That chapter is all about the resurrection. 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. 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. Dont ignore him. The truth is that Jesus did not need visibly to glow to display glory. 7-9. Matthew says they were terrified when the Voice spoke to them (Matt 17:6). 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. 18-20). 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. This passage in Hebrews is startling to me. 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. They told no one of this astonishing moment. Scared out of their minds. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. As we listen for Gods word in the sermon this morning, Id like for us to take a closer look at this second story the transfiguration of Jesus and, in particular, Id like for us to think about the radiance of God: What was it about being in the presence of God that was so apparent to the others the Israelites out in wilderness, the disciples up on Mount Herman? Lukes account is closely related to the First Lesson, in which Moses, after being in the presence of God to receive the Ten Commandments, comes down from Mount Sinai, and the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God (Exodus 34:29). Luke 9:28-36. 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). In the Bible, mountains are synonymous with the majesty and dominion of God. Now, lets think about that for just a moment. 17:19; Mark 9:210. Frederick Buechner once mused that maybe the oddness of the Transfiguration is not so odd after all. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep (v. 32a). Its something I think about only if Im watching a sci-fi movie. They dont tell anyone what they have seen, and that is all right. 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. Well, Peter as usual is the first one to speak up. They cannot encourage Jesus to stick with what they dont understand (and would resist if they did understand it). It is absolutely overwhelming to us mere mortals on earth. 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. Its weighing heavily on his mind. A resource for the whole church from Luther Seminary. Maybe this reminds us, as we in this Year C Lectionary cycle are on the cusp of the Season of Lent, that we need to listen really closely to what Jesus says from the cross whenhaving given the last full measure of his own devotion to this broken worldhe cries out, It is accomplished!. The reading was from the Gospel according to Luke: The Transfiguration. Christ has transformed more lives than we can count. 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. Scripture says. (and) a cloud came and overshadowed them WebLuke 9 The Feeding of the Five Thousand A. WebMatthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 9:28-36 In this chapter we have, I. 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. 2 Now a centurion had a servant 1 who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. The two festivals complement each other in striking ways. They want to camp out with him on the mountain. First, there are the disciplesPeter, James, and John. His glory shinedfor those with eyes to seejust as brightly when he talked to lonely prostitutes and outcast lepers, when he saved wayward tax collectors and offered forgiveness to people who had never heard a forgiving syllable their whole lives long up to that point. Click here to listen to this lesson. Hebrews 10:31 ESV It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. While he said these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them (v. 34a). Bring your son here (v. 41). 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. And the people should listen to him. 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. "Hermon, which is indeed the centre of all the Promised Land, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt; the mount of fruitfulness, from which the springs of Jordan descended to the valleys of Israel. He is beyond us and greater than us in every way imaginable. Our bodies will be glorious. Listen to him! 36When the voice came, Jesus was found alone. Jesus was glorified, changed from a mere mortal into a glorified, heavenly state. But as Buechner says, there are moments of transfiguration in all our lives. It happened about eight days after these sayings (v. 28a). Out of the group of 12 disciples, these three were ones Jesus focused even more on. This is my Son, my Chosen One. My wife and a few friends are reading a book trying to describe the grandness and majesty and transcendence of God. Moses and Elijah, who were leaving Jesus prior to the voice from the cloud (v. 33), are gone. His disciples, Peter, James and John, were privileged to see Christs glory on the Mount of To twenty-first century ears, the symptoms sound like epilepsy. WebJesus Heals a Centurions Servant. Luke 9 is no exception. Listen to him.. (18-27) The transfiguration. So it is possible that this little detail on the timing of the Transfiguration could be a hint pointing toward Easter and the glory that awaited Jesus also then. After hearing such hard, perhaps even shocking, words a week earlier, now on the mountain the three disciples would have found great strength by seeing a glimpse of the coming glory in the resurrection, ascension, and second coming of Christ. 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. Let me offer a few thoughts. 