Greek, Jew, slave, free, male, female, etc.)

With regard to our essential beliefs – we have unity. Ephesians 4:4-16 “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (ex. Trinity)

In non-essential beliefs – we have liberty. Rom.14:1, 4, 12, 22 “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters … Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls… So then each of us will give an account of himself to God … So whatever you believe about things keep between yourself and God.” (ex. End Times timelines)

In all our beliefs – we show love. 1 Cor. 13:2 “And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”

What Does the Church Do?

In Acts 2 we see that “the Christians in the first century “continued . . . in fellowship”; they “were togther.” They took care of each other, whenever anyone had need. They continued “with one accord.” They [broke] bread from house to house.” They lived as part of each other’s lives.”[4]

The ministry of the church is a process of the building up of the body. Ephesians 4:12, 16 says that the church leadership’s job is to “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, . . . v. 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

The church makes disciples. We are all different in our gifting, calling, life experiences, and passions – but as we all grow in the Lord, together, as a unified body of Christ we build the kingdom of God. Our spiritual gifts were not given for us to use individually in separate efforts to make disciples, or for our own benefit.

The command given to us, to make disciples, is in the context of the church and together everyone working together, make disciples. We need each other the way the head needs the neck to support it.

Romans 12:4-5 “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Notice that we do not become the body of Christ when we decide to work together, we are the body of Christ whether we work together or not. Therefore, we can choose to be dysfunctional by working against each other, or we can be effective disciple makers by working together.[5]

If we go back to Acts 2:42-47, it gives us a snapshot of what the church should look like; what it should be doing “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

“These churches gather to act in a variety of ways. They gather to worship (Acts 13:2-3; 1 Cor. 14:23ff.), which seems to include prayer (Acts 12:5; 13:3; 14:23), reading of Scripture (Col. 4:16; 1 Tim. 4:13), teaching from the leaders (Acts 20:28-31; Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 3:2), the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:18ff.). They enjoy fellowship within the local assembly and with other local churches (Rom. 16:16). The church serves widows and the needy (1 Tim. 5:16; 1 Cor. 16:1). Believers are involved in spreading the gospel, both personally (Acts 8:2-4) and through those sent by the church (Acts 13:2-3).”[6]

 Who Leads the Church?

The local church is to be led by qualified leaders, according to the Scriptures. The NT uses several terms that reference the leaders within a church. “Elder (presbyteros) is the term used most often (Acts 14:23; 15:2,22), but bishop or overseer (episkopos) is also found (Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1), along with deacon (1 Tim. 3:8). The most commonly used term among Baptists today, pastor, is used only once Eph. 4:11.”[7]

Jesus’ favorite description of the church was a flock of sheep (John 10:1-30, Matt.26:31, Matt. 25:33). Therefore, it is cared for and led by a shepherd. John 21:16-17 “He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

1 Pet. 5:1-2 has the three roles in one verse showing what a church leader does, “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,” so does,

Acts 20:17-18, 28 “Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, . . . Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”[8]

The word for elder is emphasizing the qualifications that church leadership is to have, pastor/teacher emphasizes their care for the flock, and the word for overseer refers to their having administrative oversight.

 In Acts 6 we see where deacons emerged as a leadership office in the church, “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.” So, Deacons are to look after the physical needs of the congregation (Acts 6:1-16) qualifications for deacons is given in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Both of these leadership offices must meet the qualifications set down in Scripture.

 Why Join A Church?

The Bible is very clear that we are not to live out our Christian faith alone. Our walk with the Lord is not just isolated spiritual disciplines that we work on (prayer, Bible study, serving others, etc.)

