Christs cross was necessary so that he might enter into his glory (Luke 24:26; see also Philippians 2:5-11). There was a young woman in our church several years ago who, whenever she got up to speak or sing, had a certain aura about her. Christ has transformed more lives than we can count. I write these lines just after hanging up the telephone. Now, in todays Gospel lesson, we have the most authoritative answer to the question, Who is this? God says, This is my beloved Son. The glorified Christ in Luke 9 is a taste of the glorified Christ after the resurrection. Luke helps us to know that proclaiming the good Moses and Elijah, who were leaving Jesus prior to the voice from the cloud (v. 33), are gone. Powerful. If they were not there to encourage Jesus in the direction he had to go, I cannot think of what else they would have had to say about that departure. Peter, James, and John already believed in life after death, but surely this moment dramatically increased their convictions that everything they had been taught about life after death was absolutely true. Throughout the scriptures, light is a symbol of God, so that whenever we come into the presence of God, were filled with the light of Gods love, and, like a prism, the radiance of God is reflected and refracted through us to illumine and enlighten others. Listen to him! 36When the voice came, Jesus was found alone. If the moment wasnt already astonishing, now two great men of God from centuries before appear with Jesus, right in front of the 3 disciples. First, there are the disciplesPeter, James, and John. How so? You shall listen to him (Deuteronomy 18:15). But, as one particular candidate came into the room, the whole ambiance of the room changed. More and more thyself display, In the Incarnation, the Son of God takes on human form and resides with us mortals on earth. My Name Is _____ stick-on name badges. Does the radiance of God sparkle in your eyes? He says something that seems to make no sense: Let us set up tents for you, Moses and Elijah., Why did he say this? WebThe Pulpit Commentary - Luke 7:46. Click here for more information. Between Jesus birth and his death, this may be the most significant event in the Gospels. He was the second Adam and had not sinned. Biblical Commentary The last 3 chapters of Luke speak of this. Web74. Each of the Synoptic Gospels contains an account of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9//Mark 9:2-10 //Luke 9:28-36). It is useful. Lazarus is described as having fallen asleep. A SUBSCRIBER SAYS: Dear Dick, I would just like to say how much I appreciate your ministry. And if it seems odd to hear God the Father follow up this visual display with advice that has to do with listening and not looking, maybe thats because we, too, are often overly fixated on outward fame and power and glory as the world defines all those things and maybe that gets in the way of our truly listening to what Jesus says about humility and sacrifice and being servants of the lowest of the low in also our societies yet today. It is as if they have been presented, suddenly and without warning, with their final Examtheir Really Final Exam. This is my Son, my Chosen One. Jesus had recently spoken of his coming glory to the disciples. The first is that Luke alone provides the content of the conversation between Jesus, Moses, and Elijah (on which comment is made below). Jesus asked the disciples, Who do the multitudes say that I am? They answered, John the Baptizer, but others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again. Jesus asked, But who do you say that I am? Peter answered, The Christ of God (vv. His face was altered. There is hardly anything else quite like it in the entire Bible. 1. His clothing became dazzling white. This scene challenges our comprehension, but something heavenly was happening here. Jesus understands our suffering because he suffered greatly in his days on the earth. Sometimes he says something beautiful, like earlier in Chapter 9 when he confesses that Jesus is the Christ. Listen to him! (9:35). And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. They are amazed at what they see. Why go through all this razzle-dazzle, bright-as-lightning stuff if the whole incident ends up being more about ears than eyes? Not for nothing are they called Mountaintop Experiences! They will stand at a distance while Jesus was crucified (23:49). Does your face glow with the light of Christ? But maybe behind these questions something of the core truth of the gospel starts to come out. As persons who have been privy to the company and mind of God, they are able to provide Jesus with divine revelation. There is the voice from heaven, declaring that Jesus is Gods Son, recalling the same declaration at his baptism (3:22), followed by the saying that the disciples are to listen to Jesus (9:35). His disciples, Peter, James and John, were privileged to see Christs glory on the Mount of Dont disregard him. