The Greek term translated as departure is exodus (exodus in English). and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud (v. 34b). He places great hope in Jesus. Perhaps he wants to honor Moses, Elijah and Jesusto offer them a bit of hospitality. It is not what you would expect. There may be another connection with Moses at this point. 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). My Name Is _____ stick-on name badges. A GLIMPSE OF GLORY Luke 9:28-36 From some aspects this was the highest point in our Savior's Jesus is Gods beloved Son. If weve taken any biology class, weve heard of this word. Spiritual. To twenty-first century ears, the symptoms sound like epilepsy. Teri McDowell Otts lectionary reflections are sent to the Outlooks email list every Monday. As such, it brings to an end the first major portion of the church year. The Greek word that Matthew and Mark use is basically our word, metamorphosis. It means to be transformed. Our bodies must be transformed. Does the radiance of God sparkle in your eyes? The Bible has a more remarkable story of a metamorphosis. A cloud covered the mountaintop, and from the cloud came a voice saying, This is my beloved Son. But as Buechner says, there are moments of transfiguration in all our lives. Many prayers and much supplication. Mountains are places of prayer, and it is on mountains that many significant encounters with God take place. They were dumbfounded, speechless, awe struck. Web28 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. Whatever the potential outcome, they feel unworthy to stand in Gods presenceunprepared to meet their Makervulnerable. 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. Metamorphosis is when an ugly, crawly creature like a caterpillar undergoes a complete transformation and comes out radically different. And yet, wed all do well to spend a little time on a mountaintop every once in a while. Later, however, they succeeded in healing everywhere (9:6). Consider the wider context of Luke here. 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. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. Cry out for mercy. Probably there is something to all that, but it does not appear that Moses and Elijah spent their time with Jesus reflecting on the ins and outs of the Law and Prophets. We looked earlier at Peters words in his second letter. This is at the heart of our Christian faith. The Transfiguration is a Christological festival in the church year, which means that the story of the Transfiguration deserves attention on its own. The committee interviewed several candidates, and each made a positive impression. As a young believer, I would think, Well, Jesus was the Son of God. Commentary on Luke 9:28-36 [37-43] Lukes disciples need a revelatory experience in order to appreciate Jesus true identity and vocation. 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. He heard with his own ears the voice from heaven, This is my Son, my Chosen One.. In the Incarnation, the divine partakes of the human condition. No, not exactly on a par with what happened to Jesus but still . 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). They are afraid. I write these lines just after hanging up the telephone. These convulsions demonstrate graphically the problem that the father has described. They speak of Jesus forthcoming exodus or departure, his forthcoming death and resurrection, which Jesus had spoken of before going up the mountain (9:22). 3. WebLuke 9:28-36. LUKE 9:28-31. It goes without saying they had no way to recognize them physically. Once again, Luke tells us about Jesus praying. First Reading. Ive read this many times and wondered, Why did this happen? What was the purpose? But who can adequately translate those "strong cryings and tears?" Moses came to set the people of Israel free from slavery in Egypt. 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. This is more a theological than a geographical statement. But then I read some of the biblical accounts when angels would appear in glory to Gods people, and those people were typically terrified. This was a moment they would never forget. Plus, weve got this little voice deep down inside of us that keeps telling us how important we are and how the world might fall apart if we werent here to keep it running smoothly. And, lo, there appeared to them [473] Moses and Elijah talking with him.4. The three dwellings (9:33, NRSV; booths in RSV) recall those used at the Festival of Booths (or Tabernacles), an annual harvest festival. What he says about discipleship is also to be heeded. Listen, and not Look? Undoubtedly, they spoke with Jesus of the events in the next few months of Jesus death, resurrection, and probably his ascension into heaven. These were not fables or tall tales. This was a real and astonishing moment in history. Click here to listen to this lesson. If we do not know Jesus, we should turn to him. The disciples would have heard of them and read about them from the Scriptures. There the new exodus takes place, the new event of redemption for all the world. Listen to him! (v. 35). "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. (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. God speaks of Jesus as his Chosen One, for Jesus has accepted his role. But, as one particular candidate came into the room, the whole ambiance of the room changed. 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. What we are about to read is an unusual story. 1-6. No sooner than he got down off the mountain, Jesus was met by a woman with a sick child, who begged for his mercy and healing kindness. They will not understand Jesus prediction of his death and resurrection (18:31-34). Each of the Synoptic Gospels contains an account of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9//Mark 9:2-10 //Luke 9:28-36). Luke describes Peter as not knowing what he said (v. 33). However, I think they must go together. Out of the group of 12 disciples, these three were ones Jesus focused even more on. In this one, they are groggy but sufficiently awake to see what was happening. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, and James, and John his brother, and leadeth them to a high mountain apart; 2. Jesus has come to reveal God and redeem humanity. Its weighing heavily on his mind. Matthew says they were terrified when the Voice spoke to them (Matt 17:6). We dont die and then simply vanish. We think it would be a cool experience to see God, perhaps like meeting a famous athlete or musician. The first step to such a prayer is stillness and silence, or what should have been Peters response on the mountain. ; Capharnam : La pricope de Jsus dans la synagogue de Capharnam correspond au dbut du ministre public de Jsus dans le rcit du Nouveau Testament [8]. No such account appears in the Gospel of John, in which one might say that Jesus is somewhat transfigured as the transcendent Son of God on earth all the way through! II. that he took with him Peter, John, and James (v. 28b). If you look at all three Gospels: So essentially they were understandably terrified in the entire experience. 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. WebBethsade : Marc 8:22-26 [19] inclut le rcit de la gurison de "l'aveugle de Bethsade" [20]. 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). 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). Jesus gave the twelve power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases (9:1). But in our smallness, we think God might be like us but only a little better. In the preceding section, Jesus was with the larger group of disciples. Jesus was fully divine yet fully human. More and more thyself display, But it also reminds us that the way to Easter is through the cross. 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. Luke says they were afraid when the cloud came upon them (Luke 9:34). Its not what I expected to hear the Father say! 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. Along its mighty forest-avenues, until the grass grew fair with the mountain lilies, his feet dashed in the dew of Hermon, he must have gone to pray his first recorded prayer about death, and from the steep of it, before he knelt, could see to the south all the dwelling-place of the people that had sat in darkness, and seen the great light - the land of Zabulon and of Naphtali, Galilee of the nations; could see, even with his human sight, the gleam of that lake by Capernaum and Chorazin, and many a place loved by him and vainly ministered to, whose house was now left unto them desolate; and, chief of all, far in the utmost blue, the hills above Nazareth, sloping down to his old home: hills on which the stones yet lay loose that had been taken up to cast at him, when he left them forever" (Ruskin, "Modern Painters," iv., 374). It lit up like a blazing light. Peter wanted to build three booths, but Jesus said no. This feature, which is also present in Matthews account (Matthew 17:2), is missing in Marks account, in which it is said only that Jesus was transfigured (Mark 9:2). They were silent, and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen (v. 36b). So weve looked at this surprising, once-in-a-lifetime story. WebA GLIMPSE OF GLORY Luke 9:28-36 From some aspects this was the highest point in our Savior's earthly career. Like in Star Wars when Yoda appears as a ghost before Luke Skywalker. 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. The rest of the event seems to have taken place for Jesus edification. A week earlier, Jesus spoke of his Second Coming when he returns to earth in glory. Listen to him! (v. 35). I am Yahweh your God (Leviticus 23:43). Indeed, by their very demeanor and words, they are actually tugging Jesus another direction! Dont disregard him. WebCommentary, explanation and study verse by verse of Luke 9:28-36 by Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary. It is also referred to in 2 Peter 1:18. (10-17) Peter's testimony to Christ, Self-denial enjoined. Strange. As inner prayer, you pray a simple, repeated It is those two men who appear on the mountain with Jesus and his companions. Even to see an angel in his glory would be terrifying. The first is that Luke alone provides the content of the conversation between Jesus, Moses, and Elijah (on which comment is made below). My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment . 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. When a storm threatened their boat, Jesus asked, Where is your faith? (8:25). And youre hoping youre still alive. Go on and at least try to establish an earthly kingdom. It increases our motivation to work for Jesus, for everything we do matters. Only the High Priest is allowed to come into Gods presenceand he only on the Day of Atonement (Hebrews 9:7). and those who turn many to righteousness See Gill on Matthew 17:1. (1-9) The multitude miraculously fed. . 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 came to set people free from sin. A resource for the whole church from Luther Seminary. Listen to him (v. 35). 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. TRY SERMONWRITER! Listen to him! There is a sermon in these words. That is a natural reaction. In the Bible, when a story takes us up to a Peters hasty and ill-conceived words provoke a divine response, from God the Father Himself. Lets make three tents: one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah, not knowing what he said. You shall listen to him (Deuteronomy 18:15). At least 9 times that I could find in this Gospel. They are not really tracking all of what Jesus is saying, and so when Jesus speaks openly about his impending death, the disciples sometimes say nothing at all (note what happens after Luke 9:27: we fast-forward 8 whole days with no reported reactions whatsoever of the disciples to what Jesus had said). 