Sermon: God’s Glory by Rev. Jessica Johnson
Date: March 3, 2019
Key Scripture Passages: Luke 9:28-36
Sermon:
Jesus, Moses, and Elijah
One of the commentaries that I read this week called this story the greatest Bible Conference there ever was! You had three of the greatest speakers: Moses represented the Law, Elijah represented the Prophets, and Jesus came to fulfill both the Law and Prophets. You had the greatest topic: the death and resurrection of Jesus and the deliverance of God’s people.
There are quite a few similarities in their stories. God used Moses and his voice in order to deliver the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt. Moses was given the Law of God on Mount Sinai. God fed Moses and the Israelites in the desert and cared for them. Throughout the story of Moses, God appears to him in the flames of the burning bush at Mount Horeb (Exodus 3), and as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night in the wilderness. Mount Horeb is also where Moses tapped the rock, and God provide the water (Exodus 17). God walked in front of Moses with His back to Moses on Mount Sinai, but His glory was enough to cause the face of Moses to shine, reflecting God’s radiance. He was one of the few people on earth to have seen God’s glory, even if he was not permitted to see God’s face (Exodus 19, 24, 31). There were rumors that Moses did not die, because His body was never found. God buried Moses Himself (Deuteronomy 34:6). After his death, it was said of Moses:
Date: March 3, 2019
Key Scripture Passages: Luke 9:28-36
Sermon:
Jesus, Moses, and Elijah
One of the commentaries that I read this week called this story the greatest Bible Conference there ever was! You had three of the greatest speakers: Moses represented the Law, Elijah represented the Prophets, and Jesus came to fulfill both the Law and Prophets. You had the greatest topic: the death and resurrection of Jesus and the deliverance of God’s people.
There are quite a few similarities in their stories. God used Moses and his voice in order to deliver the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt. Moses was given the Law of God on Mount Sinai. God fed Moses and the Israelites in the desert and cared for them. Throughout the story of Moses, God appears to him in the flames of the burning bush at Mount Horeb (Exodus 3), and as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night in the wilderness. Mount Horeb is also where Moses tapped the rock, and God provide the water (Exodus 17). God walked in front of Moses with His back to Moses on Mount Sinai, but His glory was enough to cause the face of Moses to shine, reflecting God’s radiance. He was one of the few people on earth to have seen God’s glory, even if he was not permitted to see God’s face (Exodus 19, 24, 31). There were rumors that Moses did not die, because His body was never found. God buried Moses Himself (Deuteronomy 34:6). After his death, it was said of Moses:
10 And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11 none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, 12 and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
Deuteronomy 34:10-12 ESV
Deuteronomy 34:10-12 ESV
On Mount Carmel, God used Elijah’s voice in order to challenge the prophets of Baal, and to deliver the Israelites from false gods. God showed His glory by casting down fire upon the altar. Elijah was also the only person in the Bible to return to Mount Horeb, the Mountain of God, also thought to be Mount Sinai where Moses was given the Law of God. While there, Elijah was pouting a bit, complaining he was the last follower of God left and that he was alone. This was after Jezebel and tried to have him killed. While he was there, God took care of him and fed him (1 Kings 19). Also, while Elijah was on the mountain, God walked in front of Him. A great wind, an earthquake, and a fire all passed through afterwards, but God was not in any of those things. Elijah did not see God’s glory there, but he heard God’s voice. Just like Moses, Elijah stood in the personal presence of God. Elijah did not die. God took him up to heaven in a chariot of fire with a whirlwind. Elijah’s body was never found.
Both Moses and Elijah are predicted to reappear. And some scholars think that the story of the Transfiguration fulfills that prophecy, but others think they will appear again in the end times. Moses represented the Law, and Elijah represented the Prophets. One of the reasons that the story of the Transfiguration is so important is that it confirms the identity of Christ. There were rumors spreading that Christ was Elijah returned or perhaps Moses. Since both men appeared on the mountain with Jesus, it confirms that Jesus is someone other than Elijah and Moses. Also, God appears in a cloud saying that this is Jesus, My Son. This is the second time that God appeared in a cloud confirming the identity of Jesus. The first was at the baptism of Jesus. Clouds and fire play heavily in all three stories.
Peter
We cannot forget the witnesses of this glorious event. Peter, James, and John, the inner circle of Jesus, was there witnessing the interaction of Jesus with Moses and Elijah. They were sleepy but wonder kept them awake. And because of that, they were able to glimpse God’s glory shining through Jesus. The disciples were able to overhear the conversation that confirmed what Jesus had predicted about His death. The disciples were able to witness what the kingdom of God looked like as Jesus, Moses, and Elijah conversed.
