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? Jesus exodon (death/resurrection) is the great salvation event of the NT, freeing believers from bondage to sin and death. The clearest example is his prayerful agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. As inner prayer, you pray a simple, repeated And his resurrected guarantees our resurrection. The fireworks have ended. Now, heres Jesus on Mount Herman. He is beyond us and greater than us in every way imaginable. A week ago, I was reading in 1 Corinthians 15 in my daily morning reading. Both incidents: (1) occur on a mountain (2) involve Moses (3) have God speaking from a cloud (4) speak of the glory of the Lord and (5) inspire fear. We do not want to meet him still in our sinful state. That scene ends with Jesus teaching on the coming glory of Gods kingdom to be experienced by the disciples (9:26-27). In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. They were silent, and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen (v. 36b). Go on and at least try to establish an earthly kingdom. But the drama up there on that mountain seems to have been only partly intended to make an impression on the disciples. To look on Gods face is to die (Exodus 33:20). Achtemeier, Paul J. and Elizabeth R., Proclamation, Epiphany, Series C (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1973), Barclay, William, The Daily Study Bible, The Gospel of Luke (Edinburgh: Saint Andrew Press, 1953), Bock, Darrell L., The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Luke, Vol. But in our smallness, we think God might be like us but only a little better. (In more cheeky moments Ive wondered about these two men sporting Hello! In the Protestant lectionary, Transfiguration Sunday stands at the juncture between Epiphany and Lent, and as such, offers a glimpse forward to the Easter Season and the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. We have here the narrative of Christ's transfiguration, which was designed for a specimen of that glory of his in which he will come to judge the world, of which he had lately been speaking, and, consequently, an encouragement to his disciples to suffer for him, and never to be This event was unprecedented. Now we learn that they have also failed to heal this boy (v. 40). They cannot encourage Jesus to stick with what they dont understand (and would resist if they did understand it). Since this part of my sermon commentary is about Questions, Ill just ask a few of the ones that come to my mind in this startlingly odd passage. Frederick Buechner once mused that maybe the oddness of the Transfiguration is not so odd after all. 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. The cloud was gone, Moses and Elijah vanished, and Jesus was left alone with his disciples. It is useful. one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah (Luke 9:33). 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). Jesus went up the mountain to pray (9:29), perhaps to commune with God concerning his destiny. More importantly, it marked a renewal of Gods covenant with Israel. WebLuke 9:28-36. Its still there today in the church if only we dont just sleep through it. Then Jesus told the disciples what Peters answer implied. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. One you try to capture with a camera. Luke 9 is no exception. The reading was from the Gospel according to Luke: The Transfiguration. This moment on the mountain with Jesus, Moses and Elijah tells us that yes, there truly is life beyond the grave. The first step to such a prayer is stillness and silence, or what should have been Peters response on the mountain. And we get a lot of positive reinforcement for being responsible, predictable and easy to get a hold of. Hope that Jesus is who he claims to be. Rev., the mountain. 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. 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. So whats up with that? This is my Son, my Chosen One. Only the High Priest is allowed to come into Gods presenceand he only on the Day of Atonement (Hebrews 9:7). The Gospel of John in particular speaks of the cross as Christs glorification (John 12:23; 13:31-32). To be amazed, even to tremble. Perhaps someone in this room. Check out these helpful resources LUKE 9:28-31. And Terrifying. And besides, how would you explain this? 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. When you get a moment, take a close look in the mirror. The apostles sent forth. 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. The committee interviewed several candidates, and each made a positive impression. Peters idea goes nowhere. And it speaks to us what Christ did a few months later in his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. Moses and Elijah spoke of (Jesus) departure (Greek: exodon), which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem (v. 31). His clothing became dazzling white. This scene challenges our comprehension, but something heavenly was happening here. 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. This is the only Gospel to tell us what Moses and Elijah discuss with Jesus. WebLuke 9:28 Context Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers (28-36) And it came to pass.--See Notes on Matthew 17:1-13, and Mark 9:2-13. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep (v. 32a). 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. Both of those portions of the Scriptures point ultimately to Jesus. Its not easy to do. Jesus was glorified, changed from a mere mortal into a glorified, heavenly state. Lets make three tents: one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah, not knowing what he said. 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). Luke, the first-century physician, describes the problem as demon-possession. 2 Now a centurion had a servant 1 who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. ), The Lectionary Commentary: Theological Exegesis for Sundays Text. What is some significance for us today from these words here in Luke 9?? 