40I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they couldnt.. The Bible has a more remarkable story of a metamorphosis. Only 3 disciples went with him. Herod said, John I beheaded, but who is this, about whom I hear such things? He sought to see him (vv. 1. And his resurrected guarantees our resurrection. They enclose a portion of the church year that is now fast coming to an end, just before the period of Lent. 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. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. Hebrews 10:31 ESV It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. It is as if they have been presented, suddenly and without warning, with their final Examtheir Really Final Exam. Consider the wider context of Luke here. As persons who have been privy to the company and mind of God, they are able to provide Jesus with divine revelation. 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. We need to listen to him. Sometimes he says something beautiful, like earlier in Chapter 9 when he confesses that Jesus is the Christ. III. WebWhat does Luke 9:28-36 mean? Spiritual. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 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). But who can adequately translate those "strong cryings and tears?" 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. They will fail to understand Jesus warning about his betrayal (9:43-45). God is not our Cosmic Buddy to whom we give the Bro handshake and hug. There is something so glorious about God and his kingdom that we will melt when confronted with it. There was tangible evidence that the grave is not the end., J. Oswald Sanders, The Incomparable Christ. The voice from the cloud says that we can always trust JesusListen to him!, We say, But Jesus is too idealistic to understand the bare-knuckles world in which I live! The voice says, Listen to him!, We say, Later, perhaps, but I have other things to do right now! The voice says, Listen to him!, We say, But I am not sure that I truly believe. The voice says, Listen to him!. You can turn there. The cloud was gone, Moses and Elijah vanished, and Jesus was left alone with his disciples. Undoubtedly, they spoke with Jesus of the events in the next few months of Jesus death, resurrection, and probably his ascension into heaven. Why Moses and Elijah? Let me offer a few thoughts. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijahnot knowing what he said. What is it thats so apparent about those whove been in the presence of God? Several times over the years, Ive prayed that I could see an angel. The exodon about which Moses and Elijah are speaking here is Jesus death, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem (v. 31). And if it seems odd to hear God the Father follow up this visual display with advice that has to do with listening and not looking, maybe thats because we, too, are often overly fixated on outward fame and power and glory as the world defines all those things and maybe that gets in the way of our truly listening to what Jesus says about humility and sacrifice and being servants of the lowest of the low in also our societies yet today. And because his emphasis is upon the humanity of Jesus, and one of the greatest needs 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. 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 Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. How many broken hearts and broken lives could be avoided if we would just listen to him! TRY SERMONWRITER! He was the second Adam and had not sinned. Perhaps Luke is tying the Transfiguration to the resurrection, which occurs on the eighth daythe day after the Sabbath. but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him (v. 32b). This was a real and astonishing moment in history. Matthews Gospel account says that Jesus was, transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light (Matt 17:2). They confirm that this is the will of God for him. It is those two men who appear on the mountain with Jesus and his companions. Hed come back a different man revived and ready to go back to work. Sermon Commentary for Sunday, February 7, 2016. Here Peter strikes out. one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah (Luke 9:33). Both of those portions of the Scriptures point ultimately to Jesus. Peters idea goes nowhere. More and more thyself display, Commentary on Exodus 34:29-35. 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. Its still there today in the church if only we dont just sleep through it. "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. Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! WebThe Pulpit Commentary - Luke 7:46. When Peter came to his senses and realized the significance of the moment, he said. And heres a warning: If any of us have not believed in Jesus Christ, we should tremble. When I was out in Odessa, we decided to call an associate pastor. While he was praying, Jesus was transformed before the disciples eyes. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Mark says they were afraid when Jesus was first glorified (Mark 9:6). Really carefully. If you look at all three Gospels: So essentially they were understandably terrified in the entire experience. WebLuke 9:28-36. Luke 9:28-36. 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 he returns down the mountain, his face literally shined for a time since he had been in Gods presence. The Great Prophet. Earlier in this chapter, Herod, hearing of the great works that Jesus was doing, was very perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. The saying of Peter would then mean that, since the messianic age is here, the group should camp out permanently on the mountain. WebMatthew Henry Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - . My Name Is _____ stick-on name badges. 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. 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). and went up onto the mountain to pray (9:28). Matthew and Mark say (Mt 17:1; Mr 9:2) "after six days," excluding these two days. He had talked previously about his forthcoming suffering and death. But theres more to it than this. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father (v. 42b). 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. Another possibility is that the proposal to build three booths equates Jesus with Moses and Elijahdiminishing Jesus unique status as the Messiah of God (see Peters confession in v. 20). The Gospel of John in particular speaks of the cross as Christs glorification (John 12:23; 13:31-32). Luke 9 is no exception. 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. 18-20)and that they will also suffer and die (vv. They are happy to see Jesus glorified. 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and Prayer is a transfiguring, transforming duty, which makes the face to shine. His clothing became dazzling white. This scene challenges our comprehension, but something heavenly was happening here. 28. an eight days after these sayingsincluding the day on which this was spoken and that of the Transfiguration. Between Jesus birth and his death, this may be the most significant event in the Gospels. In the Bible, mountains are synonymous with the majesty and dominion of God. 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. If they were not there to encourage Jesus in the direction he had to go, I cannot think of what else they would have had to say about that departure. God promises that the day will come when his glory will fill all the earth (Numbers 14:21). WebLuke 9:28-36, (37-43) Commentary by Scott Shauf The transfiguration of Jesus follows immediately on the scene where Peter confesses Jesus to be the Christ, the Messiah (Luke 9:20). For though he is glorious and transcendent, he is tender and merciful, and he longs to save our souls through his Son, Jesus. 17:19; Mark 9:210. Go another way! 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). All his teachings about love for God and for our fellow human beings are to be observed. The Transfiguration is a Christological festival in the church year, which means that the story of the Transfiguration deserves attention on its own. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, and James, and John his brother, and leadeth them to a high mountain apart; 2. 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. Second, Moses and Elijah are present. Perhaps because Israel is the people of the Law and the Prophets, and Moses was the great lawgiver, and Elijah the great prophet. In the Transfiguration, the earthly Jesus shares for a moment the company of two great and worthy residents of heaven, Moses and Elijah. Or they find Jesus rhetoric merely baffling and bewildering (see what happens in Luke 9:45 after another direct prediction of betrayal). 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). Probably, he just wants to do something. Have you ever known anyone like that? 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. They promise us health, wealth, and happiness, but seldom live up to their promises and often lead people toward ruin. And I do not fault them at all. This answers the question, Who is this?not by giving Jesus a title but by describing the process by which he will accomplish his work. Here we have Jesus at the top of the mountain being transfigured, receiving the visits of Moses and Elijah and they are talking Continue 29. 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. Jesus glorified like the sun. Does the radiance of God sparkle in your eyes? 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. Metamorphosis is when an ugly, crawly creature like a caterpillar undergoes a complete transformation and comes out radically different. 9:29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Copyright 2007, Philip McLarty. You fall to the ground trembling, your hair standing straight up. 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