Before a movie is released in theaters, audiences are teased with commercials cultivating interest and anticipation of the upcoming film. Die-hard fans even mark the movie’s opening on their calendar, making sure they’re among the first in line for the show. The trailer is a preview of coming attractions.
We should read the present text with this framework in mind. Thus far, Jesus’ disciples have confirmed their belief in Him as Messiah. However, they’re confused when Jesus explains that He must be rejected, suffer, and eventually die. They expected Him to overthrow Rome, remove Herod, ride to victory, form a cabinet, and ascend His throne. How could Jesus rescue His people if He were defeated and dead?
In this context, Jesus makes two important statements. He assures them that the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with angels (Mark 8:38) and He promises that some of the disciples will get a glimpse of the Kingdom before they die (Mark 9:1). A future glory and a coming Kingdom. With this, Jesus offers a preview of coming attractions.
Jesus led Peter, James, and John to a high mountain, perhaps Hermon which was 12 miles northeast of Caesarea. Arriving at the summit, Jesus was brilliantly changed before them. His clothes became whiter than any launderer could bleach them (9:3). The word “transfigured” is the Greek word metamorphothe (metamorphosis) and means “to be changed outwardly from what is within.” Jesus didn’t become something He wasn’t; He unveiled what was true about Himself but could not be readily seen.
Each year, trees change colors as autumn approaches. For much of the year, green chlorophyll masks the true color of the leaves. In the fall, as the chlorophyll diminishes, the radiant gold, orange, or sapphire color of the leaves is magnified. Similarly, the chlorophyll of Jesus’ humanity hid the beautiful reality of His divinity. On the mountainside, Jesus gave His disciples a glimpse of His true glory.
The glory of Jesus wouldn’t be hidden forever. Jesus knew that the Father would glorify Him again in His presence (John 17:5). Revelation 1:12-17 paints a picture of Jesus at His second coming with blazing eyes, glowing feet, and a majestic voice that commands authority. Whatever simple, humble, seemingly normal picture you have of Jesus now is merely hiding the magnificence of what is to come.
Similarly, Jesus’ veiled glory reminds us of the glory that is yet to be revealed in each of us (Romans 8:18). God predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29) and every day, we are being transformed with “increasing glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Our earthly lives are hiding who we really are and will one day be when the Kingdom of heaven is revealed.
KINGDOM GOSPEL
Jesus’ transfiguration wasn’t just about giving His disciples a preview of His Kingdom glory. He was also giving them a preview of the Kingdom Gospel. The mountaintop experience was reminiscent of a similar one in Exodus 24. Both the disciples and Moses encountered God “after six days” and “in the cloud” and heard a voice from heaven. But there was one notable difference between the two experiences: Moses was not allowed to see God’s face. That’s the problem prior to the cross. Even the best people can only see God turned away from them because of sin.
The Gospel of the Kingdom changes everything. Because of Jesus, people can now stand face-to-face with God and live. Reconciliation is possible, not because of what we do, but because of what Jesus does for us. In fact, as Jesus was changed, two figures—Moses and Elijah—briefly appeared with Him and then vanished. Moses represented the Law and Elijah represented the prophets. The Old Covenant Law and prophets pointed to Jesus and, once Jesus appeared, there was no longer any need for either. Salvation would be found in no one or nothing else. The Gospel of the Kingdom is found in Jesus alone.
KINGDOM GAIN
As Jesus presented a preview of Kingdom glory and the Kingdom Gospel, He left them with a preview of Kingdom gain. When Peter saw Moses and Elijah, he offered to build little booths for the holy men. The Feast of Tabernacles commemorated the Jews’ escape from Egypt and, during its observance, Jews would build temporary wood and canvas shelters. Zechariah 14 is one of the greatest prophecies about the coming Messiah, telling of the Lord’s return to conquer His enemies, rescue Israel, split the mountains and reign forever. During that time, God’s people will celebrate a final Feast of Tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16).
Remembering this Old Testament prophecy, Peter believed Jesus’ mountain metamorphosis was the arrival of the Kingdom. But he was premature. Indeed, the Kingdom broke through with Jesus, but the fullness of the Kingdom was yet to come. Jesus would have to suffer and die first. Then the resurrection, then the Kingdom. This is why Jesus urged the disciples not to talk about what they had seen until after His resurrection, because only then would people understand what true victory looked like (9:9). Until then, the heavenly voice of God instructed the disciples to “listen to Him!” (9:7).
The Kingdom requires a cross. This was true for Jesus and for people today. We may view death as loss. But God uses difficulty in a person’s life to cultivate Kingdom character. He has rescued us from darkness and slavery and we presently live in the temporary tent of our body. However, a greater heavenly dwelling waits for us in the future Kingdom. Until then, we endure hardship confident of the Kingdom glory, contented with the Kingdom Gospel, and counting on the Kingdom gain that is still to come.
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See also the "A Preview of Coming Attractions" sermon from the "King Jesus" sermon series about the Gospel of Mark.