Peter will refer to it as the holy mountain (2 Peter 1:18). This passage is traditionally know as the Transfiguration, from the Greek term used by both Mark and Matthew to describe what happened to Jesus (metemorphotha, Mk 9:2-8, Mt 17:1-8).Since this term as adopted into English often carries connotations of a permanent and radical alteration, as in the 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. However, these words are directed to the disciples rather than Jesus (as at the baptism). Cry out for mercy. 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). Im convinced every one of us would have responded similarly. Moses came to set the people of Israel free from slavery in Egypt. Today we have two lectionary texts that apparently dont go together. 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. Now, in todays Gospel lesson, we have the most authoritative answer to the question, Who is this? God says, This is my beloved Son. The Greek term translated as departure is exodus (exodus in English). The event was a revelation of Christs glory and was witnessed by only three chosen apostles. ), which the WEB has updated. 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. Loud cries and tears. Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! We listen to so many voices today, all of which seem wise and attractivepundits, columnists, commentators, political analysts, religious gurus, celebrities, tempters, seducers. Its real. The parents, in their old age, will need the childs support. WebChrist shares Gods glory. 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. 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. These three disciples were present at the healing of Jairus daughter (8:51). 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). From some frightening experience, we said or did something and we later wondered, Why did I do that?. And we get a lot of positive reinforcement for being responsible, predictable and easy to get a hold of. Perhaps because Israel is the people of the Law and the Prophets, and Moses was the great lawgiver, and Elijah the great prophet. Its still there today in the church if only we dont just sleep through it. As noted above, these words form another connection with Moses, who told the people, Yahweh your God will raise up to you a prophet from the midst of you, of your brothers, like me. Commentary on Luke 9:28-36 [37-43] In preparation for the Transfiguration of Our Lord in Year C, one has to make an obvious decision. 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. Jesus came to set people free from sin. Luke 9:28-36 These events in Luke 9 take place about six months before the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. At the conclusion of his splendid chapter on the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of our bodies, Paul magnificently concludes: 1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. Not only is the father distraught because his son is suffering, but his situation is made even more difficult by the fact that this is his only child. See Gill on Matthew 17:1. They talk with Jesus. 21-27). The glorification? This passage in Hebrews is startling to me. And, lo, there appeared to them [473] Moses and Elijah talking with him.4. Its not easy to do. Neither do Peter, John, or James offer an explanation. But on a different note: its always been a mystery to me how the disciples recognized Moses and Elijah. Luke is mindful of that eighth day significance, after all (he is the only evangelist to give us the Emmaus Road story, replete with Jesus being made known to the disciples in the breaking of the bread). Though this story in Luke 9 is quite unusual, even strange, it is a story that builds hope in us. 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. As inner prayer, you pray a simple, repeated 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. They will fail to understand Jesus warning about his betrayal (9:43-45). 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)? The father is desperate, but has not given up. and those who turn many to righteousness Go another way! Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. In the preceding section, Jesus was with the larger group of disciples. 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). 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. Dayspring from on high, be near; This is not an issue of cowardice. We can read about that in Luke 22 just hours before the Crucifixion. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. Alarming. 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. The Transfiguration gives these three privileged disciples a preview of that glory. They dont tell anyone what they have seen, and that is all right. We lead busy lives. We dont die and then simply vanish. It also reveals a quality we tend to overlook, that those whove walked with God glow with the radiance of Gods presence. 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. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. 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). If we have any skepticism in us, this story is so unusual I can understand how we might be skeptical and wonder, Did that really happen?. 1. My wife and a few friends are reading a book trying to describe the grandness and majesty and transcendence of God. They will not understand Jesus prediction of his death and resurrection (18:31-34). Scripture says they were heavy with sleep butwere fully awake.(9:32) Another way of saying it is that they were in a stupor. More importantly, it marked a renewal of Gods covenant with Israel. Incarnation and Transfiguration are antiphonal. The crowd, having just seen the childs convulsions, cannot help but be impressed with the miracle of this healing. 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. The glory of the Lord was revealed at his birth (Luke 2:9). A week earlier, Jesus spoke of his Second Coming when he returns to earth in glory. The rest of the event seems to have taken place for Jesus edification. Luke 9 is no exception. Is there any trustworthy voice amidst the cacophony? Let us proclaim our faith in Jesus. 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. 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. His disciples, Peter, James and John, were privileged to see Christs glory on the Mount of Transfiguration (9:28-36). But there is something glorious, something heavenly that awaits them. Luke helps us to know that proclaiming the good Prayer is a transfiguring, transforming duty, which makes the face to shine. But that is not to be. Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child (v. 38). 39Behold, 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. It is also referred to in 2 Peter 1:18. 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. WebThe transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36) Jesus transfiguration took place on a high mountain, possibly Mount Hermon, which was not far from Caesarea Philippi. 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). Have you ever seen such radiance as this in the faces of people youve known over the years? LUKE 9:28-31. This future glory of Christ when he comes again to earth soon is displayed for a short time on this mountaintop experience. In the Incarnation, the Son of God takes on human form and resides with us mortals on earth. Mountaintop experiences are important, but theyre not meant to last forever. But then we all often miss seeing this in each other as often as not. Every time they respond to Jesus predictions about suffering with indifference or with actions that tug another direction, Jesus must surely have heard the tempters voice whispering into his ear, See, even your friends dont buy it! 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and This question, Who is this? is central to this Gospel in general and to chapter 9 in particular. GET YOUR FOUR FREE SAMPLES! Listen to him! (9:29, 34-35). Jesus went up the mountain to pray (9:29), perhaps to commune with God concerning his destiny. Thou that dwellest between the cherubim, shine forth: Show Me a token for good: Father, glorify Thy name.". They were dumbfounded, speechless, awe struck. Prayer is a The tradition that this mountain was Tabor is generally abandoned, and Mount Hermon is commonly supposed to have been the scene of the transfiguration. WebMatthew Henry Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - . Later, however, they succeeded in healing everywhere (9:6). TRY SERMONWRITER! 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. Master, it is good for us to be here. WebLuke 9:28-36, (37-43a) 9:28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. Perishable means it has an expiration date. The can of beans in our kitchen cabinet has an expiration date on it. So whats up with that? The Bible has a more remarkable story of a metamorphosis. (and) a voice came out of the cloud, saying, Amen. Mark 9:2-8. Our bodies will be glorious. His constant praying shows his love for his Father in heavenand his confidence that his prayers and his worship were heard. It happened, as they were parting from him, that Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here. Scared out of their minds. Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; There is a sermon in these few words. Listen to him! There is a sermon in these words. And besides, how would you explain this? WebThe gospel in Luke 9:28-36 is a reminder that Jesus in His divinity still goes through a lot of trials to save us. Sermon Commentary for Sunday, February 7, 2016. and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud (v. 34b). When we are tempted to doubt if our prayers matter, we can read Lukes Gospel and see that Jesus had no such doubts. 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). 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. We heard the story of Moses up on Mount Sinai. Sun of righteousness, arise, Its not what I expected to hear the Father say! but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him (v. 32b). Whatever the potential outcome, they feel unworthy to stand in Gods presenceunprepared to meet their Makervulnerable. III. An action-man needs to act! Strange. So weve looked at this surprising, once-in-a-lifetime story. When we see God in all his glory, we will be shaken to the core. This is my Son, my Chosen One. An inexplicable kind of splendor and majesty and power and light. God promises that the day will come when his glory will fill all the earth (Numbers 14:21). As for the transfiguration of Jesus, it represents a turning point in his life: No longer would he continue his ministry in Galilee, his hour had come. Jesus exodon leads us into the kingdom of God. It is not in vain. Or as Buechner put it, Even with us something like this happens once in a while. Peter is an action-man! 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Hope that Jesus is who he claims to be. Click here to listen to this lesson. Even now, its common for those who want to get in touch with the nearness of God to go to the mountains. Or perhaps he was thinking about Gods coming kingdom as displayed in the Jewish Feast of the Tabernacles, or the Feast of Tents., But the text here and in Marks parallel account seems that even Peter didnt know. The story begins. To twenty-first century ears, the symptoms sound like epilepsy. All of this provides important background, for Luke himself says that the transfiguration took place after these sayings., Some of the major features of Lukes account, over against Marks, are the following. As Moses led the Israelites in the wilderness, God told him to build booths in which the people would dwell for seven days (Leviticus 23:33-43). And heres a warning: If any of us have not believed in Jesus Christ, we should tremble. Many prayers and much supplication. Its the kind of thing a loving Father does for his beloved Son. As the "sayings" so definitely connected with the transfiguration scene are those announcing His deathat which Peter and all the Twelve were so startled and scandalizedso this scene was designed to show to the eyes as well as the heart how glorious that death was in the view of Heaven. The disciples kept 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. WebMatthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 9:28-36 In this chapter we have, I. 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? Being responsible, predictable and easy to get in touch with the larger of! 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