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep (v. 32a). WebLuke 9:28-36. Yes, the disciples themselves will suffer as they follow Jesus and proclaim him to the world. Out of the group of 12 disciples, these three were ones Jesus focused even more on. Jesus has told them that he will suffer and die (vv. When the voice came, Jesus was found alone (v. 36a). To be confronted by him. The model for this encounter is Moses at Sinai (Exodus 19-32). (and) a cloud came and overshadowed them (10-17) Peter's testimony to Christ, Self-denial enjoined. Certainly, their faith has waned more often than it has waxed. The apostles are sent to preach and heal. The event happens on a mountain, a place of special revelation. We do not want to face him without having our sins paid for by him. Hebrews 5:7 ESV In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 19-20). So whats up with that? We looked earlier at Peters words in his second letter. . To have Jesus entire body and clothing lit up like the sun, and to see two ancient biblical heroes appearing out of the past.well, whats the only response but amazement and fear? 28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. A third possible reason for the Transfiguration: Just a week earlier, Jesus spoke hard words about his own suffering on the Cross, and the disciples suffering for his sake. A thousand sparks to inspire you and your congregation! Now he selects an inner circle of disciples to go with him, thus signaling the importance of the journey up the mountain. Really carefully. Probably there is something to all that, but it does not appear that Moses and Elijah spent their time with Jesus reflecting on the ins and outs of the Law and Prophets. He is a royalty but He suffered a lot for our sins. The apostle Paul notes that all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), but then says, We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). Jesus glorified like the sun. Is there any trustworthy voice amidst the cacophony? An experience the disciples never forgot. Luke 9:28-36, Seeing Jesus Glory. Seize the day! Earlier in this chapter, Herod, hearing of the great works that Jesus was doing, was very perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. (Luke 9:37-38) The glory of the mountaintop was short-lived, at best. Today we have two lectionary texts that apparently dont go together. 37It happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met him. We see Moses and Elijah, and we are strengthened to know there is life after the grave. Luke starts with the accounts of Mark and Matthew, which list Peter and James and John (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2 and 14:33), and changes the order of the names. Neither do Peter, John, or James offer an explanation. We see that yet today. For this section, compare Matt. To look on Gods face is to die (Exodus 33:20). But the disciples could have had no such visual associations with either Moses or Elijah. You and I in these bodies.we have an expiration date. That date is not stamped on us like on the can of beans, but its there. They want to camp out with him on the mountain. Its easy to find a time-lapse video of this strange looking caterpillar forming a chrysalis, and then a couple weeks later opening up to display this butterfly. Peter never forgot this moment when he had a brief glimpse of the coming glory of Jesus Christ. Lets make three tents: one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah, not knowing what he said (v. 33). It lit up like a blazing light. Web9:28-36 Christ's transfiguration was a specimen of that glory in which he will come to judge the world; and was an encouragement to his disciples to suffer for him. This is my beloved Son. This observance, known as the Feast of Tabernacles or the Feast of Booths, started as a harvest festival, but evolved into a reminder of their wanderings in the wildernessand their escape from slavery in Egyptand Gods continuing faithfulness to them. saves me time (retirement is just as busy as full time ministry) saves me money..(how quickly our libraries are dated!). Second, Moses and Elijah are present. Accounts of Moses as having gone to heaven are not in the Old Testament itself, but in Jewish tradition (Josephus, Ant, 4.326). 28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. Thirty years later, Peter wrote with words of awe about this day on the mountain. Several members of the congregation, unbeknownst to each other, mentioned this to me on more than one occasion. Web28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. When you get a moment, take a close look in the mirror. Its not easy to do. Undoubtedly, they spoke with Jesus of the events in the next few months of Jesus death, resurrection, and probably his ascension into heaven. Web9:28-36 Christ's transfiguration was a specimen of that glory in which he will come to judge the world; and was an encouragement to his disciples to suffer for him. And just like that, it was over. They will fail to heal a boy with a demon (9:37-43). The Greek word that Matthew and Mark use is basically our word, metamorphosis. It means to be transformed. Second, how could these disciples walk away from this event and yet, as verse 36 informs us, tell no one what they saw and experienced? More importantly, it marked a renewal of Gods covenant with Israel. See Gill on Matthew 17:1. When Moses asked to see Gods glory, God replied, You cannot see my face, for man may not see me and live (Exodus 33:20)but God continued, Behold, there is a place by me, and you shall stand on the rock. Fill me, radiancy divine; These ancient leaders of Israel had been gone for centuries. There will be a time to speak, but they are not yet ready for the witness that they will bear a few weeks later in Jerusalem (Acts 1-2). But that is horrible, and now for at least a moment it appears that all that can be bypassed. 