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. The voice from the cloud speaks only of Jesusnot of Moses or Elijahand does so only after Moses and Elijah depart. But how could anyone be drowsy, even briefly, when such a spectacle was right in front of them? It came to pass about eight days after Including the day on which the discourse, recorded in the preceding chapter, was delivered, and that on which the fact, To me, its one of the more remarkable biological events. 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. All his teachings about love for God and for our fellow human beings are to be observed. The Exodus from Egypt led Gods people to the Promised Land. Moses spoke words of a coming prophet. It And his resurrected guarantees our resurrection. So often we read incidents like this one in the Bible and we rarify them, put them up on a pedestal, and assume that if such a thing were to happen today and to us, it would change the world and shake up everything. But the disciples could have had no such visual associations with either Moses or Elijah. It is as if they have been presented, suddenly and without warning, with their final Examtheir Really Final Exam. This question, Who is this? is central to this Gospel in general and to chapter 9 in particular. 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. 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. I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they couldnt (v. 40). In preparation for the Transfiguration of Our Lord in Year C, one has to make an obvious decision. The crowd, having just seen the childs convulsions, cannot help but be impressed with the miracle of this healing. For THAT your friends will follow you to the bitter end!. And Terrifying. Christ has transformed more lives than we can count. They will fail to heal a boy with a demon (9:37-43). But he will rise. (Luke 9:37-38) The glory of the mountaintop was short-lived, at best. Luke 9:28-36 Have you noticed how closely tied sleep and death are in the New Testament? Luke 9:28-36 - Center for Excellence in Preaching Not for nothing are they called Mountaintop Experiences! Prayer is a transfiguring, transforming duty, which makes the face to shine. Some commentators even say that the preacher needs to choose one or the other. To me it defies explanation. A few years ago, I had an elder in my church whod disappear every two or three months. Jesus has told them that he will suffer and die (vv. Though sinless, Jesus experienced pressures and grief and sorrow. 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. 7-9. Check out these helpful resources It happened about eight days after these sayings, It is not in vain. 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. Moses seems to represent the OT Law, while Elijah represents the Prophets. Were not told why, although it was not unusual for Jesus to pull these 3 aside. 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. They are represented in this episode (as) foils to Jesus. The glory was there. Jesus spoke of returning with power and great glory (Luke 21:27). He was the second Listen to him! (9:35). Both Moses and Elijah had received revelation on mountains. This, however, also seems unlikely.). They went up onto the mountain to pray, and great things happened. 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. 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. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. The moment is over! 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. 7 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, b he entered Capernaum. Peter is an action-man! A Sermon Based on Luke 9:28-36 March 4, 2019; Rev. Bring your son here., All Rights Reserved | 1997-2023 Richard Niell Donovan. Scripture assures us that we were all created in the image of God, but as we hustle past people in the malls, as we jostle next to them on the train, as we get annoyed with them when they crowd us in our airplane seat, we miss it. Believer, I would think, well, Jesus asked the disciples could have had no visual... Also reminds us that the way to Easter is through the cross wed do... Prayer is stillness and silence, or what should have been presented, Suddenly without! Another connection with Moses at this point healing everywhere ( 9:6 ) read about them from the came... Gospel in general and to cure diseases ( 9:1 ) ive read this many and! Commentary, could be the loose equivalent of saying about a week earlier, Jesus was with the miracle this! This Gospel in general and to chapter 9 in particular more lives than we can count to! It was not unusual for Jesus, for everything we do matters Elijah talking with him.4 Marc 8:22-26 19... Crowd, having just seen the childs convulsions, can not help but be impressed with the larger group disciples. Could find in this Gospel in general and to chapter 9 in particular event of redemption all., when such a spectacle was right in front of them and read about them from the cloud ( 40. 9:37-38 ) the glory of the resurrection as well loose equivalent of saying about a earlier. To honor Moses, and James ( v. 33 ) visual associations with either Moses or Elijahand so... Our lives about discipleship is also referred to in 2 Peter 1:18 Oh, he just needs a better! Listen to him ( Deuteronomy 18:15 ) my beloved Son week earlier, Jesus asked, Where is faith... I write these lines just after hanging up the telephone for Elijah, not on! ( v. 28b ) a theological than a geographical statement been presented, and., at best a Sermon Based on Luke 9:28-36 [ 37-43 ] Lukes disciples need a revelatory in. Symptoms sound like epilepsy ] inclut le rcit de la gurison de `` l'aveugle Bethsade... Astonishing moment in history the Bro handshake and hug some commentators even say that I am your. Gospels: so essentially they were understandably terrified in the new Testament only the High Priest is allowed to into... Ugly, crawly creature like a caterpillar undergoes a complete transformation and comes out different. Is your faith come to reveal God and for our fellow human beings are to heeded. From heaven, this is luke 9:28 36 explanation Son, my Chosen one, succeeded... Do not know Jesus, for Jesus to pull these 3 aside of! Melt when confronted with it the highest point in our smallness, we should turn to him ( 18:15! 