JESUS ONLY

LUKE 9:27-42


      Only a few days after the disciples’ confession of Christ and Jesus’ call to the cross, He took three of the Twelve to a high mountain (Mt. Hermon–9400 feet, six hour ascent Endnote ) for prayer. Now, from heaven’s vantage the three disciples heard again of the confession and the cross.

•          Heaven’s proclamation of Jesus as the Christ

•          Heaven’s preparation for Jesus on the cross Endnote


      A. B. Bruce said, “Who is able fully to speak of that wondrous night-scene among the mountains, during which heaven was for a few brief moments let down to earth. . . .” Endnote

“The [transfiguration] was a foretaste of the glory with which He should be rewarded after His passion, for His voluntary humiliation and obedience unto death.” Endnote


  I. Glory of Jesus only (9:27-29, 31-32, 34)


      A. See (27; Ex. 33:18; Jn. 12:41)


          1. Absent (tent–2 Cor. 5:1; Moses dead 1400 years [finally crossed the Jordan with Jesus])


          2. Alive (translated–1 Th. 4:17; Elijah dead 900 years; Jn. 21:22)


Mk. 13:26 [ESV]. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.


Rev. 1:7 [ESV]. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.


      B. Seek (28)


2 Chr. 7:1 [ESV]. As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.


      C. Shine (29)


          1. Alter (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:18; Phil. 2:6-7; glory inside manifested outside)


      David Smith said, “It became. . . ‘a spiritual body,’ and He appeared. . . even as when He manifested Himself after He had risen from the dead. . . .” Endnote


              a. Pre-existent deity (Jn. 17:5)


              b. Perfect humanity (Jn. 1:14; sinless)


      G. Campbell Morgan said, “The transfiguration was effected, not by glory falling on Him, but by inherent glory flashing forth.” Endnote


          2. Appear


              a. Light (sun)


Rev. 1:16 [ESV]. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.


Rev. 21:23 [ESV]. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.


                  (1) Radiance (reflection)


                  (2) Luminance (intensity)


              b. White (lightning; 1 Jn. 1:5)


1 Tim. 6:16 [ESV]. who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.


      Jesus glistened above the brightness of the sun. The sun with a surface temperature of approximately 5,315 degrees Celsius/9,600 Fahrenheit, gives off a white color (the hottest color possible) which appears yellow because of atmospheric scattering. Jesus, in glorious purity, outshone the light He created.


      D. Suffer (31)


      A. B. Bruce noted, “The ‘transfiguration,’ to be understood, must be viewed in connection with the announcement made by Jesus shortly before it happened, concerning His death.” Endnote


Lk. 24:26 [ESV]. Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?


Jn. 12:27-28 [GNB]. "Now my heart is troubled---and what shall I say? Shall I say, 'Father, do not let this hour come upon me'? But that is why I came---so that I might go through this hour of suffering.

 28. Father, bring glory to your name!" Then a voice spoke from heaven, "I have brought glory to it, and I will do so again."


Heb. 2:9 [ESV]. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.


          1. Recognition (Elijah and Moses: identity, consciousness, knowledge [sorrows of earth and joys of heaven–Lk. 16:25])


          2. Reconciliation (Rom. 3:25; Christ’s death, the conversation of heaven–Rev. 5:9)


      During the transfiguration, Jesus received “an actual visit from two. . . of the upper world. . . of glorified saints, who understood that their presence in heaven was due to the merits of that sacrifice which He was about to offer up in His own person on the hill of Calvary. . . .” Endnote Bruce said, “It was an aid to faith and patience. . . , in answer to His prayers, to cheer Him on His sorrowful path towards Jerusalem and Calvary.” Endnote


      E. Stay (32; three–Mk. 1:29, 3:16-17, 5:37, 9:2, 14:33)


2 Pet. 1:17-18 [GNB]. We were there when he was given honor and glory by God the Father, when the voice came to him from the Supreme Glory, saying, "This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased!"

 18. We ourselves heard this voice coming from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain.


The rays of Thy transfigured face
Beam with such golden light
That we would never leave the place,
Nor lose the heavenly sight.

But there is work on earth to do,
The suffering soul to heal;
The harvest great, the laborers few
Thy kingdom to reveal. (John Anketell, 1895)


      F. Shekinah (34)


Ex. 24:16 [GNB]. The dazzling light of the LORD's presence came down on the mountain. To the Israelites the light looked like a fire burning on top of the mountain. The cloud covered the mountain for six days, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from the cloud.


