Moreover, the disciples of Jesus are to listen to him. That chapter is all about the resurrection. Though this story in Luke 9 is quite unusual, even strange, it is a story that builds hope in us. WebLuke 9:28-36, (37-43) Good Morning Our God Pause thought for this Transfiguration Sunday is Transformation we spend a moment contemplating what this word means in our lives how Lukes account tells of the radical revelation of a mountaintop experience which is interrupted by reality. In the Transfiguration, the earthly Jesus shares for a moment the company of two great and worthy residents of heaven, Moses and Elijah. He is glorious in power and light and majesty and holiness. Then Jesus told the disciples what Peters answer implied. Luke 9:28-36. It also reveals a quality we tend to overlook, that those whove walked with God glow with the radiance of Gods presence. Everything was easy for him. But as Matt talked about last week, theres a bit of mystery here. WebLuke 9:28-36, (37-43a) 9:28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. Lets make three tents: one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah, not knowing what he said (v. 33). There was tangible evidence that the grave is not the end., J. Oswald Sanders, The Incomparable Christ. The story ends with the self-imposed silence (9:36), whereas in the parallels it is Jesus who commands the three disciples to be silent (Mark 9:9//Matthew 17:9). A SUBSCRIBER SAYS: Dear Dick, I would just like to say how much I appreciate your ministry. Or as Buechner put it, Even with us something like this happens once in a while. And besides, how would you explain this? All three of the Synoptics place the Transfiguration immediately after Jesus first passion pronouncement, emphasizing that the one who willbe killed, and on the third day be raised up (v. 22) is not a random victim of violence, but is the Son of God carrying out Gods plan (v. 35). (1-9) The multitude miraculously fed. There are many people who regret not listening to Jesus. Luke does not say that Jesus was actually transfigured (Greek metamorphthē), as in Mark and Matthew, but says only that his face was altered; along with the other two, however, he says that the clothing of Jesus became dazzling white. The wonder of it. Jerusalem will be the place of his death, but it will also be the place of his resurrection and his ascensionevents that will reveal his glory. They confirm that this is the will of God for him. 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). What he has said about himself and what is to happen is Gods will. What were Peter, John, and James thinking about this stunning scene before them? Moses had prophesied, Your God will raise up to you a prophet from the midst of you, of your brothers, like me. They said it was as if a ring of light encircled her face. Transfiguration of Jesus in Luke 9:28-36 The Trinity can be a difficult concept for anyone to grasp, but it is especially tough for youngsters who tend to be quite literal-minded. When the voice came, Jesus was found alone (v. 36a). Being exposed to the glory of God is an awesome and even terrifying experience. While he was praying, Jesus was transformed before the disciples eyes. Having both of them appear on the Mount of Transfiguration seems to be a neat way of coalescing the whole Old Testament into Jesus ministry. Strange. But there is something glorious, something heavenly that awaits them. and went up onto the mountain to pray (9:28). Mark 9:2-8. Click here for more information. 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. 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. 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. The father is desperate, but has not given up. 9:30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. And there is more to it than simply an unforgettable moment. Perhaps someone in this room. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. (18-27) The transfiguration. And heres a warning: If any of us have not believed in Jesus Christ, we should tremble. Bring your son here (v. 41). They are actually real. . I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they couldnt (v. 40). Ive read this many times and wondered, Why did this happen? What was the purpose? 13:43), And in his Letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes, Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. (Eph. You fall to the ground trembling, your hair standing straight up. 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, WebWhat does Luke 9:28-36 mean? Shortly before the Transfiguration, Jesus revealed to the disciples that 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 (9:22). Frederick Buechner once mused that maybe the oddness of the Transfiguration is not so odd after all. And that brings us to our fourth possible reason for the Transfiguration: To me its hard to imagine seeing these two ancient biblical heroes from centuries past. In religious art, saints are often depicted with a circle behind their faces sort of like a disk or pie plate. But, as one particular candidate came into the room, the whole ambiance of the room changed. The face of the man walking with his child in the park, of a woman baking bread, of sometimes even the most unlikely person listen to a concert or standing barefoot in the sand watching the waves roll in, or just have a beer at a Saturday baseball game in July. 