Peter recognized that this was a kingdom setting, perhaps that it was even a portrayal of the kingdom of God. Yet, his mouth gets him into trouble once again. Peter suggested that they should build 3 dwellings: one each for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Maybe he thought they were really there and needed shelter for the night? More likely, Peter wanted to do this to honor them, maybe even worship them? However, God appeared in a cloud, interrupting and correcting Peter. Luke 9:33-36 states:
Both Moses and Elijah are predicted to reappear. And some scholars think that the story of the Transfiguration fulfills that prophecy, but others think they will appear again in the end times. Moses represented the Law, and Elijah represented the Prophets. One of the reasons that the story of the Transfiguration is so important is that it confirms the identity of Christ. There were rumors spreading that Christ was Elijah returned or perhaps Moses. Since both men appeared on the mountain with Jesus, it confirms that Jesus is someone other than Elijah and Moses. Also, God appears in a cloud saying that this is Jesus, My Son. This is the second time that God appeared in a cloud confirming the identity of Jesus. The first was at the baptism of Jesus. Clouds and fire play heavily in all three stories.
Peter
We cannot forget the witnesses of this glorious event. Peter, James, and John, the inner circle of Jesus, was there witnessing the interaction of Jesus with Moses and Elijah. They were sleepy but wonder kept them awake. And because of that, they were able to glimpse God’s glory shining through Jesus. The disciples were able to overhear the conversation that confirmed what Jesus had predicted about His death. The disciples were able to witness what the kingdom of God looked like as Jesus, Moses, and Elijah conversed.
Peter recognized that this was a kingdom setting, perhaps that it was even a portrayal of the kingdom of God. Yet, his mouth gets him into trouble once again. Peter suggested that they should build 3 dwellings: one each for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Maybe he thought they were really there and needed shelter for the night? More likely, Peter wanted to do this to honor them, maybe even worship them? However, God appeared in a cloud, interrupting and correcting Peter. Luke 9:33-36 states:
33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
Luke 9:33-36 ESV
Luke 9:33-36 ESV
The Word Remains
Jesus was the Word of God. God used Jesus, the Word of God, to deliver all people from sin and death. This glorious story of the Transfiguration occurred for two reasons. First, Jesus was praying and in contact with the heavenly world. The disciples were able to see what could happen when Jesus was communing with God. This stresses the importance of prayer in a transformed life.
Second, the disciples stayed awake to see it happen. These experiences are wonderful, but the feelings of these experiences do fade. They can boost one’s faith, hopes, and beliefs. However, these experiences do not sustain our faith or walk with God. Yet, the Word of God remains. When God spoke in that pillar of cloud, Moses and Elijah returned to God’s side, leaving Jesus to stand there alone. God told the disciples to listen to Jesus. God’s Word never changes. It is God’s Word that nourishes and sustains our faith and our Christian walk.
God’s Glory
What can we learn from the story of the Transfiguration of Christ?
We are to be reflections of God’s glory. This can only be done if we are steeped in the written Word of God and in a personal relationship with Jesus, the Word of God. As we head into a new week, I pray that you intentionally seek the face of Jesus and to glorify God.
Further Suggested Study:
Jesus was the Word of God. God used Jesus, the Word of God, to deliver all people from sin and death. This glorious story of the Transfiguration occurred for two reasons. First, Jesus was praying and in contact with the heavenly world. The disciples were able to see what could happen when Jesus was communing with God. This stresses the importance of prayer in a transformed life.
Second, the disciples stayed awake to see it happen. These experiences are wonderful, but the feelings of these experiences do fade. They can boost one’s faith, hopes, and beliefs. However, these experiences do not sustain our faith or walk with God. Yet, the Word of God remains. When God spoke in that pillar of cloud, Moses and Elijah returned to God’s side, leaving Jesus to stand there alone. God told the disciples to listen to Jesus. God’s Word never changes. It is God’s Word that nourishes and sustains our faith and our Christian walk.
God’s Glory
What can we learn from the story of the Transfiguration of Christ?
- Prayer is critical to our spiritual life and relationship with God.
- God speaks things into action.
- Jesus is God’s one and only Son.
- We are to listen and follow Jesus.
- The kingdom of God is at hand. God did not just speak in the past; He is still speaking in the present.
- God’s glory as well as the sight of His face is too much to handle in our current state. It would kill us. Yet, we will see it one day in Heaven.
We are to be reflections of God’s glory. This can only be done if we are steeped in the written Word of God and in a personal relationship with Jesus, the Word of God. As we head into a new week, I pray that you intentionally seek the face of Jesus and to glorify God.
Further Suggested Study:
- Luke 9
- Exodus chapters 3, 17, 19, 24, 31, 34
- Deuteronomy 34
- 1 Kings 19
- Psalm 99
- 2 Corinthians chapters 3, 4
RSS Feed