Followers of Jesus are to be baptized, and regularly celebrate the Lord’s Supper – these are two examples of things we do as a group. Millard Erickson said, “Christianity is a corporate matter, and the Christian life can be fully realized only in relationship with others.”[9]

“Church membership is a crucial topic for understanding what Christ is calling us to as his disciples. Joining a church will not save us anymore than our good works, education, culture, friendships, financial contributions, or baptism will save us. Non-Christians should not seek to join a church, but to learn more about what it means to be a Christian.”[10]

“This is my church. It is composed of people just like me. It will be friendly if I am. It will do a great work if I work. It will make generous gifts to many causes if I am generous. It will bring others into its fellowship if I bring them. Its seats will be filled if I fill them. It will be a church of loyalty and love, of faith and service. If I who make it what it is, am filled with these, Therefore, with God’s help, I dedicate myself to the task of being all these things I want my church to be.”[11]

_____________________ 

[1] Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church (Wheaton, Illinois; Crossway Publishing, 2021) 123.

[2] James M. Hamilton, What is Biblical Theology? A Guide to the Bible’s Story, Symbolism, and Patterns (Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway Publishing, 2014) 100.

[3] Gordon Fee, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, ed. F.F. Bruce (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987), 466 (from Hammett, 38).

[4] Max Anders, New Christian’s Handbook, Everything New Believers Need to Know (Nashville, Tennessee; Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1999) 150.

[5] Anders, 141.

[6] Hammett, 29.

[7] John S. Hammett, Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches, A Contemporary Ecclesiology (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Kregel Publications, 2005) 28.

[8] See also Titus 1:5-7, 1 Tim. 5:17

[9] Millard Erickson, Christian Theology (2nd. Ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Publishing, 1998) 1058.

[10] Dever, 125.

[11] https://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/this-is-my-church

Christ’s Power Over Every Need The Gospel of Mark Sermon Series “The Transfiguration of Jesus” Mark 9:2-13

Christ’s Power Over Every Need

The Gospel of Mark Sermon Series

“The Transfiguration of Jesus”

Mark 9:2-13

 Introduction

The story of Lady Shalott – poem by Alfred Tennyson

Paintings by John William Waterhouse

Seeing life through a reflection of reality.

Prayer

Jesus Prepares the Disciples For the Hard Days Ahead (vv. 2-4)

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.

In the OT there is a common theme for God to take leaders (Elijah, Moses) to a mountain and there reveal Himself to them. Exodus 24:15-16 “Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory of the LORD dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days.”

It represents a time of preparation for the reception of revelation. God is preparing the disciples for a revelation that is coming. Jesus seems to view his announcement of his suffering that is about to happen to be so important that takes three of the twelve aside to prepare them. Jesus only took three, of the twelve to the mountain, “Peter, James, and John.”

Jesus has already given a hint of this glory in Mark 8:38 “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

In the description of Jesus’ transfiguration, we are not given very much detail, but when we look at other passages that use this same word (i.e. 2 Cor, 3:18, and Romans 12:2) we see “that which is outward represents and expresses a true glory that dwells within.”[1] Jesus’ divine nature is being revealed through the human body.

The English word transfigured is the Greek verb metamorphoo meaning, “to change into another form,”[2] “to change in a manner visible to others,” or “to change inwardly in fundamental character or condition,”[3]

Cole says, “in a sense, we are wrong to call this “transfiguration,” as though it was unique: the true great transfiguration, the metamorphosis, had already taken place at Bethlehem when God took human form. . .”[4]

When discussing Jesus being transfigured, Mark describes his clothes, “became radiant, intensely white,” and who appeared to them, “Elijah with Moses.” “In the OT the glory of God is always conceived as shining brilliance or bright light.”[5]

(v. 4) “The appearance of Moses and Elijah represent the coming together of the Law and Prophets. Each of these sections of the Old Testament Scriptures prophesied about the coming Messiah.”[6]

Moses representing all of the law, and Elijah representing all of the prophesy pointing to the Messiah are there “to testify to the character and mission” of Jesus. “Both the law and the prophets Christ was thus to fulfill;”[7] We don’t know if the disciples overheard what they saying, if they understood or followed what they were talking about.