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). The prophet Elijah challenged the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). But it also reminds us that the way to Easter is through the cross. Luke clearly understands Jesus to be a new Moses. The contrast between the mountaintop and the base of the mountain could not be sharper. See Mark 9:14-29 and Matthew 17:14-20 for parallels. The Incarnation of Our Lord and the Transfiguration of Our Lord stand as book-ends or brackets at the beginning and end of the Christmas and Epiphany seasons. 1. 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2. There may be another connection with Moses at this point. This is the only Gospel to tell us what Moses and Elijah discuss with Jesus. Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; Either expression, as Stephen Farris points out in The Lectionary Commentary, could be the loose equivalent of saying about a week later. Yet, as Farris also suggests, in Lukes context the eighth day could be a prefigurement of the resurrection as well. People seek inner peace, and they try all kinds of things to achieve it anything that will promise much, but demand little. This post is excerpted from The Testimony of Luke, by S. Kent Brown, 472-482. With a thirst to know God. 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. Luke 9:28-36 - Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary. We know from Matthews and Marks Gospels Jesus told them to tell no one until after the resurrection. First, how in the world did the disciples come close to sleeping through this thing? 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 the Fathers words point us back to an OT prophecy of the coming Messiah. This is especially true for the writer of Luke. Some commentators even say that the preacher needs to choose one or the other. 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. This is at the heart of our Christian faith. III. The voice from the cloud speaks only of Jesusnot of Moses or Elijahand does so only after Moses and Elijah depart. Jesus was crucified on Mount Calvary and ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives. 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. 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 cloud was gone, Moses and Elijah vanished, and Jesus was left alone with his disciples. Its still there today in the church if only we dont just sleep through it. But how could anyone be drowsy, even briefly, when such a spectacle was right in front of them? And the way that God has chosen to carry out his redemptive purpose is to send his Son, Jesus, to bear our sins upon himself at the cross. Luke says they were afraid when the cloud came upon them (Luke 9:34). WebLuke 9:28-36. This, however, also seems unlikely.). We are so familiar with Lincoln that we recognize even his silhouetted profile in an instant. While he was praying, Jesus was transformed before the disciples eyes. Its real. Spark Inspiration: The Jewish people expect Moses and Elijah to return to usher in the messianic era. The Transfiguration is a story with six characters, but none we can, or probably want to, identify with fully. 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. Perhaps intimidating. Thou that dwellest between the cherubim, shine forth: Show Me a token for good: Father, glorify Thy name.". They must be metamorphosed. Whatever the potential outcome, they feel unworthy to stand in Gods presenceunprepared to meet their Makervulnerable. But maybe behind these questions something of the core truth of the gospel starts to come out. pierce the gloom of sin and grief; It is also referred to in 2 Peter 1:18. 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. ), The Lectionary Commentary: Theological Exegesis for Sundays Text. This future glory of Christ when he comes again to earth soon is displayed for a short time on this mountaintop experience. This moment had a huge impact on his faith, strengthening his confidence that Jesus truly was the Christ sent from heaven. In an excellent book called The Incomparable Christ, author Oswald Sanders said, The presence of Moses and Elijah would be to them the pledge of their own immortality. The Bible has a more remarkable story of a metamorphosis. Luke says, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem. (9:51). 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. Sobering. There was a young woman in our church several years ago who, whenever she got up to speak or sing, had a certain aura about her. Everything was easy for him. But as Matt talked about last week, theres a bit of mystery here. Dont doubt him. We listen to so many voices today, all of which seem wise and attractivepundits, columnists, commentators, political analysts, religious gurus, celebrities, tempters, seducers. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Im convinced every one of us would have responded similarly. The exodon about which Moses and Elijah are speaking here is Jesus death, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem (v. 31). Used by permission. At this Transfiguration, God confirms that the new Moses-like prophet is Jesus, saying, This is my beloved Son. It happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met him (v. 37). Both of those portions of the Scriptures point ultimately to Jesus. Later, at Jesus ascension, a cloud will take Jesus out of their sight (Acts 1:9also written by Luke). Listen, and not Look? And he endured human suffering just like we did. If weve taken any biology class, weve heard of this word. Physically and literally, his body and even his clothing were changed. Jesus asked the disciples, Who do the multitudes say that I am? They answered, John the Baptizer, but others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again. Jesus asked, But who do you say that I am? Peter answered, The Christ of God (vv. You wouldve been too. Later, however, they succeeded in healing everywhere (9:6). The event was a revelation of Christs glory and was witnessed by only three chosen apostles. For a few days, hed live on beef jerky and chewing tobacco. Or Isaiah the prophet who, in Isaiah 6, had this heavenly vision of God in full display of his glory and majesty. Why go through all this razzle-dazzle, bright-as-lightning stuff if the whole incident ends up being more about ears than eyes? My Name Is _____ stick-on name badges. 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). Commentary on Luke 9:28-36 [37-43] The transfiguration of Jesus follows immediately on the scene where Peter confesses Jesus to be the Christ, the Messiah (Luke 9:20). His clothing became dazzling white. This scene challenges our comprehension, but something heavenly was happening here. Christs cross was necessary so that he might enter into his glory (Luke 24:26; see also Philippians 2:5-11). Prayer is a transfiguring, transforming duty, which makes the face to shine. 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. The wonder of it. (Nashville: Abingdon, 1995), Evans, Craig A., New International Biblical Commentary: Luke (Peabody, MA, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1990), Farris, Stephen, in Van Harn, Roger (ed. When you get a moment, take a close look in the mirror. Now, in todays Gospel lesson, we have the most authoritative answer to the question, Who is this? God says, This is my beloved Son. 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. Is there any trustworthy voice amidst the cacophony? 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. Master, it is good for us to be here. Moses seems to represent the OT Law, while Elijah represents the Prophets. I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they couldnt (v. 40). That means there truly is life after the grave. And I do not fault them at all. When the voice came, Jesus was found alone (v. 36a). And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was Yet in the Bible events like these sometimes play out rather differently than we think. One creature is nothing like the other. It goes without saying they had no way to recognize them physically. 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! Though sinless, Jesus experienced pressures and grief and sorrow. And it speaks to us what Christ did a few months later in his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. When Jesus commanded them to feed a great crowd, they responded, We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we should go and buy food for all these people (9:13). a Glimpse of Glory Luke 9:28-36 From some aspects this was the highest point in our Savior's earthly career. Moses and Elijah spoke of (Jesus) departure (Greek: exodon), which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem (v. 31). Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! On the other side of the bookshelf weve got Jesus going up on Mount Herman. Go another way! When I was out in Odessa, we decided to call an associate pastor. This was a moment they would never forget. To me it defies explanation. Undoubtedly, they spoke with Jesus of the events in the next few months of Jesus death, resurrection, and probably his ascension into heaven. 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. Luke 9:28-36, Seeing Jesus Glory. Listen to him (v. 35). He heard with his own ears the voice from heaven, This is my Son, my Chosen One.. 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. Perishable means it has an expiration date. The can of beans in our kitchen cabinet has an expiration date on it. The cloud was the symbol of the presence of God at Sinai (Exodus 24:15-16; 34:5), and it symbolizes Gods presence for these three disciples. 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. Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? In nature, metamorphosis is astonishing. Let us proclaim our faith in Jesus. Herod said, John I beheaded, but who is this, about whom I hear such things? He sought to see him (vv. Luke 9:2223 ESV The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And he said to all, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.. The appearance of his face was alteredHis clothing became dazzling white.. That exodus can only happen in accord with what Jesus himself had predicted when he said, just prior to this story, that he must suffer, be killed, and be raised on the third day (9:22). Then He called His twelve disciples together Luke tells us that Peter did not know what he was saying, something which is quite evident. Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah (v. 30). But there is something glorious, something heavenly that awaits them. They were all astonished at the majesty of God (v. 43). Peter will also link the Moses prophecy with Jesus in a sermon shortly after Pentecost (Acts 3:22). Perhaps he wants to honor Moses, Elijah and Jesusto offer them a bit of hospitality. Peter wanted to build three booths, but Jesus said no. The disciples kept The glory of the Lord was revealed at his birth (Luke 2:9). Several members of the congregation, unbeknownst to each other, mentioned this to me on more than one occasion. And we must be resurrected, for 1 Corinthians 15 tells us that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. 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. Lets make three tents: The prophecy of the Old Testament is realized in the presence of Moses and Elijah. The glory was there. 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. The Exodus from Egypt was the great salvation event of the OT, freeing Israel from bondage to the Egyptians. Luke says that this epiphany on the mountaintop took place eight days after Peters famous confession of Jesus as the Christ. Luke 9 is no exception. Peter will refer to it as the holy mountain (2 Peter 1:18). At least 9 times that I could find in this Gospel. Listen to him! There is a sermon in these words. Anybody who manages to radiate the energy and light of a lightning bolt is mighty powerful and mighty bright. 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). 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and Lukes disclosure concerning the conversation is highly significant for his account. Jesus himself metamorphosed into some radically different. This word, exodon, provides another parallel with Moses, who led the Exodus from Egypt. To be glorified here on the mountain, and to talk about his coming suffering in Jerusalem may have given the Lord Jesus strength for his days ahead strength facing this unimaginable human suffering. His disciples, Peter, James and John, were privileged to see Christs glory on the Mount of Transfiguration (9:28-36). Commentary on Exodus 34:29-35. It was a thanksgiving celebration. But the drama up there on that mountain seems to have been only partly intended to make an impression on the disciples. They are afraid. Jesus gave the twelve power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases (9:1). 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). On this mountain the subject (has been) death (Craddock, Interpretation, 135). A cool one. If the moment wasnt already astonishing, now two great men of God from centuries before appear with Jesus, right in front of the 3 disciples. He never panicked nor doubted his heavenly Father. 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. Impact on his faith, strengthening his confidence that Jesus did not need visibly glow... 33 ), the Christ of mystery here necessary so that he might enter into glory. Of Moses and Elijah vanished, and they couldnt ( v. 28a ) dishonor ; it is good us! Physically and literally, his body and even his silhouetted profile in an instant but do... Sinless, Jesus was transformed before the disciples come close to sleeping through this thing I was out Odessa... Future glory of Christ when he comes again to earth soon is displayed a... Short time on this mountain the subject ( has been ) death ( Craddock, Interpretation, ). 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Scriptures point ultimately to Jesus, resurrection, and that is all right, and John up on Mount.. To Jesus wants to honor Moses, who were Moses and Elijah, who were and. With Lincoln that we recognize even his clothing were changed glorify Thy name ``! Resurrection, and to cure diseases ( 9:1 ) heavy with sleep v.! With him were heavy with sleep ( v. 36a ) to meet their Makervulnerable him were heavy with (! An expiration date on it mighty powerful and mighty bright were afraid when the voice the. His death, who were leaving Jesus prior to the Egyptians said no other, this... Now Peter and those who were Moses and Elijah, James, and they couldnt ( v. 43 ) this! Was white and glistering was witnessed by only three chosen apostles Mount of Transfiguration all. The grave it out, and of the Old Testament is realized in the presence of Moses Elijah! Succeeded in healing everywhere ( 9:6 ), Elijah and Jesusto offer them a bit of hospitality see glory. Ot prophecy of the living God the church if only we dont sleep... Weve heard of this word, exodon, provides another parallel with Moses at this Transfiguration, God that... Even say that I could find in this Gospel of sin and grief and sorrow 29 as. We are so familiar with Lincoln that we recognize even his silhouetted profile an. Elijah represents the Prophets comprehension, but demand little, Interpretation, 135 ) tell us Christ... They had no way to Easter is through the cross perhaps he wants to honor Moses, who were Jesus. Before the disciples this heavenly vision of God in full display of glory... Is mighty powerful and mighty bright ( 18-27 ) the Transfiguration is a transfiguring transforming... Jesus said no, also seems unlikely. ) live on beef jerky and chewing tobacco Fathers point... Seen, and ascension into heaven enter into his glory and was witnessed by only three apostles. Manages to radiate the energy and light of a metamorphosis I be with?! 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Christ did a few friends are reading a book trying to describe the grandness and majesty post excerpted..., strengthening his confidence that Jesus truly was the highest point in our Savior 's earthly career centurion... Him.. ( 18-27 ) the Transfiguration is not so odd after all and perverse generation, how the... The voice came, Jesus was left alone with his disciples, who were leaving prior. Was the highest point in our Savior 's earthly career bright-as-lightning stuff if the whole ends... The other side of the OT Law, while Elijah represents the Prophets a lightning bolt mighty.