Open the eyes of my heart Lord,
Open the eyes of my heart,
I want to see You. I want to see You.
To see You high and lifted up,
Shining in the light of Your glory.
Pour out Your power and love,
As we sing holy, holy, holy.
Holy, holy holy. Holy, holy, holy.
Holy, holy, holy, I want to see You. (Paul Baloche)


 II. Grace of Jesus only (9:30, 33, 35-36)


      Robertson wrote, “One represented law, the other prophecy, while Jesus represented the gospel (grace).” Endnote


      A. Law (Dt. 18:15; Mt. Sinai)


      B. Prophets (Heb. 1:1-2; Mt. Horeb)


      C. Son (Ps. 2:7; Mt. 12:18; Mk. 1:11; Mt. Calvary)


      G. Campbell Morgan wrote, “He is sufficient, all that other prophets have spoken is fulfilled in Him, their messages have been but gleams of truth; He is the Truth.” Endnote


If I’ve Jesus, “Jesus only,”
I possess a cluster rare;
He’s the “Lily of the Valley,”
And the “Rose of Sharon” fair.

When I soar to realms of glory
And an entrance I await,
If I whisper, “Jesus only!”
Wide will open the pearly gate. (Hattie M. Conrey, 1894)


          1. Superiority of Christ (33; Heb. 3:5-6)


          2. Sufficiency of Christ (35; Hear Him!)


          3. Secrecy of Christ (36)


Ps. 25:14 [HCSB]. The secret counsel of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He reveals His covenant to them.


      G. Campbell Morgan said, “Let such as have seen a vision walk in its light, but remember that more precious than the vision is that which remains when the vision passes. . . ‘Jesus only.’” Endnote


III. Gospel of Jesus only (9:37-42)


1 Kg. 20:28 [ESV]. And a man of God came near and said to the king of Israel, "Thus says the LORD, 'Because the Syrians have said, "The LORD is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys," therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.'"

 

•          Mountaintop. Barclay wrote, “We cannot live forever in the moment on the mountain but we cannot live at all without it.” Endnote

•          Valley. Susanna Wesley prayed: “Help me, Lord, to remember that religion is not to be confined to the church or closet, nor exercised only in prayer and meditation, but that everywhere I am in thy presence.” Endnote


      G. Campbell Morgan said, “All mounts of vision. . . must be left, for the valleys.” Endnote


      A man once testified in one of Moody's meetings that he had lived "on the Mount of Transfiguration" for years. "How many souls have you won to Christ?" Moody bluntly asked him. "I don't know that I have won any," the man admitted. "Well," said Moody, "we don't want that kind of Mountaintop experience."


“No!” saith the Lord, “the hour is past,” we go;
Our home, our life, our duties lie below.
While here we kneel upon the mount of prayer,
The plough lies waiting in the furrow there!
Here we sought God that we might know His will;
There we must do it, serve Him, seek Him still. (Samuel Greg, 1854)


Here would we pitch our constant tent,
For ever here abide;
And dwell in peace and full content,
Dear Master, at Thy side.

But no! not yet to man ’tis given
To rest upon that height;
’Tis but a passing glimpse of Heav’n;
We must descend and fight. (Allen W. Chatfield, 1874)


Lord, lead us to the mountain height;
To prayer’s transfiguring glow;
And clothe us with the Spirit’s might
For grander work below. (David H. Ela, 1877)


      A. Helpless (37-39)


          1. Desperate cry


          2. Demonized child


      B. Powerless (40-42; desperate world and a powerless church, bring them to Me)


Jud. 16:20 [ESV]. And she said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" And he awoke from his sleep and said, "I will go out as at other times and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him.


          1. Availability (Mk. 9:23; Lk. 9:1)


          2. Ask (Mk. 9:29; Jas. 4:2; prayerless–powerless)


      David Smith said, “During His absence on the Mount they had employed themselves amiss. . . . They had refrained from prayer and had suffered the heavenly flame to burn low in their souls.” Endnote


      Morgan wrote, “It was when He was praying that He was transfigured. When the disciples pray as He prayed, they also will be transfigured as He was transfigured.” Endnote


      Jesus only saved that day. Only Jesus could help.


For salvation full and free,
Purchased once on Calvary,
Christ alone shall be my plea—
Jesus! Jesus only.


He my Guide from day to day,
As I journey on life’s way;
Close beside Him let me stay—
Jesus! Jesus only.


May my model ever be
Christ the Lord, and none save He,
That the world may see in me
Jesus! Jesus only.


He shall reign from shore to shore,
His the glory evermore—
Heav’n and earth shall bow before
Jesus! Jesus only.


Jesus only, let me see,
Jesus only, none save He,
Then my song shall ever be—
Jesus! Jesus only! (Oswald J. Smith, 1914)