Christ ALONE! Mark 9:1-8

Text: “But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”

Hebrews 2:9.

Good morning, transfigured Christian!  Once you were lost, now you are found; once you were blind; now you can see; once you were robed in the rags of your sins, now you are as one transfigured - suddenly and strikingly changed - and stand before God Almighty in the robes of Christ’s righteousness.  Surely that thought should cause all re-born children of God to sing in praise to Him.  We are Redeemed by Christ ALONE. 

“Neither is there Salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”          (Acts 4:12)

Today’s Bible reading relates the story of Christ’s miraculous transfiguration before Peter, James and John - upon a high mountain somewhere in Israel; as Christ prophesied would take place in verse one of our reading.

“And He said unto them, Verily I say unto you that there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the Kingdom of God come with power.” (V.1)

God always does what He says He will do - in His own perfect time; according to His own perfect will; and to fulfil His own Eternal Purpose.  What a Lord God!  Hallelujah!  (Numbers 23:19) (Ephesians 1:9-11)

But, why should the Lord reveal such a manifestation of Heavenly things to those of His disciples whom He was teaching the necessity of faith?  (Hebrews 11:1;6) (Romans 8:24) (Hebrews 4:2)

Think about it, my friend, muse upon the lesson Christ was here teaching, for it is an important one for the universal Christian Church today.

Not only does this passage teach us that we shall know each other in Heaven - it teaches us that we shall know each other even in our glorified bodies of sinless purity, as spoken of by the apostle John. 

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.”  (1 John 3:1-3) (Romans 8:29-30)

“As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalm 17:15)  

The disciples KNEW Elijah and Moses as they talked with Jesus.  We are not told how they knew them - but know them they most definitely did! (Vs.4-5)

No, the main thrust of Christ’s transfiguration was to teach us that we are to worship God ALONE, in the Person of Christ Jesus, as the Commandments instruct us. (Exodus 20:3-6)

There stood the mighty Moses representing the Law.  There stood the powerful Elijah who represented the prophets.  Yet, God’s Voice from Heaven proclaimed Jesus as God’s beloved Son, and instructed the three disciples to hear Him ALONE. (V.7)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

The last thing which demands our notice in this passage is the distinct testimony which it bears to Christ’s office and dignity, as the promised Messiah. We see this testimony first in the appearance of Moses and Elias, the representatives of the law and the prophets. They appear as witnesses that Jesus is He of whom they spoke in old times, and of whom they wrote that He would come. They disappear after a few minutes, and leave Jesus alone, as though they would show that they were only witnesses, and that our Master having come, the servants resign to Him the chief place.

“We see this testimony, secondly, in the miraculous voice from heaven, saying, “this is my beloved Son: hear Him.” The same voice of God the Father, which was heard at our Lord’s baptism, was heard once more at His transfiguration. On both occasions there was the same solemn declaration, “this is my beloved Son.” On this last occasion, there was an addition of two most important words, “Hear Him.” (J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels 1816-1900)

Thus, Christ alone is the Word; Christ alone was Crucified for us; Christ alone suffered the penalty for our vile sins; Christ alone died an infinite death in our place; and Christ alone rose again from the dead to justify His elect people, His Bride, the universal Church.  All praise to His Holy Name!  (John 3:16-17) (1 Corinthians 15:1-11) (Romans 5:1-2)

It was surely to this end that the Heavenly Voice was heard, for once God had spoken - the disciples “...saw no man any more save Jesus only...” (V.8) What an altogether lovely sight to see!              (1 Corinthians 3:1-11)

Let us, therefore, look only to the Living Lord Jesus Christ for Eternal Salvation, and live forever for that vital look.  Amen.  So be it, Lord God.

Thought:  There are many mighty Christians - but only One Almighty Christ Jesus.