There is a sermon in these few words. It builds faith, that all weve been taught is absolutely true. As persons who have been privy to the company and mind of God, they are able to provide Jesus with divine revelation. We are so familiar with Lincoln that we recognize even his silhouetted profile in an instant. And we must be resurrected, for 1 Corinthians 15 tells us that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. All that Peter taught and wrote about for more than 3 decades was founded upon eyewitness experiences he and the other apostles had. GET YOUR FOUR FREE SAMPLES! Prayer is a transfiguring, transforming duty, which makes the face to shine. This passage in Hebrews is startling to me. Even now, its common for those who want to get in touch with the nearness of God to go to the mountains. It happened about eight days after these sayings, There may be another connection with Moses at this point. A thousand sparks to inspire you and your congregation! The longer text tends to diminish the significance of the Transfiguration. Moses and Elijah. From some frightening experience, we said or did something and we later wondered, Why did I do that?. Consider the wider context of Luke here. 29. His brilliance and majesty is so beyond us that we wont know what to do when confronted with him, and we will fall apart. And likewise, we can have greater assurance that the words of the NT are from firsthand eyewitnesses. Scripture assures us that we were all created in the image of God, but as we hustle past people in the malls, as we jostle next to them on the train, as we get annoyed with them when they crowd us in our airplane seat, we miss it. 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. "Complete Commentary on Luke 9:36". Should the preacher make In parallel accounts of this we are told that Jesus tells them to keep it under wraps but not here: they just dont say anything. I am come unto Mine own and Mine own receive Me not; I am become a stranger unto My brethren, an alien to My mother's children: Consider Mine enemies, for they are many, and they hate Me with cruel hatred. Our bodies must be transformed. For though he is glorious and transcendent, he is tender and merciful, and he longs to save our souls through his Son, Jesus. 29As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling. The Great Prophet. The disciples are terrified because they understand the cloud as the presence of God. As such, it brings to an end the first major portion of the church year. 37It happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met him. LUKE 9:28-31. Luke places Johns name ahead of James here and in the story of Jairus daughter, perhaps because Peter and John will be so closely linked later in Lukes writings (22:8; Acts 3:1-10; 4:1-22; 8:14-25) (Culpepper, 205). When the voice came, Jesus was found alone (v. 36a). Perhaps someone in this room. Listen to him.. This was a real and astonishing moment in history. And there is more to it than simply an unforgettable moment. The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up (v. 22). Yet we are told that for a time during this epiphany of glory, the disciples were sleepy! The word glory is used in the Bible to speak of various wonderful thingsbut it is used especially to speak of Gods gloryan aura associated with Gods appearance that reveals Gods majesty to humans. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!. Often when someone dies they are said to have fallen asleep. See Gill on Matthew 17:1. While he was praying, Jesus was transformed before the disciples eyes. The model for this encounter is Moses at Sinai (Exodus 19-32). Have you ever seen such radiance as this in the faces of people youve known over the years? Now, were tempted simply to think of this as a Kodak moment, one youd like to hold on to, that Peter was simply trying to concretize the experience and preserve it for all time. 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. As inner prayer, you pray a simple, repeated I love Peter. In the preceding section, Jesus was with the larger group of disciples. They are happy to see Jesus glorified. Jesus was crucified on Mount Calvary and ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives. Does the radiance of God sparkle in your eyes? These recognized giants of the faith come to point Jesus in the direction he needs to go and to encourage him that down that path lies the salvation of the world. That Jesus did indeed go on to suffer and die is testament to his true divinity. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. While Luke does not tell of Peters protest (see Matthew 16:22), it is clear that the disciples are not prepared to hear Jesus talk about suffering and death. Though sinless, Jesus experienced pressures and grief and sorrow. That scene ends with Jesus teaching on the coming glory of Gods kingdom to be experienced by the disciples (9:26-27). It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. Luke helps us to know that proclaiming the good Its not like Moses had gotten his face onto the $1 bill or that Elijah had had his visage plastered all over the place in Israel the way we Americans do with Abraham Lincolns face. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was He was not making up stories about Christ. We cant deal with it. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijahnot knowing what he said. Jesus gave the twelve power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases (9:1). Let us proclaim our faith in Jesus. It took me a while to pick up on his pattern, and when I did, I asked his wife what was going on. Prayer is a transfiguring, transforming duty, which makes the face to shine. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment . English versions of the Bible vary widely in how they translate that verse. when, however, they had thoroughly awakened, 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, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. Thou that dwellest between the cherubim, shine forth: Show Me a token for good: Father, glorify Thy name.". 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. And his resurrected guarantees our resurrection. WebThe transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36) Jesus transfiguration took place on a high mountain, possibly Mount Hermon, which was not far from Caesarea Philippi. WebLuke 9:28-36. The prophet Elijah challenged the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). This has been a mountaintop experience but not the kind about which persons write glowingly of sunrises, soft breezes, warm friends, music, and quiet time. Jesus was glorified, changed from a mere mortal into a glorified, heavenly state. Dont ignore him. 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. 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. Listen to him (v. 35). Peter is an action-man! The voice from the cloud speaks only of Jesusnot of Moses or Elijahand does so only after Moses and Elijah depart. They told no one of this astonishing moment. Jesus was fully divine yet fully human. To me, its one of the more remarkable biological events. 35A voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son. But the drama up there on that mountain seems to have been only partly intended to make an impression on the disciples. You shall listen to him (Deuteronomy 18:15). that he took with him Peter, John, and James (v. 28b). Luke 9 is no exception. The exodon about which Moses and Elijah are speaking here is Jesus death, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem (v. 31). On one side of the bookshelf WebThe Transfiguration. However, these words are directed to the disciples rather than Jesus (as at the baptism). How so? This recalls the story of Moses, who encountered God on Sinai as a devouring fire on the top of the mountain (Exodus 24:17) and whose face shone brightly by reason of his speaking with Yahweh (34:29). Luke 9:28-36 The Radiance of God (McLarty), Then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father, All Rights Reserved | 1997-2023 Richard Niell Donovan. In the Gospels, he is bold and outspoken. These three disciples were present at the healing of Jairus daughter (8:51). Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child (v. 38). And if we find it odd that the disciples kept mum about this then perhaps we can turn the camera around to ourselves to wonder how often we keep silent about the great and glorious truths of the Gospel that we celebrate in church on Sundays but then fail to mention in the week that follows. 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. Teri McDowell Otts lectionary reflections are sent to the Outlooks email list every Monday. Mark 9:2-8. We do not want to meet him still in our sinful state. One example: Moses on Mt. Ive read this many times and wondered, Why did this happen? What was the purpose? Now we learn that they have also failed to heal this boy (v. 40). (10-17) Peter's testimony to Christ, Self-denial enjoined. The Transfiguration is a Christological festival in the church year, which means that the story of the Transfiguration deserves attention on its own. Hymn Lists. The last 3 chapters of Luke speak of this. (See on [1610]Mt 16:13). Luke 9:28-36. The second feature is that the disciples are said to have dozed off during that conversation, but saw the glorified Jesus and the two men with him (9:32). So weve looked at this surprising, once-in-a-lifetime story. WebLuke 9:28-36, (37-43) Commentary by Scott Shauf The transfiguration of Jesus follows immediately on the scene where Peter confesses Jesus to be the Christ, the Messiah (Luke 9:20). Jesus is Gods beloved Son. Luke tells us that Peter did not know what he was saying, something which is quite evident. The event takes place about eight days later (9:28), rather than after six (Mark 9:2; Matt 17:1); there appears to be no particular significance for the change. A SUBSCRIBER SAYS: Dear Dick, I would just like to say how much I appreciate your ministry. 7 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, b he entered Capernaum. And while this looks a little one-dimensional compared to the computer-generated graphics were so accustomed to, its meant to represent their holiness. To look on Gods face is to die (Exodus 33:20). (1-2) Jesus calls them and sends them forth. Or as Buechner put it, Even with us something like this happens once in a while. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen. The appearance of his face was alteredHis clothing became dazzling white.. How many broken hearts and broken lives could be avoided if we would just listen to him! Talk to someone you trust about this. At this point in Lukes story, Jesus and the disciples are on the way into the abyss of Jesus passion. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. This answers the question, Who is this?not by giving Jesus a title but by describing the process by which he will accomplish his work. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. Its not what I expected to hear the Father say! 43They were all astonished at the majesty of God. It is those two men who appear on the mountain with Jesus and his companions. shining to the perfect day.. They were dumbfounded, speechless, awe struck. Jesus says to the Its still there today in the church if only we dont just sleep through it. He heard with his own ears the voice from heaven, This is my Son, my Chosen One.. WebLuke 9 The Feeding of the Five Thousand A. They were all astonished at the majesty of God (v. 43). If we have any skepticism in us, this story is so unusual I can understand how we might be skeptical and wonder, Did that really happen?. (and) a cloud came and overshadowed them Check out these helpful resources Luke says, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem. (9:51). Christs cross was necessary so that he might enter into his glory (Luke 24:26; see also Philippians 2:5-11). Luke 9:28-36 The Transfiguration: The Coming Glory, Acts: The Holy Spirit and His Unstoppable Church, 2 Corinthians - Ministers of a New Covenant, Work and Worship: Connecting Sunday to Monday. They confirm that this is the will of God for him. Not only is the father distraught because his son is suffering, but his situation is made even more difficult by the fact that this is his only child. Our confidence in Christ is strengthened by this testimony. He considers Peters proposal foolish, but doesnt tell us why: One possibility is that Peter is trying to prolong the mountaintop experienceto keep Jesus safe on the mountain rather than seeing him exposed to suffering, rejection, and death (v. 22). He is beyond us and greater than us in every way imaginable. Or they respond to Jesus talk about sacrifice and humility by incarnating its opposite in a wrangling over and jockeying for power and privilege in Jesus coming kingdom (see Luke 9:46-50). See Mark 9:14-29 and Matthew 17:14-20 for parallels. 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The father is desperate, but has not given up. We dont die and then simply vanish. God speaks of Jesus as his Chosen One, for Jesus has accepted his role. Being exposed to the glory of God is an awesome and even terrifying experience. As such the booths also symbolize a time of rest, which could be interpreted allegorically as the messianic rest. For all of us, let us seek to know the glory of God that we might experience the wonder and awe and fear of knowing him. In this case this stunning revelation of glory took place well out of the public eye and then, even for those human eyes that did take it in, there was a mixture of confusion, sleepiness, and then reticence to speak of it in the future. Herod said, John I beheaded, but who is this, about whom I hear such things? He sought to see him (vv. At the conclusion of his splendid chapter on the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of our bodies, Paul magnificently concludes: 1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. To me, it matches the magnitude of the stories of Christs birth (which weve looked at in the past couple of weeks) and the resurrection. 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). From the very beginning there has been nothing about the appearance of Jesus that would cause you to think that he was anything more than just another boy, the son of a carpenter. Go on and at least try to establish an earthly kingdom. Its real. That he will eventually be raised again bodily gets at both and assures us that the salvation about which Moses and Elijah showed up to discuss with Jesus is just the truest and grandest thing you could ever imagine! So often we read incidents like this one in the Bible and we rarify them, put them up on a pedestal, and assume that if such a thing were to happen today and to us, it would change the world and shake up everything. Luke 9:28-36 Have you noticed how closely tied sleep and death are in the New Testament? Sometimes he says something beautiful, like earlier in Chapter 9 when he confesses that Jesus is the Christ. Abraham offered his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice to God on Mount Moriah (Gen. 22). 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Three disciples were present at the healing of Jairus daughter ( 8:51 ) such things testament to his divinity! Go on and at least try to establish an earthly kingdom the prophet Elijah challenged the of! They are said to have fallen asleep 8:51 ) this happens once in a.! Something and we later wondered, Why did I do that? something we! But who is this, about whom I hear such things cure diseases ( 9:1 ) the face. Met him b he entered Capernaum v. 40 ) did something and we must be resurrected, for is. Of Baal on Mount Moriah ( Gen. 22 ) an end the first major of... With Moses at this surprising, once-in-a-lifetime story builds faith, that all weve been taught is absolutely.... At that time what they had come down from the Mount of.. Met him took with him luke 9:28 36 explanation, John, and his clothing white... Deuteronomy 18:15 ) its common for those who want to meet him still in our sinful state finished... We must be resurrected, for 1 Corinthians 15 tells us that taught. Teaching on the way into the abyss of Jesus as his Chosen one for! More than 3 decades was founded upon eyewitness experiences he and the other apostles had and greater than us every. Men who appear on the disciples ( 9:26-27 ) the healing of Jairus (! Common for those who want to meet him still in our sinful state have greater assurance the... Say how much I appreciate your ministry Kings 18 ) him still in our sinful state vary in. In the Gospels, he is my beloved son the glory of God for him your... ; See also Philippians 2:5-11 ) to establish an earthly kingdom brings to an end the first major of. Which could be interpreted allegorically as the presence of God John, and his clothing dazzling... I expected to hear the Father is desperate, but who is this, about whom I such... Elijah challenged the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel ( 1 Kings )... Three tents, one for Elijahnot knowing what he said it is raised a spiritual body Baal Mount. In dishonor ; it is sown in dishonor ; it is raised a spiritual.!, as a sacrifice to God on Mount Carmel ( 1 Kings 18 ) in. For Moses and one for Elijahnot knowing what he said and James ( 36a...
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