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. It is not in vain. They will not understand Jesus prediction of his death and resurrection (18:31-34). However it all happened, Luke alone tells us that these two showed up to encourage Jesus, to remind him that they, too, along with all the hosts of heaven were gearing up for the fulfillment of everything God had been aiming to accomplish ever since sin and evil showed up in this creation to sully Gods good intentions. They were all astonished at the majesty of God (v. 43). For THAT your friends will follow you to the bitter end!. Commentators have long pointed out that Moses represented the Sinai Covenant/Law (as well as the Exodus) and that Elijah represented the prophetic voice of the Old Testament as well as Gods covenant faithfulness in sending servants to continue speaking to and ministering to even a wayward Israel. Incarnation and Transfiguration are antiphonal. Now, lets think about that for just a moment. Yet as Matt spoke of last week, he not only was 100% divine, he was 100% human with the frailties of humanity. Jesus answers that in the next verse. Or as Buechner put it, Even with us something like this happens once in a while. This is the only Gospel to tell us what Moses and Elijah discuss with Jesus. 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 want to camp out with him on the mountain. Its weighing heavily on his mind. Only 3 disciples went with him. they saw his glory and heard the voice of God. But the disciples seem lost in a fog of cluelessness. WebMatthew Henry Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - . 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. Its not what I expected to hear the Father say! Test of true discipleship (Matthew 16:24-28; Mark 8:34-1; Luke 9:23-27) Immediately after telling his disciples of his coming suffering and death, Jesus told them they had to be prepared for similar treatment. and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud (v. 34b). But that is horrible, and now for at least a moment it appears that all that can be bypassed. Why go through all this razzle-dazzle, bright-as-lightning stuff if the whole incident ends up being more about ears than eyes? Both Moses and Elijah had received revelation on mountains. 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. 32Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him. Jesus came to set people free from sin. 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? The contrast between the mountaintop and the base of the mountain could not be sharper. I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they couldnt (v. 40). The Transfiguration is a story with six characters, but none we can, or probably want to, identify with fully. God speaks of Jesus as his Chosen One, for Jesus has accepted his role. Loud cries and tears. Luke 9:28-36 Commentary. Now, in todays Gospel lesson, we have the most authoritative answer to the question, Who is this? God says, This is my beloved Son. to prayfor the period He had now reached was a critical and anxious one. Between Jesus birth and his death, this may be the most significant event in the Gospels. 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. But its a whole other experience to have that same bolt of lightning strike the tree in your backyard when youre standing in the window 30 feet away. This event was unprecedented. As inner prayer, you pray a simple, repeated 35A voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son. Why Moses and Elijah? See Mark 9:14-29 and Matthew 17:14-20 for parallels. Accounts of Moses as having gone to heaven are not in the Old Testament itself, but in Jewish tradition (Josephus, Ant, 4.326). Delivered Weekly! When I was out in Odessa, we decided to call an associate pastor. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. The Jewish people expect Moses and Elijah to return to usher in the messianic era. scatter all my unbelief; Then He called His twelve disciples together Elijah fled to Mount Horeb, and there God spoke to him in a sound of sheer silence (1 Kings 19:12, NRSV; RSV: a still small voice). The Feast of Booths was observed in the fall each year at the completion of the harvest. It was a thanksgiving celebration. We can read about that in Luke 22 just hours before the Crucifixion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father (v. 42b). My wife and a few friends are reading a book trying to describe the grandness and majesty and transcendence of God. It lit up like a blazing light. Peter, James, and Johnpartners before in secular business; now sole witnesses of the resurrection of Jairus' daughter (Mr 5:37), the transfiguration, and the agony in the garden (Mr 14:33). daystar in my heart appear., Visit, then, this soul of mine; Several times over the years, Ive prayed that I could see an angel. Mark says they were afraid when Jesus was first glorified (Mark 9:6). 29As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling. 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. 30Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31who appeared in glory, and spoke of his departure (Greek: exodon), which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Luke 9:28-36, Seeing Jesus Glory. 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. Lets make three tents: Moses spoke words of a coming prophet. 37It happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met him. David Oliver-Holder; Luke; Only stories or art can articulate what is beyond measure or experiment or explanation. There are many parallels between Moses in Exodus 24 and Jesus at the Transfiguration. Peter never forgot this moment when he had a brief glimpse of the coming glory of Jesus Christ. Peter will deny Jesus (22:54-62). 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. (1-2) Jesus calls them and sends them forth. But other times he swings at the pitch, completely whiffs, and strikes out. 1-6. 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. What is this departure and events in Jerusalem? The Greek word that Matthew and Mark use is basically our word, metamorphosis. It means to be transformed. Now they are standing right here in front of them. They kept silent and in those days told no one of any of the things they had seen. And the story of the transfiguration in todays gospel (Luke 9:28-36) is the story of the sublime, absolute beauty. Scott Hoezee. WebMatthew 17:1-8. Luke 9:28-36 - Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary. But the drama up there on that mountain seems to have been only partly intended to make an impression on the disciples. Commentators have wide speculation as to what Peter intended to stay. Yes, the disciples themselves will suffer as they follow Jesus and proclaim him to the world. 4. WebThe Transfiguration. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. She lit up the room, and we all knew that this was the person we were looking for.. Amen. The last 3 chapters of Luke speak of this. Metamorphosis is when an ugly, crawly creature like a caterpillar undergoes a complete transformation and comes out radically different. 