Listen to Him!
Scripture: Mark 9:2-9 (NRSVue)
The Transfiguration gives us great hope—Jesus’ destiny is our destiny. Like Jesus, we have the promise of being transfigured—shining like the sun. When Jesus’ resurrection glory was foreshadowed in the bright cloud and thundering affirmation of the Father, “Listen to him!”, the disciples went down on the ground, but Jesus lifted them up. “Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord,” say the Scriptures, “and he will lift you up.” In Christ we have both the humility of suffering and crucifixion and the glory of his transfiguration and resurrection. His bright white garments symbolized not only his majesty, but also the martyrdom he would endure on the cross. Even the symbol of the cross is transfigured by Christ. Once a symbol of death—a brutal form of capital punishment, was transfigured by Christ into a symbol of life—good triumphing over evil. We go up the mountain with Christ for the mountaintop experience, and then we go down with Christ into the valley to serve and follow God’s mission to the cross…and out of the empty tomb. Even in seasons of trials and tribulations, we can hold on to the hope of transfiguration.
Sermon Art: Transfiguration, Hanna Borowska
Worship Service (YouTube video links)
- 8:30 am service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CgR4ihnfT4
- 11:00 am service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rlb8B5eKqo
February 11, 2024
- 8:30 am – Alternative Worship Service Bulletin (click)
- 11:00 am – Traditional Worship Service Bulletin (click)
All of Immanuel’s Worship Service Videos are available on our YouTube Channel.
All of Immanuel’s Sermons are available in our Library of Sermons.
Discussion Questions:
- Thoughts, questions, observations about passage?
- Have you ever had a literal or figurative mountaintop experience? Why do mountains have spiritual significance in the Scriptures and in our own lives?
- Why do you think the transfiguration was a private event rather than a big, publicized event?
- What does the transfiguration tell us about Jesus? What does it tell us about our future?
- The Father’s voice affirmed Jesus in a very similar way that he did at Jesus’ baptism. Do you think Jesus needed to hear these words? Was it more for Jesus or for the disciples?
- The passage mentions that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were talking. What do you imagine their conversation to be about?
- All three of them were shining. What does this tell us about the transfiguration? If all three were shining, does that mean all three were equal in significance?
- What are your impressions of Peter’s response? Can you think of other ways to respond?
- What do Jesus’ words and actions in v.7 tell us about Jesus?
- Why did Jesus order them not to tell anyone about the transfiguration until after his resurrection?
- Why is it hard to come down from mountaintop experiences?
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