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. The glorified Christ in Luke 9 is a taste of the glorified Christ after the resurrection. Jesus understands our suffering because he suffered greatly in his days on the earth. While he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him violently (v. 42a). Frederick Buechner once mused that maybe the oddness of the Transfiguration is not so odd after all. And heres a warning: If any of us have not believed in Jesus Christ, we should tremble. Bring your son here (v. 41). Some commentators even say that the preacher needs to choose one or the other. 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. Luke 9 is no exception. 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. Or they find Jesus rhetoric merely baffling and bewildering (see what happens in Luke 9:45 after another direct prediction of betrayal). God promises that the day will come when his glory will fill all the earth (Numbers 14:21). The fireworks have ended. 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). This is especially true for the writer of Luke. 3. Like my elder years ago, wed likely come back refreshed and renewed and revived in the Spirit. Jesus prayed to God, and as he prayed, his appearance was changed, his raiment became dazzling white. And then he was joined by none other than Moses and Elijah representing, of course, the Law and the Prophets of the Jewish faith. And youre hoping youre still alive. Jesus gave the twelve power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases (9:1). A resource for the whole church from Luther Seminary. The father is desperate, but has not given up. It goes without saying they had no way to recognize them physically. Jesus was glorified, changed from a mere mortal into a glorified, heavenly state. 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. Were not told why, although it was not unusual for Jesus to pull these 3 aside. She laughed and said, Oh, he just needs a little time every once in a while to be alone with God. She said hed go backpacking on horseback in the mountains of New Mexico. 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. God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai (Exo. 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. Action is both his strength and his weakness. And I do not fault them at all. 1. 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). Now, in todays Gospel lesson, we have the most authoritative answer to the question, Who is this? God says, This is my beloved Son. 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. 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. Jesus went up the mountain to pray (9:29), perhaps to commune with God concerning his destiny. And just like that, it was over. triumph oer the shades of night; 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 LUKE 9:28-31. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!. Several times over the years, Ive prayed that I could see an angel. They enclose a portion of the church year that is now fast coming to an end, just before the period of Lent. He was the second Adam and had not sinned. While he was praying, Jesus was transformed before the disciples eyes. He heard with his own ears the voice from heaven, This is my Son, my Chosen One.. 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. 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. The moment is over! He is beyond us and greater than us in every way imaginable. Its the kind of thing a loving Father does for his beloved Son. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. It is not what you would expect. 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. It was a thanksgiving celebration. WebWhat does Luke 9:28-36 mean? The accounts in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke are drawn from Marks, but there are some significant differences among them. Seize the day! And Terrifying. At the top of the mountain, they found themselves in the presence of God, who testified to the divine status of his son, Jesus. The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament. 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. Is there any trustworthy voice amidst the cacophony? To be confronted by him. From some frightening experience, we said or did something and we later wondered, Why did I do that?. They dont tell anyone what they have seen, and that is all right. They speak then of Jesus exodus from this world through his suffering, death, and resurrection into heaven, the place where they dwell with God. Listen to him (v. 35). 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. It commemorates Gods protection during the wilderness wanderings (Leviticus 23:39-43). 29. Undoubtedly, they spoke with Jesus of the events in the next few months of Jesus death, resurrection, and probably his ascension into heaven. Sobering. 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. First Reading. 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. The Exodus from Egypt was the great salvation event of the OT, freeing Israel from bondage to the Egyptians. The Greek term translated as departure is exodus (exodus in English). Behold, a spirit takes him, he suddenly cries out, and it convulses him so that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him severely (v. 39). WebJesus Heals a Centurions Servant. Luke 9:28-36 Transfiguration of the Lord You can tell when someone is really listening to you, writes Amanda Ripley in High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out.. As a journalist, Amanda listens to people for a living. The apostles are sent to preach and heal. All that is within Luke 9:31-33 is distinctive. In the Incarnation, the Son of God takes on human form and resides with us mortals on earth. What he says about discipleship is also to be heeded. Hope that Jesus is who he claims to be. We looked earlier at Peters words in his second letter. 3233 Burton St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, All written content on this site, unless labelled otherwise, is the copyright property of the center for excellence in preaching / respective content author(s), The Center for Excellence in Preaching is a resource from Calvin Theological Seminary. As such, it brings to an end the first major portion of the church year. WebThe Transfiguration. And while this looks a little one-dimensional compared to the computer-generated graphics were so accustomed to, its meant to represent their holiness. 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. We listen to so many voices today, all of which seem wise and attractivepundits, columnists, commentators, political analysts, religious gurus, celebrities, tempters, seducers. Does the radiance of God sparkle in your eyes? The Transfiguration gives these three privileged disciples a preview of that glory. Luke wrote this Gospel with this purpose in mind. Between Jesus birth and his death, this may be the most significant event in the Gospels. Lectionary Reflections Luke 9:28-36 February 10, 2013. How so? Loud cries and tears. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. So weve looked at this surprising, once-in-a-lifetime story. WebCommentary on Luke 9:28-36 (Read Luke 9:28-36) 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. Commentators have wide speculation as to what Peter intended to stay. It is not in vain. 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. Rev., the mountain. Biblical Commentary We lead busy lives. Perhaps intimidating. If that is our view, we are badly, badly mistaken. To me it defies explanation. Later, however, they succeeded in healing everywhere (9:6). The glory of the Lord was revealed at his birth (Luke 2:9). 35B (Dallas: Word Books, 1993), Pervo, Richard I., and Carl, William J. III, Proclamation 2, Epiphany, Series C (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1979), Ringe, Sharon H., Westminster Bible Companion, Luke (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press), Rohr, Richard, The Good News According to Luke: Spiritual Reflections (New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1997), Stein, Robert H., The New American Commentary: Luke (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1992), Tannehill, Robert C., Abingdon New Testament Commentaries: Luke (Nashville: Abingdon, 1996), Copyright 2007, 2010, Richard Niell Donovan, 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, be killed, and on the third day be raised up, suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up, Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? 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