When Elijah was at the lowest point of his life, God came and encouraged him and ministered to him. 1 Kings 19:5-8 Elijah is running for his life from the evil queen Jezebel “But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” Now a man comes and talks with and encourages Jesus.

Moses used to pitch a tent way outside of the Israelite camp and would meet with God, the tent of Meeting. The pillar of smoke would move to the front of this tent while Moses and God met together. Exodus 33:11 “Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Here God’s friend has come to encourage and talk again with Jesus.

Mankind can have a friendship and minister together with God.

God the Father speaks from heaven, all of the law and prophets are represented, and Jesus’ appearance become brilliant light – all confirming Jesus as the Messiah.

Jesus has already told them that he must suffer, and will die (at which Peter rebukes him), and now Jesus is being transfigured. “It offers assurance that despite apparent abandonment by God, Jesus is the Lord’s Servant who prospers in the task he has been sent to accomplish.”[8]

This was for the disciple’s benefit, Jesus was transfigured (v. 3) “before them” and (v. 4) “And there appeared to them, Elijah and Moses.” It is a way of preparing them for the suffering that they also will be experiencing soon.

We can face the hard things in life, if we understand who Jesus really is – Jesus is God, and above all. He is above every person, everything in creation, every circumstance, every and anything we may encounter during our lives; and He rules above all – there is nothing that is above Him.

These disciples are about to endure seeing their rabbi and friend beaten beyond recognition, flogged, and crucified – they needed to know that while all that was going on, He could with a word stop it all. He was more powerful than the crucifixion, but endured it for their sake.

Jesus Wants the Disciples to Experience Being in the Presence of God (vv. 5-8)

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.

(v. 5) Peter, being terrified, suggested that they build them booths – temporary shelters. Peter is thinking, “Why would Jesus bring them along, unless He wanted them to do something once they are there with Moses and Elijah.” Peter is trying to organize the moment, organize Jesus. You cannot organize Jesus.

Jesus is not wanting them to do something, He is wanting them to experience something. For people who want to be doing something to feel productive, this is really hard.

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Peter had acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ, the promised Messiah (Mark 8:29). God the Father does not respond to Peter’s comment – Peter doesn’t understand but Jesus is on the way to the cross, and to delay that by camping on the mountainside was not part of the plan. He wanted to slow the moment down. Peter keeps trying to interrupt the plan; he wants to be helpful but doesn’t understand the plan.

(v. 7) “And a cloud overshadowed them” – This appearance of a cloud and the presence of the Lord is what the OT calls, Shekinah glory of God.[9] It has been six hundred years since anyone had seen this special appearance of God. Peter, James, and John were permitted to directly behold God’s glory – because Jesus was with them.

But in a voice God the Father tells them, that Jesus is the Son of God (i.e. God), “This is my beloved Son; listen to him. But even with seeing Moses and Elijah, hearing the voice of God from heaven, and seeing Jesus transfigured, they still are not grasping the significance of the moment.

(v. 7) “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” – God the Father, in a voice from heaven, is identifying Jesus as His Son (that he loves greatly), and He gives them an instruction, “listen to him.”[10] Think of all that God could have said to the disciples, yet He chose these three words; only three. Listen to him.

The human body has the capability to filter out sound. Right now there are countless sounds around us (your heartbeat, the air conditioning cycling on and off, the sound of your breathing, road noise, the person next to you moving around, etc.) but we filter out all that noise and focus on what is important to us. It is the difference between hearing and listening. Focus.

The only true listening known in the Bible is obedient listening. James 1:22-23 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” So we are to focus on the words of Jesus, so that we may also obey them.

Wiersbe also helps us understand that God speaks and directs them “not on the vision, but on the Word of God; “Listen to Him!” The memory of visions will fade, but the unchanging Word abides forever. The glorious vision was not an end in itself; it was God’s way of confirming the Word (see 2 Peter 1:12-21). Discipleship is not built on spectacular visions but on the inspired, unchanging Word of God.”[11]

The Father from heaven is affirming “Jesus is the unique Son of God who enjoys the unbroken presence and approval of the Father.”[12] Jesus is the one with the plan, stop trying to do your own plan, and listen to Jesus.

