SERMON SERIES NOTES:
SERIES: Mark — The Cross Shaped Life
TEXT: Mark 9:1-13
MESSAGE: “He Leads the Humble”
“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” — Mark 8:34
“Mark 8:27–9:1 is a continental divide between the first and second halves of the Gospel…It teaches that a proper confession of Jesus involves a new understanding of discipleship. When believers confess who Jesus is, they also and inevitably confess what they must become…The statement “‘You are the Christ’” (v. 29) imposes a claim on the one who says it. The Son of Man calls those who would know him to follow him.” — James Edwards
“He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.” — Psalm 25:9
“…In ancient Rome, humility was a negative word associated with defeat…Academic research found that a humility revolution took place in the middle of the first century. Not only because of Jesus’ teaching. Jesus’ crucifixion changed the way people understood greatness and humility. The cross of Christ was contrary to the understanding of greatness in the ancient world.” — John Dickson
TEXT: Mark 9:1-13
“The transfiguration is something of “a preview of coming attractions.” It follows Peter’s great confession (Mark 8:27–30), Jesus’ prediction of His death (8:31–33), His call to radical discipleship (8:34–38), and His promise that some standing with Him will see the kingdom (9:1). These events are related. What happened to Moses in the early stages of redemptive history prefigured a greater Moses, a greater exodus, and a greater salvation. A new and greater Moses has arrived, the long-awaited prophet He had promised (Deut 18:15–20).” — Daniel Akin
(Adapted from David Garland, Mark, 342):
MOSES | JESUS |
Moses goes with three named persons plus 70 elders up the mountain (Exod 24:1, 9). | Jesus takes three disciples up the mountain (Mark 9:2). |
Moses’ skin shines when he descends from the mountain (Exod 34:29). | Jesus is transfigured and His clothes become radiantly white (Mark 9:2–3). |
God appears in veiled form in an overshadowing cloud (Exod 23:15–16, 18). | God appears in veiled form in an overshadowing cloud (Mark 9:7). |
A voice speaks from the cloud (Exod 24:16). | A voice speaks from the cloud (Mark 9:7). |
The people are afraid to come near Moses after he descends from the mountain (Exod 35:30). | The people are astonished when they see Jesus after He descends from the mountain (Mark 9:15). |
Q: What does the transfiguration teach us about humbly following Jesus? It shows us (it is)…(1. Truth Revealed 2. Jesus Alone 3. All Connected)
- Truth Revealed (v. 1-4)
“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.”
“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” —2 Peter 1:16
“It’s no accident that the transfiguration accounts in all three Synoptic Gospels are prefaced by Jesus’s declaration that some of his apostles were about to witness a preview of his second coming (see Matt 16:28; Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27)…the transfiguration no doubt was an advanced screening of our Lord’s return and God’s coming kingdom. Here Peter recalls the event because it represented and anticipated Christ’s powerful coming…” — James Shaddix and Daniel Akin
“For a brief moment our Lord’s true identity is allowed to shine forth in all its glory. Here is the Christ they will see when He triumphantly comes the second time, to establish His universal kingdom.” — Daniel Akin
- Jesus Alone (v. 5-8)
“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.”
“Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness.” ― C.J. Mahaney
- All Connected (v. 9-13)
“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. 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.’”
TAKEAWAYS: What does this new life look like? It reminds us that…
- God’s glory overcomes earthly humiliation
- God’s approval outlasts human recognition
- God’s plan outwits worldly wisdom
“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.” — 2 Peter 1:16-18