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and Jesus has just announced to the disciples that he must (Greek: deiimplying the will of God) 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). WebLuke 9:1-50 contain sundry particulars which together form the closing scenes of the Galilean ministry: the mission of the Twelve, the feeding of the thousands, the conversation on the Christ and the Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary. That chapter is all about the resurrection. Dont disregard him. Commentary on Exodus 34:29-35. But then we all often miss seeing this in each other as often as not. But the drama up there on that mountain seems to have been only partly intended to make an impression on the disciples. Peter never forgot this moment when he had a brief glimpse of the coming glory of Jesus Christ. Teri McDowell Otts lectionary reflections are sent to the Outlooks email list every Monday. 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. From some frightening experience, we said or did something and we later wondered, Why did I do that?. Loud cries and tears. First Reading Commentary on Exodus 34:29-35 Moses countenance glows Accounts of Moses as having gone to heaven are not in the Old Testament itself, but in Jewish tradition (Josephus, Ant, 4.326). The disciples are terrified because they understand the cloud as the presence of God. 21-27). Indeed, by their very demeanor and words, they are actually tugging Jesus another direction! Does your face glow with the light of Christ? An analogy might be coming into contact with a live high-voltage electrical line. Biblical Commentary The saying of Peter would then mean that, since the messianic age is here, the group should camp out permanently on the mountain. 29 As he was praying, WebLuke 9:28-36: Transfiguration. 17:19; Mark 9:210. We listen to so many voices today, all of which seem wise and attractivepundits, columnists, commentators, political analysts, religious gurus, celebrities, tempters, seducers. Thirty years later, Peter wrote with words of awe about this day on the mountain. It is also referred to in 2 Peter 1:18. He never panicked nor doubted his heavenly Father. To glimpse his majesty and power. WebChrist shares Gods glory. Our Lord Jesus, even in his transfiguration, was willing to speak concerning his death and sufferings. It took me a while to pick up on his pattern, and when I did, I asked his wife what was going on. Several members of the congregation, unbeknownst to each other, mentioned this to me on more than one occasion. 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. 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. 7 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, b he entered Capernaum. 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. And this is a truth we all need to remember: Whether your religious experience is like that of the Apostle Paul, who was blinded by the light of Christ on the road to Damascus; or John Wesley, who felt his heart strangely warmed at Aldersgate; or Horace Bushnell, who confessed to being nurtured in the faith over a lifetime in New England, the real test of Christianity is not the ecstasy of the mountaintop experience, but the compassion and sympathy you show for others in the valley below. Its real. Whatever the potential outcome, they feel unworthy to stand in Gods presenceunprepared to meet their Makervulnerable. Dayspring from on high, be near; Bring your son here (v. 41). This is especially true for the writer of Luke. Perhaps because Israel is the people of the Law and the Prophets, and Moses was the great lawgiver, and Elijah the great prophet. Perhaps he is also tying it to the Feast of Tabernacles, where the Israelites present offerings for seven days and then have a holy convocation on the eighth day (Leviticus 23:36). Second, Moses and Elijah are present. 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). Some commentators even say that the preacher needs to choose one or the other. and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud (v. 34b). 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)? (Nashville: Abingdon, 1952), Green, Joel B., The New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Gospel of Luke (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997), Hendriksen, William, New Testament Commentary: Luke (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978), Nickle, Keith F., Preaching the Gospel of Luke (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2000), Nolland, John, Word Biblical Commentary: Luke 9:2118:34, Vol. They confirm that this is the will of God for him. As one prepares to preach on this text, it is important to bear in mind that the Transfiguration of Our Lord is a Christological festival, not so much an occasion for moralism (that we all have mountain top experiences, but must come down). Moses seems to represent the OT Law, while Elijah represents the Prophets. A few verses later, at 9:51, Luke writes that Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem, where all that has been spoken of will take place for him. In the Bible, when a story takes us up to a The glorification? Luke tells us that Peter did not know what he was saying, something which is quite evident. My wife and a few friends are reading a book trying to describe the grandness and majesty and transcendence of God. His disciples, Peter, James and John, were privileged to see Christs glory on the Mount of This was a real and astonishing moment in history. Simply he may have not wanted the experience to end. Between Jesus birth and his death, this may be the most significant event in the Gospels. 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. But how could anyone be drowsy, even briefly, when such a spectacle was right in front of them? 41Jesus answered, Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? An experience the disciples never forgot. Seize the day! a Glimpse of Glory Luke 9:28-36 From some aspects this was the highest point in our Savior's earthly career. In his prayerful agony, as he felt the weight of his impending suffering on the Cross, Jesus sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. It is not what you would expect. All that Peter taught and wrote about for more than 3 decades was founded upon eyewitness experiences he and the other apostles had. 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. But there is something glorious, something heavenly that awaits them. That Jesus perhaps needed this boost is testament to his true humanity. The glory of the Lord was revealed at his birth (Luke 2:9). This passage in Hebrews is startling to me. The moment is over! It is a fearful, terrifying thing to meet God in judgment. 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