Jesus Wants the Disciples to Know That There is More To Come (vv. 9-13)

9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.[13] 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 12 And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

Why does Jesus lead three of the disciples up the mountain, transfigure before them, and then tell them not to tell anyone? What they see will be important later – they needed to know Jesus was fully man (he was hungry, tired, expressed emotions, etc.) but Jesus was also fully God. God wasn’t just with Jesus as He was being the Messiah, but Jesus was God as the Messiah.

Why do we need to know that Jesus is God? If Jesus were any man who had managed to gather a following (Mohammed, Budda) then you can take their words as suggestions, teachings to add to your life. You can take their teachings, or leave their teachings based on if you think they are helpful or not.

Not so with Jesus. If Jesus is God, then when He speaks, then it is the Word of God – and as your Creator has the right to direct you into action. If you reject Jesus’ words, and ignore His life, then you reject and ignore God, and for that there will be consequences.

Even with Jesus speaking plainly to them earlier in the chapter, and here with God speaking, and the appearance of Moses and Elijah, they still don’t understand Jesus’ mission involving him suffering and eventually dying, “So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean.” It is not until Jesus rose from the dead (and Jesus Himself explains it to them), that the significance of his suffering could be grasped by the disciples.

The disciples ask Jesus about the scribe’s teachings regarding Elijah, and Jesus answers them. But then he directs them to consider themselves what the Bible teaches regarding, “And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? Stop worrying about what the scribes say about the Word of God, and start interpreting it through the Words of Jesus. How do we understand and interpret all they seen and experienced? – through the Words of Jesus. He explains it all.

(v. 12) The end of the OT, Malachi 4:5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.” The religious leaders are correct in teaching that the Bible says that God would send Elijah as a forerunner to the Messiah – But here, Elijah had come after Jesus, and then he left quickly, without connection with the kingdom. Elijah was to come, be a restorer of the people back to God, a preparer of the way of the Lord. John the Baptist fulfilled this role of Elijah when He preached repentance in the wilderness.

There’s a scene in The Wizard of Oz in which Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion encounter the “real” wizard. You remember, right? The giant screen has shown a powerful, larger-than-life person whose booming voice rings out across Emerald City. Toto pulls back the curtain, however, and everyone finds that the wizard is just a man. It’s all showbiz, lights and amplification.

His cry of “pay no attention to the man behind the curtain” falls on deaf ears. When the curtain is pulled back, he is seen for what he is. In today’s passage, the curtain is pulled away for just for a moment and we see Jesus in His glory – so now that we know He is God, and we have His Word – what will you do with Jesus?

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[1] W. N. Clarke, An American Commentary on the New Testament, Gospel of Mark (Valley Forge, Pennsylvania; Judson Press, 1950) 126.

[2] Frank Gaebelein, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing, 1984) 699.

[3] James McGowan, Twenthy-First Century Biblical Commentary Series, The Gospel of Mark (Chatanooga, Tennessee; AMG Publishers, 2006) 118.

[4] McGowan, 118.

[5] William L. Lane, The Gospel According to Mark (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Eerdsmans Publishing, 1974) 318.

[6] Max Anders, Holman New Testament Commentary, Mark (Nashville, Tennessee; Holman Publishing, 2000) 146.

[7] Clarke, 127.

[8] Lane, 316.

[9] Ex. 13:21; 16:10; 19:9, 16; 24:15-16; 33:9.

[10] Deuteronomy 18:15f.

[11] McGowan, 120.

[12] Lane 321.

[13] This is the final command to be silent in Mark’s gospel. McGowan, 121.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith." Ephesians 2:8

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