Carriwickets, Transfiguration and Transformation    Mark 8:27-9:13

Sermon by Pastor Dennis Gleason -- April 16, 2006

You will remember that  a "carriwicket" is a puzzling question.

Have you read or heard anything about the fiasco with the jurors who were chosen for the trial of George Ryan? To be chosen as a juror for any trial, you have to answer a series of questions from the prosecutor or the defense attorney before you are seated as a juror for the case.

Three jurors of the twelve chosen to hear the case were dismissed from the deliberations on the case after over 6 months. Apparently they lied about having trouble with such little indiscretions as having criminal charges, including felony convictions for drunken driving when questioned as prospective jurors to hear the case.

Here is the carriwicket that started the ball rolling for the dismissal of one of the male jurors:
“Have you ever been charged with a crime?” He answered “No.” The man had a rap sheet that included weapons charges and a conviction for a felony DUI. Here we have both a puzzling question and a puzzling answer!

‘The following is an excerpt from the court record of the questioning of this male juror:

Court: “The period of time when you actually lost your license, when it was revoked, do you know who was the secretary of state at that time?”

Juror:  “God, I never thought of that. The bad part of my life, that I won’t forget, is 1996. So then that would have been George Ryan.”
Court:  All right
Juror:  “Wow.” I never even…
Court: But your license was revoked by order of the court, correct? Or do you know?
Juror: “I’m not sure. Court or Secretary of State.

Jesus asks his disciples two carriwickets. The first puzzling question Jesus asks his disciples is this: “Who do people say that I am?” And the answers were: John the Baptist, Elijah and one of the prophets.”
The second puzzling question was: “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” To which Peter answers: “You are the Christ.” Christ is a title. We use it like a name for Jesus but it is a title. The title is the Messiah and Christ is the Greek for Messiah.

These questions bring us to a change in the approach of Jesus to his disciples and those to whom he ministers. Prior to this expression of Peter to the question Jesus poses, Jesus has been establishing the fact that He is the Messiah, Israel’s promised King.

But now he begins to show his disciples how he must suffer. He begins talking about the cross and the suffering that will lead to his death. He has not talked to them about the cross before this, nor the resurrection to follow.

If you follow along in our text you will see that the disciples want nothing to do with it. Peter takes Jesus aside and rebukes him for speaking about it.  But Jesus responded to Peter with these words:  “Get behind me Satan!” The words are addressed to Satan and not Peter. It is one more attempt by Satan to get Jesus to accept the Kingdoms of the world with out going to the cross. And Jesus sees it for what it is and responds to Satan immediately. Peter’s response is a stumbling block and Jesus will not entertain it.

Not only is Jesus going to the cross to suffer there; but any who want to follow Jesus must deny themselves and take up the cross too. If you try to save your life, you will lose it. If you are willing to lose your life for Jesus’ sake, you will truly find it.

Jesus must suffer. The cross is a compulsion, a necessity. But it is not circumstances that will force him to go to the cross. No it is the will of God that compels him to the cross. He was going to the cross because it was how he would fulfill his mission…to build his kingdom, to set us free from sin and death and to fulfill God’s will.

The disciples viewed the resurrection as something way in the future. At the death of Lazarus, Martha’s response to Jesus is quite typical of what they believed: she knows that her brother will be raised in the resurrection of the last day. And she was not happy to have to wait until then. She wanted him raised now.

Jesus on the other hand interprets his death by his resurrection. And from this point on he does not speak of his death without referring to the resurrection.

And then there come six days of silence. Jesus takes Peter, James and John with him to a high mountain. They are alone with Jesus there on the mountain. And Jesus was transfigured before them. And then they are joined by Moses and Elijah. One wonders if they knew who they were or if they were introduced to them.

The word transfigured is a translation of the word metamorphoomai. This is a simple Greek verb that refers to the act of giving outward expression of one’s inner character, that outward expression coming from and being truly representative of that inner character. The preposition (meta) speaks of a change of the outward expression.

The literal translation of the verse is this:  “The manner of his outward expression was changed before them, that outward expression coming from and being truly representative of his inner nature.”

His normal representation to his disciples was that of the man Jesus Christ, the humble man of sorrows. To the world he was a travel stained, itinerate preacher who claimed to be the Messiah. They saw a peasant from Galilee, clad in homespun, the son of a carpenter from Nazareth.

But now that outward expression has changed. Out from within the innermost being of the Son of God there shone the dazzling glory of God which he possesses co-eternally with God the Father and with the Holy Spirit. It is the dazzling radiance of his pre-incarnate state that the angels have seen. Mark tells us that his clothes became shining, whiter than snow, whiter than Clorox could make them. And his face did shine. The word for shine here is one used of a flashing sword or of sunlight reflecting off a shield.

It is a picture of what he was like before he came to live among us. It is a picture of what He will be like when he reigns in the Millennium Kingdom.

And the disciples, represented by Peter, think it would be good to remain there on the mountain. Peter suggests that they pitch three tents: one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elihah. Let’s stay in the light of this glory up here. It is beautiful up here, Peter says.

Suddenly a cloud envelopes them…it is the Shekinah Glory…the cloud of the presence of God that led the Israelites by day as they left Egypt. The very presence of God is there, and he speaks to them:  This is my beloved Son. Hear him!.  Be constantly hearing him…and not just hearing but obeying him.