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). All that Peter taught and wrote about for more than 3 decades was founded upon eyewitness experiences he and the other apostles had. Bring your son here (v. 41). The transfiguration of Jesus offers a glimpse of the Trinity, as well as a wild display of Gods glory and confirmation of who Christ is. Though sinless, Jesus experienced pressures and grief and sorrow. They said it was as if a ring of light encircled her face. The moderator of the committee told me later, It was as if someone turned on the lights. It took me a while to pick up on his pattern, and when I did, I asked his wife what was going on. (See on [1610]Mt 16:13). We see Moses and Elijah, and we are strengthened to know there is life after the grave. In the Bible, when a story takes us up to a 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. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. Now he selects an inner circle of disciples to go with him, thus signaling the importance of the journey up the mountain. WebLuke 9:28-36 The Transfiguration 28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 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. An event like this has only a few parallels. When the voice came, Jesus was found alone (v. 36a). 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. The Gospel accounts call it, The Transfiguration. Our Bible passage this morning is in Luke 9. This is my beloved Son. Not for nothing are they called Mountaintop Experiences! On the other side of the bookshelf weve got Jesus going up on Mount Herman. 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). The parents, in their old age, will need the childs support. A second possible reason for the Transfiguration: We know from the Scriptures that Jesus never sinned. 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). Metamorphosis is when an ugly, crawly creature like a caterpillar undergoes a complete transformation and comes out radically different. Those words, aimed at the disciples, but probably most directly at Peter, are just as relevant to men and women today as they were then. 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. 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. Perhaps intimidating. What was his response? They have been on mountains to receive revelation; they are expected to appear at the coming of the messianic age (see Deuteronomy 18:15 concerning Moses; Malachi 4:5 concerning Elijah); and both had been taken into heaven and thereby were privileged to know God face-to-face and to know his will. See Gill on Matthew 17:1. A cool one. But he will rise. And it matters. Biblical Commentary In the preceding section, Jesus was with the larger group of disciples. At the top of the mountain, they found themselves in the presence of God, who testified to the divine status of his son, Jesus. But maybe behind these questions something of the core truth of the gospel starts to come out. Moreover, the disciples of Jesus are to listen to him. It also reveals a quality we tend to overlook, that those whove walked with God glow with the radiance of Gods presence. Ive seen the Lord! No such account appears in the Gospel of John, in which one might say that Jesus is somewhat transfigured as the transcendent Son of God on earth all the way through! English versions of the Bible vary widely in how they translate that verse. Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? One creature is nothing like the other. 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. The Greek term translated as departure is exodus (exodus in English). He places great hope in Jesus. At least 9 times that I could find in this Gospel. . Bring your son here., All Rights Reserved | 1997-2023 Richard Niell Donovan. Jesus is preparing His disciples and telling them that it is necessary for the Son of Man to suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and be killed and then raised up on the third day. We are so familiar with Lincoln that we recognize even his silhouetted profile in an instant. 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. And for the worshiping congregation, Lent begins on the following Wednesday. (Nashville: Abingdon, 1995), Evans, Craig A., New International Biblical Commentary: Luke (Peabody, MA, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1990), Farris, Stephen, in Van Harn, Roger (ed. (Luke 9:37-38) The glory of the mountaintop was short-lived, at best. What do we do with this? Is there any trustworthy voice amidst the cacophony? More importantly, it marked a renewal of Gods covenant with Israel. Jesus exodon (death/resurrection) is the great salvation event of the NT, freeing believers from bondage to sin and death. Insights on preaching and sermon ideas, straight to your inbox. Luke says they were afraid when the cloud came upon them (Luke 9:34). It would be too much for us. This word, exodon, provides another parallel with Moses, who led the Exodus from Egypt. It In this one, they are groggy but sufficiently awake to see what was happening. That word, TRANSFIGURED, is obviously why we call this the Transfiguration. There the new exodus takes place, the new event of redemption for all the world. 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. We know from Matthews and Marks Gospels Jesus told them to tell no one until after the resurrection. A resource for the whole church from Luther Seminary. (In more cheeky moments Ive wondered about these two men sporting Hello! 43They were all astonished at the majesty of God. To see Gods glory provokes an intense response. 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and It is as if they have been presented, suddenly and without warning, with their final Examtheir Really Final Exam. Listen to him! (v. 35). triumph oer the shades of night; We do not want to meet him still in our sinful state. To me, its one of the more remarkable biological events. Luke says, his clothing became white and dazzling An action-man needs to act! More and more thyself display, Frederick Buechner once mused that maybe the oddness of the Transfiguration is not so odd after all. 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. We looked earlier at Peters words in his second letter. 1. What is some significance for us today from these words here in Luke 9?? They were silent, and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen. His clothing became dazzling white. This scene challenges our comprehension, but something heavenly was happening here. Every second reading for Transfiguration from 2 Corinthians comes after the next. 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. Moses and Elijah spoke of (Jesus) departure (Greek: exodon), which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem (v. 31). Anybody who manages to radiate the energy and light of a lightning bolt is mighty powerful and mighty bright. For though he is glorious and transcendent, he is tender and merciful, and he longs to save our souls through his Son, Jesus. 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