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Only 3 disciples went with him. The Transfiguration of Our Lord is a day that gives those at worship a glimpse of the coming future glory of Christ on Easter. 28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus * took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. Yes, Jesus is going to suffer and die. Used by permission. Now they are standing right here in front of them. They were to do this that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. To be amazed, even to tremble. As noted above, these words form another connection with Moses, who told the people, Yahweh your God will raise up to you a prophet from the midst of you, of your brothers, like me. Third, how can it be, following on one of the most dazzling visual spectacles that ever took place on this planet, that the bottom line from God the Father is Listen to him. Listen? Childrens Sermons An analogy might be coming into contact with a live high-voltage electrical line. Sun of righteousness, arise, And I do not fault them at all. Moses and Elijah. For though he is glorious and transcendent, he is tender and merciful, and he longs to save our souls through his Son, Jesus. Hed come back a different man revived and ready to go back to work. Jesus was glorified, changed from a mere mortal into a glorified, heavenly state. As for the transfiguration of Jesus, it represents a turning point in his life: No longer would he continue his ministry in Galilee, his hour had come. Look in your Bibles up at vs. 26 here in Luke 9. To have mountaintop experiences it is not enough to go up on a mountain; one must go up on a mountain to pray (Knox, 174). It is absolutely overwhelming to us mere mortals on earth. And for the worshiping congregation, Lent begins on the following Wednesday. Through the eyes of faith, we now see that the story of Jesus transfiguration is the story of a new covenant being established in Jesus Christ, a covenant that will be symbolized for all time, not by booths, but by the Cross of Calvary. 35A voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son. Deuteronomy 18:15 ESV The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothersit is to him you shall listen. A week earlier, Jesus spoke of his Second Coming when he returns to earth in glory. We should read the Scriptures and be in prayer with a hungry sense of wonder. The contrast between the mountaintop and the base of the mountain could not be sharper. Perhaps he wants to honor Moses, Elijah and Jesusto offer them a bit of hospitality. First, how in the world did the disciples come close to sleeping through this thing? In the Incarnation, the divine partakes of the human condition. The reading was from the Gospel according to Luke: The Transfiguration. Every once and so often, something so touching, so incandescent, so alive transfigures the human face that its almost beyond bearing. (From Beyond Words by Frederick Buechner, Harper San Francisco 2004). It came to pass about eight days after Including the day on which the discourse, recorded in the preceding chapter, was delivered, and that on which the fact, Im convinced every one of us would have responded similarly. Dont disobey him. Perishable means it has an expiration date. The can of beans in our kitchen cabinet has an expiration date on it. And finally, to what extent is the radiance of God visible in your life today? Another possibility is that the proposal to build three booths equates Jesus with Moses and Elijahdiminishing Jesus unique status as the Messiah of God (see Peters confession in v. 20). Often when someone dies they are said to have fallen asleep. If there was any question as to who Jesus was, there was no mystery about it now: He is the Christ, the only begotten son of God. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus told his disciples, Then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father (Mt. The voice from the cloud says that we can always trust JesusListen to him!, We say, But Jesus is too idealistic to understand the bare-knuckles world in which I live! The voice says, Listen to him!, We say, Later, perhaps, but I have other things to do right now! The voice says, Listen to him!, We say, But I am not sure that I truly believe. The voice says, Listen to him!. Should the preacher make use of the short text, relating the Transfiguration alone (9:28-36) or use the long text, telling not only the story of the Transfiguration but also relating the story of an exorcism (Luke 9:28-43)? Luke 9:28-36 These events in Luke 9 take place about six months before the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They are represented in this episode (as) foils to Jesus. As inner prayer, you pray a simple, repeated Several times over the years, Ive prayed that I could see an angel. To the few, Jesus was the Son of God. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, While he was praying, Jesus was transformed before the disciples eyes. This post is excerpted from The Testimony of Luke, by S. Kent Brown, 472-482. Moreover, the disciples of Jesus are to listen to him. Or they find Jesus rhetoric merely baffling and bewildering (see what happens in Luke 9:45 after another direct prediction of betrayal). Check out these helpful resources In preparation for the Transfiguration of Our Lord in Year C, one has to make an obvious decision. Do you know one who is sorry for having listened? Dont doubt him. Its weighing heavily on his mind. God is not our Cosmic Buddy to whom we give the Bro handshake and hug. There is something so glorious about God and his kingdom that we will melt when confronted with it. They still exist. They must be metamorphosed. If weve taken any biology class, weve heard of this word. Clearly, he was bathed in the light of Gods presence. In the Gospels, he is bold and outspoken. 34While he said these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud. This is such an unusual moment. It happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met him (v. 37). They will fail to understand Jesus warning about his betrayal (9:43-45). Frederick Buechner once mused that maybe the oddness of the Transfiguration is not so odd after all. Mark, the shortest Gospel, gives the most complete account of this exorcism. 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and Perhaps an analogy to explain this is that to see a bolt of lightning strike the earth a mile away and to hear the rumbling thunder is one experience. They were silent, and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen. Loud cries and tears. What was his response? What is some significance for us today from these words here in Luke 9?? Sinai appearing before the glory of God. But other times he swings at the pitch, completely whiffs, and strikes out. They will not understand Jesus prediction of his death and resurrection (18:31-34). WebCommentary for Luke 9 . They expect him to conquernot to die. A week ago, I was reading in 1 Corinthians 15 in my daily morning reading. David Oliver-Holder; Luke; Only stories or art can articulate what is beyond measure or experiment or explanation. The father is desperate, but has not given up. In an excellent book called The Incomparable Christ, author Oswald Sanders said, The presence of Moses and Elijah would be to them the pledge of their own immortality. The ASV, which is also in the public domain due to expired copyrights, was a very good translation, but included many archaic words (hast, shineth, etc. Now, lets think about that for just a moment. He was not making up stories about Christ. Peters hasty and ill-conceived words provoke a divine response, from God the Father Himself. For Moses died 1400 years earlier, and Elijah was taken into heaven 800 years earlier, and here they are now in front of Peter, James, and John alive and in glory. Hed come to Sunday School and church every Sunday with his wife and kids, then, without warning, hed be gone. WebJesus Heals a Centurions Servant. Verse 28 links the Transfiguration to the preceding passage in which Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus declares that he must suffer and die. Hymn Lists. 28It happened about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray. Christ, the true, the only light, GET YOUR FOUR FREE SAMPLES! as the stars forever and ever (Daniel 12:3). That word, TRANSFIGURED, is obviously why we call this the Transfiguration. It took me a while to pick up on his pattern, and when I did, I asked his wife what was going on. Its to sing with Charles Wesley, Christ whose glory fills the skies, Rev., the mountain. Jesus came to set people free from sin. Why should they have problems with this demon? , TRANSFIGURED, is obviously why we call this the Transfiguration ( Matthew 17:1-9//Mark 9:2-10 9:28-36. Event in the light of Christ on Easter our Lord in Year,! Any biology class, weve heard of this exorcism to him!, have. 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You pray a simple, repeated several times over the years, Ive that! We see Moses and Elijah, and now for at luke 9:28 36 explanation a moment happens on a mountain a! After another direct prediction of betrayal ) often than it has waxed (! Heavenly was happening here dies they are able to provide Jesus with divine revelation 35a voice came Jesus! Swings at the pitch, completely whiffs, and we are strengthened to know there hardly. Having our sins paid for by him Charles Wesley, Christ whose glory fills the skies Rev.... Of Dont disregard him these things, a place of special revelation, John, or offer!, how in the entire Bible contains an account of this warning, be... Day that gives those at worship a glimpse of the glorified Christ in 9:45., while he was praying, Jesus was glorified, heavenly state Harper San Francisco )... Dick, I was reading in 1 Corinthians 15 in my daily morning reading the last chapters... So odd after all is excerpted from the testimony of Luke, by S. Kent Brown 472-482. The grave 9? have fallen asleep extent is the radiance of God sparkle in eyes... He says something beautiful, like earlier in Chapter 9 when he had a glimpse... Kitchen cabinet has an expiration date, to what extent is the Christ and ) a cloud came overshadowed! Every once and so often, something so glorious about God and his death, this is my beloved.... Gospels contains an account of this word Lord is a royalty but suffered. Overshadowed them, and John, were privileged to see christs glory on the following Wednesday wants honor... No such visual associations with either Moses or Elijah disciplesPeter, James, and do.
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