The transfiguration …the metamorphosis prefigures our transformation. The scriptures tell us that one day we shall be like him for we shall be with him. We, too, shall be changed. We too will put off this physical body and take on a spiritual body.

Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:35ff addresses the question of what kind of body we will have once we are resurrected ourselves.

He illustrates it with a very simple example of seeds planted.  A seed planted is not the body of the plant that will grow up from the soil. Each seed has its own kind of body. Each one is different. But the plant that comes up is different from the seed that is planted.-

The body we will have will be imperishable. While our human body is perishable, the resurrected body will be imperishable. Our human body is a natural body, but our resurrected body will be a spiritual body. “And just as we have born the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.” (15:49)

What shall we be like?  We will have the same radiance of glory that he had before he came to earth to live among us and that he has now in heaven seated at the right hand of the Father.

Think about how we live right now

Who do we say Jesus is?  We all claim to know Jesus and that we are trying to live for Him.

Who do we say Jesus is by how we live?

Think about the way you live your life right now. What evidence could someone take from how we live and form an opinion about Jesus. Do we live such a life of faith and power that the testimony about Jesus really tells the world around us who He truly is?

Are we prepared to bear the cross in our own lives?  So that others may know Jesus and have the live he offers to them too.

How long will we have to do that?  Until he takes us home or comes for us. But whichever it is, we will one day be like him for we shall be with him.  He is risen.  He is risen indeed.

1) Living in Resurrection Power Begins with Obedience – v16 – The eleven went to the Mount of Olives as Jesus had instructed them to do. Notice that Jesus is not with them and yet they still obey – Have you noticed something about children – you tell them to do something but you have to keep reminding them and you have to stay after them till its completed. One sign of maturity is when you give your child a job and you know that they will complete it – no questions. Living in resurrection power comes not from knowing what God’s wants for you in life – It’s in doing what He wants for your life. How often do we find ourselves not listening to God’s commands? We know what we should do, we know what we are supposed to do, we know what God has commanded us to do but we simply don’t do it. James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. We will never know what it is to live in resurrection power until we decide to live in obedience to the call of Christ.
2) Living in Resurrection Power – Centers in Worship – v17 – These men had followed Jesus for three years, they had eaten with Him, slept with Him, and ultimately denied Him. Now they fall on their knees and worship Him. Don’t take this lightly – this is an acknowledgment on their part that Jesus is God. Worship is for no one else but God. God wants us to make that final decision in our lives, is He God or isn’t he.   Who do we say He is? If He is not then lets be done with all of this pretense. If He was only a prophet or a good man then be done with it. If He is God then lets stop playing religious games and Worship Him for He is worthy of our Worship. Our power for living centers in our worship of God as God – not slaving away for the false gods of our day – gods of materialism, popularity, or power. Real power – resurrection power – power for life and living centers in worship.

3) Resurrection Power finds it foundation in Submission – v18 – Jesus says that All authority is given to Him. Folks if He has the authority – we only have a choice – submit or rebel. Those are the only choices. One of those choices leads to power for living – the other leads to disappointment and death. Which one will you choose? Mark’s Gospel tells the story of a rich young man who came to Jesus. What shall I do to inherit eternal life he asked. I have kept the commandments of Moses what shall I do? Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give to the poor. His face fell – despondent – that is the one thing he could not do. He wanted redemption, he wanted the good stuff, but was unwilling to submit to the Lordship of Christ. What are you still holding on to. What part of your life do you still control – I want to tell you this morning until it’s all His in reality none of it is His.

4) Resurrection Power Finds Purpose in Disciple Making – v19 – understand this morning that this is where the rubber meets the road. Those who stand staring at the cross never make it here – those who stand gazing at an empty tomb never reach this point – but those who follow Christ understand that this is why He came – This is His directive to us – make disciples. The world is full of those who would condemn Christians for trying to convert Muslims, Jews, and Athiests to Christ – Let me tell you something this morning – if you’re a Christian and your not doing these things – you have missed the message. This is what resurrection power is for. Jesus didn’t come so that you could be happy, successful, or rich. He came so that you could live with Him for eternity and not only you but all mankind. What is the purpose of this power – listen to the words of Jesus. “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” You have been empowered for a purpose - Disciple making – no longer just letting others disciple you – feeding off the generosity of others, you are called to take responsibility to be a part of God’s plan and purpose. There is a world full of lost people who need to know what you know – that salvation is a freely given gift – ready for them.

5) Resurrection Power finds it’s Source in Fellowship with Christ – v20 – Jesus reminded His disciples that through all the tough times – all the trials – all the temptation – all the labor – that He was with them. Resurrection power does not find it’s source in religious observance. Christianity finds its greatest pinnacle in fellowship with the living God. I am with you always – how long has it been since you were with Jesus. I am not talking about working for Him or even sitting in Church. How long has it been since you sensed His presence, trusted His guidance, prayed more than a blessing on your food. How long has it been since you really spent time alone with God. Jesus said – Abide in me and I will abide in you. He compared it to a grape vine with us being the branches – we must stay connected to the source for life to flow. If you lack power in your life today for living – take the advice of James “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

--Dennis Gleason