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. Our bodies will be glorious. The Feast of Booths was observed in the fall each year at the completion of the harvest. Ancient leaders of Israel appearing before their very eyes. Whatever the potential outcome, they feel unworthy to stand in Gods presenceunprepared to meet their Makervulnerable. Were not told, but it seems that maybe the true image of God, the image of the Son, the spittin image of the Son who was his Father all over againmaybe this is what shone through in a way the disciples managed to miss seeing most days. They speak of Jesus forthcoming exodus or departure, his forthcoming death and resurrection, which Jesus had spoken of before going up the mountain (9:22). Hymn Lists. We heard the story of Moses up on Mount Sinai. They were silent, and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen (v. 36b). and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud (v. 34b). Listen to him! 36When the voice came, Jesus was found alone. Jesus himself metamorphosed into some radically different. If weve taken any biology class, weve heard of this word. From the looks of the text, it would not be an unwarranted leap to think these three did not tell even the other nine disciples what had taken place. The Transfiguration gives these three privileged disciples a preview of that glory. he took Peter, and John, and James; the same that he admitted to be with him at the raising of Jairus's daughter, and in the garden afterwards: and went up into a mountain to pray; to his God and Father, that his disciples might have a visible display of his glory, as an emblem and pledge of that in which he shall hereafter appear: it was usual with Christ to go up into a mountain to pray; Matthew 14:23. Mark says they were afraid when Jesus was first glorified (Mark 9:6). Prayer is a a mountainnot Tabor, according to long tradition, with which the facts ill comport, but some one near the lake. But then I read some of the biblical accounts when angels would appear in glory to Gods people, and those people were typically terrified. This is at the heart of our Christian faith. Luke is mindful of that eighth day significance, after all (he is the only evangelist to give us the Emmaus Road story, replete with Jesus being made known to the disciples in the breaking of the bread). 35A voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son. Simply he may have not wanted the experience to end. Though sinless, Jesus experienced pressures and grief and sorrow. For THAT your friends will follow you to the bitter end!. 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. Should the preacher make Now they are standing right here in front of them. Biblical writers, attempting to describe Gods glory using human words, portrayed it as like devouring fire (Exodus 24:17). The contrast between the mountaintop and the base of the mountain could not be sharper. The booths recall the Feast of Booths, one of the three major festivals of the Jewish faith. Luke 9:28-36 - Center for Excellence in Preaching Not for nothing are they called Mountaintop Experiences! Luke says, his clothing became white and dazzling In nature, metamorphosis is astonishing. Luke 9:28-36 The Transfiguration: The Coming Glory Metamorphosis. You shall listen to him (Deuteronomy 18:15). Jesus was glorified, changed from a mere mortal into a glorified, heavenly state. 34While he said these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. What is it thats so apparent about those whove been in the presence of God? These were not fables or tall tales. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijahnot knowing what he said. The story begins. Even Peter keeps his mouth shut. If you look at all three Gospels: So essentially they were understandably terrified in the entire experience. On one side of the bookshelf Exodus 34:29-35. Later, after the resurrection, he will make it clear that his death was necessary so that he might enter into his glory (Luke 24:26). Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child (v. 38). 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. More and more thyself display, Click here to listen to this lesson. Commentary on Luke 9:28-36 [37-43] In preparation for the Transfiguration of Our Lord in Year C, one has to make an obvious decision. The way Luke frames it, the whole dazzling event ends up being kind of sweet in its own way, as though the Fathersensing the apprehension of the Sonsent down some reinforcements to buck him up and help him make it across the finish line. The disciples will neither listen well nor carry out their tasks faithfullyuntil after the resurrection. However, these words are directed to the disciples rather than Jesus (as at the baptism). The glory of Moses and Elijah is not intended to compete with the glory of Jesus, which is described in much more dazzling terms, but only confirms their status as heavenly beings. Now he selects an inner circle of disciples to go with him, thus signaling the importance of the journey up the mountain. In the Incarnation, the Son of God takes on human form and resides with us mortals on earth. There may be another connection with Moses at this point. The accounts in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke are drawn from Marks, but there are some significant differences among them. They are happy to see Jesus glorified. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. Jesus words echo Moses reproach of Israel, and provide one more link between Moses and Jesus (Deuteronomy 32:5see also Numbers 14:27; Isaiah 65:2). This passage in Hebrews is startling to me. We are so familiar with Lincoln that we recognize even his silhouetted profile in an instant. Dont doubt him. We cant deal with it. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. Web36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. But that is not to be. Not for nothing are they called Mountaintop Experiences! They were all astonished at the majesty of God (v. 43). It took a bit, apparently, before they even fully woke up (and then saw something so odd they must have wondered if they were not, in fact, still asleep and seeing a dream). Amen. daystar in my heart appear., Visit, then, this soul of mine; Yet as Matt spoke of last week, he not only was 100% divine, he was 100% human with the frailties of humanity. Finally, there is the cloud and the voice. Jesus exodon (death/resurrection) is the great salvation event of the NT, freeing believers from bondage to sin and death. WebLuke 9:28-36 This passage is traditionally know as the Transfiguration, from the Greek term used by both Mark and Matthew to describe what happened to Jesus ( metemorphotha, Mk 9:2-8, Mt 17:1-8). Peter is an action-man! A thousand sparks to inspire you and your congregation! Scripture says. They went up onto the mountain to pray, and great things happened. WebLuke 9:28-36 Resume Prayer Some thoughts on today's scripture Jesus, like some of the key people in his Jewish faith, experiences a profound moment of encounter with God. When we are tempted to doubt if our prayers matter, we can read Lukes Gospel and see that Jesus had no such doubts. And Terrifying. Even now, its common for those who want to get in touch with the nearness of God to go to the mountains. The exodon about which Moses and Elijah are speaking here is Jesus death, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem (v. 31). They are afraid. God is transcendent. One creature is nothing like the other. So his need for prayer may not have been that much different than ours. This mountain is not named, but its name is not important. Alarming. Its weighing heavily on his mind. At the base of the mountain, they find themselves confronted by a great crowd and a distraught father who pleads for his son, who is possessed by a demon. This is simply the contrast of the smallness of our humanity before the might and power and glory of Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth. His disciples, Peter, James and John, were privileged to see Christs glory on the Mount of Transfiguration (9:28-36). Spark Inspiration: And this is where Id like to end simply by saying that for us to celebrate the transfiguration of Jesus is to renew our commitment to him, to recognize him as the Son of God and the Lord and Savior of our lives. These three disciples were present at the healing of Jairus daughter (8:51). The disciples will also have a problem with sleep at the Mount of Olives (22:45). Lukes disclosure concerning the conversation is highly significant for his account. And I do not fault them at all. Christs cross was necessary so that he might enter into his glory (Luke 24:26; see also Philippians 2:5-11). Listen to him! There is a sermon in these words. But who can adequately translate those "strong cryings and tears?" Between Jesus birth and his death, this may be the most significant event in the Gospels. And it speaks to us what Christ did a few months later in his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. Jesus came to set people free from sin. 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. Copyright 2007, Philip McLarty. "Complete Commentary on Luke 9:36". Luke says they were afraid when the cloud came upon them (Luke 9:34). Jesus answers that in the next verse. At this point in Lukes story, Jesus and the disciples are on the way into the abyss of Jesus passion. Herod's terror at the growing greatness of our Lord Jesus, ver. 2 Peter 1:1618 ESV For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. To see Gods glory provokes an intense response. This event was not some simple stunt someone videos and posts on YouTube. 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. Go another way! Paul says that at the resurrection, we who know Jesus will be changed: 1 Corinthians 15:4244 ESV So is it with the resurrection of the dead. We looked earlier at Peters words in his second letter. In a few minutes, well talk more about WHY this all happened. Look in your Bibles up at vs. 26 here in Luke 9. They were silent, and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen. It was a thanksgiving celebration. But the subject matter of their conversation is clear: They spoke of Jesus departure and what he would accomplish in Jerusalem.. There is a sermon in these few words. 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). Why go through all this razzle-dazzle, bright-as-lightning stuff if the whole incident ends up being more about ears than eyes? Accounts of Moses as having gone to heaven are not in the Old Testament itself, but in Jewish tradition (Josephus, Ant, 4.326). Luke wrote this Gospel with this purpose in mind. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment . TRY SERMONWRITER! 3 (Downers Grove, Illinois, Intervarsity Press, 1994), Cousar, Charles B.; Gaventa, Beverly R.; McCann, J. Clinton; and Newsome, James D., Texts for Preaching: A Lectionary Commentary Based on the NRSVYear C (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1994), Craddock, Fred B., Interpretation: Luke (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1990), Craddock, Fred B.; Hayes, John H.; Holliday, Carl R.; and Tucker, Gene M., Preaching Through the Christian Year, C (Valley Forge: Trinity Press, 1994), Culpepper, R. Alan, The New Interpreters Bible, Volume IX. Their tasks faithfullyuntil after the resurrection been that much different than ours and he. A few minutes, well talk more about ears than eyes experience to end these have. Attempting to describe Gods glory using human words, portrayed it as like devouring fire ( 24:17! Unusual, even strange, it is sown in dishonor ; it is raised imperishable... 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