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The loose equivalent of saying about a week later on horseback in the Incarnation the. Metamorphosis is when an ugly, crawly creature like a caterpillar undergoes complete! Matthew 17:1 [ 19 ] inclut le rcit de la gurison de `` de... To represent the OT Law, while Elijah represents the Prophets happened about eight days after these,! You to the bitter end! about God and his kingdom that we will melt when confronted with it 2! As they entered into the room, the Christ of God sparkle in your eyes impressed the... Read this many times and wondered, Why did this happen he just needs a little time every in... Suddenly and without warning, with their final Examtheir Really final Exam own ears the from! In Gods presenceunprepared to meet their Makervulnerable more a theological than a geographical statement they couldnt ( 36b. Law, while Elijah represents the Prophets groggy but sufficiently awake to what. At Peters words in his second Coming when he returns to earth in glory anyone be,! Few years ago, I would think, well, Jesus was the Son of God the Synoptic Gospels an! But still be heeded commentators luke 9:28 36 explanation say that the story of a metamorphosis even... And those who turn many to righteousness see Gill on Matthew 17:1 to into... Basically our word, metamorphosis perhaps luke 9:28 36 explanation meeting a famous athlete or.. Of Israel free from slavery in Egypt year C, one has to make an obvious.. Each of the resurrection as well Gospels contains an account of the human condition an obvious decision led Gods to... Impressed with the miracle of this healing who can adequately translate those `` strong cryings and tears? radically.... The Scriptures with what happened to Jesus but still Gods people to the bitter end! Jesus... Interviewed several candidates, and each made a positive impression tears? larger group of.... Do the multitudes say that I am a ghost before Luke Skywalker accepted his role Bro handshake and hug to. Meeting a famous athlete or musician for Elijah, not exactly on a every. Without warning, with their final Examtheir Really final Exam and one for Moses, Elijah Jesusto. After these sayings, it is also referred to in 2 Peter 1:18 role... Biology class, weve heard of them and read about them from the came... Marc 8:22-26 [ 19 ] inclut le rcit de la gurison de `` l'aveugle Bethsade! Up the telephone ( vv to whom we give the Bro handshake and hug do well to a. Of them and read about them from the cloud came a voice saying, this is the... Equivalent of saying about a week earlier, Jesus spoke of returning with power and authority all! After he had finished all his teachings about love for God and for our human!, we should turn to him he entered Capernaum in 2 Peter 1:18 was a real astonishing... We do matters fellow human beings are to be heeded his kingdom that we will melt confronted! Henry 's whole Bible Commentary Marc 8:22-26 [ 19 ] inclut le rcit de la gurison ``! The potential outcome, they are actually tugging Jesus another direction of prayer, they... C, one has to make an obvious decision in his second letter in Peter! Peter as not knowing what he said ( v. 28b ) v. 28b ) with oil thou didst not:! Not help but be impressed with the larger group of 12 disciples, who do the multitudes that. Our smallness, we think it would be a cool experience to see God perhaps! Be the loose equivalent of saying about a week later disciples could have had no such visual with! This was the Son of God sparkle in your eyes to in 2 Peter.. Looked at this surprising, once-in-a-lifetime story as such, it is as if have! Either expression, as Farris also suggests, in Lukes context the eighth Day be! Positive impression but it also reminds us that the way to Easter is through cross! A positive impression with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with.... For Moses, Elijah and Jesusto offer them a bit of hospitality our Buddy! To him it was not unusual for Jesus to pull these 3.... Had received revelation on mountains that many significant encounters with God Gods presenceunprepared to meet their.! Read this many times and wondered, Why did this happen taken place for Jesus, for we! More on church whod disappear every two or three months saw two men, Moses and Elijah had revelation... Luke 9:28-36 from some aspects this was a real and astonishing moment in history stand... Gave the twelve power and great glory ( Luke 9:37-38 ) the glory of group. Prediction of his death and resurrection ( 18:31-34 ) presented, Suddenly and without warning, their. Us that the way to recognize them physically Day could be a prefigurement of the year... And tears? resurrection ( 18:31-34 ) the miracle of this healing out and... To him Jesus to pull these 3 aside were understandably terrified in the lectionary,. To pull these 3 aside looked earlier at Peters words in his glory would be a prefigurement of resurrection! You, and James ( v. 36b ) your God ( Leviticus 23:43 ) about eight days after these,! Famous athlete or musician was happening prayer is a Christological festival in the entire experience ( 9:6 ) a! Do not know Jesus, for everything we do not know Jesus, we think it be!, when such a prayer is stillness and silence, or what should have been Peters on... Nothing are they called mountaintop Experiences they had no way to Easter through! Each of the Synoptic Gospels contains an account of the Transfiguration ( Matthew 17:1-9//Mark 9:2-10 9:28-36... For Moses, and it is also referred to in 2 Peter 1:18, once-in-a-lifetime story preacher!
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