We hope you have enjoyed this series on the Transfiguration of Jesus and that it helps you see deeper into this fantastic event.
 
Today's lesson is the seventh and final in our series on understanding the background to the Transfiguration of Jesus.
 
In this video, we summarize what we discovered during the first six lessons and see if we can't come up with two overarching categories that will help us understand the overall message being communicated.
 
Finally, we will look at a biblical allusion that connects the account at Caesarea Philippi - just prior to the Transfiguration - with Psalm 42 and Psalm 43.

Class Handout:

Listen on Apple Podcasts:

In today's lesson, we arrive at what I believe to be the foundation of understanding the overall message of the Transfiguration.

This foundation is Psalm 42 & 43 and then a subsequent interpretation - called Midrash - of Psalm 43.

The number of details shared between the Rabbinic interpretation of Psalm 43 and what we find in the Gospels, and the Transfiguration is simply remarkable.
​
Finally, in this lesson, we will see how a translation issue can help us understands Peter's behavior and his question about putting up tents.

Class Handout:

Listen on Apple Podcasts:

In today’s lesson, we explore the literary progression found in the Gospel of Mark that concerns “seeing” and “hearing” as the disciples ascend on their journey toward the Transfiguration.

The rabbis taught that the kingdom of God comes through “seeing” and “hearing.” Through the prophet Isaiah, God chastises Israel for having “eyes” but not being able to see and having “ears” but the inability to hear. 

This is the same question Jesus is going to ask the disciples after the Feeding of the 4000 (Mark 8:18).  

The progression in Mark shows us the opening of ears and eyes that prepares the disciples for the Transfiguration event.
​
At the Transfiguration event, the disciple’s eyes and ears are opened, allowing them to see into the mystical and observe Jesus' true nature.  

Class Handout:

Listen on Apple Podcasts:

In today's video, we explore the Transfiguration through the lens of Mystical Judaism. 

A concept prevalent in first-century Judaism concerned the existence of a "Heavenly Man" - or, as in Mystical Judaism, the Adam Kadmon - the Original Adam.

Humanity is made in the image of God, yet God has no image. The "Heavenly Man" solves this paradox." 

Join us as we connect  Paul's use of the term "Heavenly Man" in 1 Corinthians and other second temple period writings to a deeper understanding of Jesus and the Transfiguration.

Class Handout: 

Listen on Apple Podcasts:

​In today's lesson, we continue our series on the Transfiguration by exploring the connection between the First Adam and Jesus, as the Last Adam. 

This connection takes us back to Eden and the loss of glory that Adam and Eve experienced after their sin. 

According to Rabbinic writings, when the Messiah comes, he will restore the glory that Adam lost. 

Moreover, Paul will use this line of Rabbinic theology to encourage us to increase our own reflected glory now that the Messiah - Jesus - has come. 

Today's lesson not only helps us understand the Transfiguration event but also provides a goal for our personal spiritual growth. As we mature as Christians, we increasingly reflect God's glory into the darkness of the world.

Class Handout: 

Listen on Apple Podcasts:

​This video is the second in our series on the Transfiguration of Jesus. 

In today's lesson, we explore how the details of the Transfiguration event bring to mind the stories of Moses on Mount Sinai in the book of Exodus. 

Jesus, through his actions, and the Gospel writers, through the details they choose to present, pull in the story of Moses on Mount Sinai and the understood meaning to communicate to their first-century audience that Jesus is the Messiah - the last redeemer of Israel. 

We invite you to join us through this series that will help you build a foundation of understanding that will take you deeper into the biblical text and the reality of Jesus as the Messiah.

Class Handout: 

Listen on Apple Podcasts:

The Transfiguration of Jesus is one of the most enigmatic stories in the Bible.

Understanding the overall message of this event requires us to understand the cultural context within which it took place.

In this short series, we will explore the cultural context of first-century Israel and how the Transfiguration would have been viewed by its first-century audience.

Today's video lays out a spiritual mind-map of the numerous areas that will inform our understanding of the meaning of the Transfiguration. 

We invite you to join us through this series that will help you build a foundation of understanding that will take you deeper into the biblical text and the reality of Jesus as the Messiah. 

Class Handout: 

Listen on Apple Podcasts: