A cloud covered the mountaintop, and from the cloud came a voice saying, This is my beloved Son. 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. Now, heres Jesus on Mount Herman. English versions of the Bible vary widely in how they translate that verse. II. Christ has transformed more lives than we can count. It happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met him (v. 37). Listen to him! 36When the voice came, Jesus was found alone. Childrens Sermons At the base of the mountain, they find themselves confronted by a great crowd and a distraught father who pleads for his son, who is possessed by a demon. As persons who have been privy to the company and mind of God, they are able to provide Jesus with divine revelation. Its still there today in the church if only we dont just sleep through it. This recalls the story of Moses, who encountered God on Sinai as a devouring fire on the top of the mountain (Exodus 24:17) and whose face shone brightly by reason of his speaking with Yahweh (34:29). This moment on the mountain with Jesus, Moses and Elijah tells us that yes, there truly is life beyond the grave. Abraham offered his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice to God on Mount Moriah (Gen. 22). But the drama up there on that mountain seems to have been only partly intended to make an impression on the disciples. Maybe the sleepiness of the disciples is emblematic for how often they had missed the glory of Jesus when it shined right in front of them day in and day out throughout Jesus ministry. III. Dont disregard him. An inexplicable kind of splendor and majesty and power and light. Every second reading for Transfiguration from 2 Corinthians comes after the next. Jesus was glorified, changed from a mere mortal into a glorified, heavenly state. And if we find it odd that the disciples kept mum about this then perhaps we can turn the camera around to ourselves to wonder how often we keep silent about the great and glorious truths of the Gospel that we celebrate in church on Sundays but then fail to mention in the week that follows. ; Cana : Jean 2 :1-11 inclut les Noces de Cana comme le premier miracle accompli par Jsus [21], [22]. Luke 9:28-36, Seeing Jesus Glory. 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). The event was a revelation of Christs glory and was witnessed by only three chosen apostles. More importantly, it marked a renewal of Gods covenant with Israel. WebJesus Heals a Centurions Servant. This is especially true for the writer of Luke. Teri McDowell Otts lectionary reflections are sent to the Outlooks email list every Monday. This mountain is not named, but its name is not important. So whats up with that? When a storm threatened their boat, Jesus asked, Where is your faith? (8:25). Herod said, John I beheaded, but who is this, about whom I hear such things? He sought to see him (vv. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. Ancient leaders of Israel appearing before their very eyes. The fireworks have ended. Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Peters hasty and ill-conceived words provoke a divine response, from God the Father Himself. Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:1-17). The transfiguration of Jesus offers a glimpse of the Trinity, as well as a wild display of Gods glory and confirmation of who Christ is. What were Peter, John, and James thinking about this stunning scene before them? Though its hard for us to grasp what happened here when Moses and Elijah appeared, to see them would have been sort of a pledge to the disciples of their own immortality. WebMatthew Henry Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - . Though this story in Luke 9 is quite unusual, even strange, it is a story that builds hope in us. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Peter will also link the Moses prophecy with Jesus in a sermon shortly after Pentecost (Acts 3:22). 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. 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. 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. My Name Is _____ stick-on name badges. In the Transfiguration, the human shares in divine glory. 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. Its real. Peter is an action-man! They will fail to understand Jesus warning about his betrayal (9:43-45). Lazarus is described as having fallen asleep. The cloud was gone, Moses and Elijah vanished, and Jesus was left alone with his disciples. (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. 1. There is a sermon in these few words. But the disciples could have had no such visual associations with either Moses or Elijah. 41Jesus answered, Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? And likewise, we can have greater assurance that the words of the NT are from firsthand eyewitnesses. An analogy might be coming into contact with a live high-voltage electrical line. ; 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]. And he endured human suffering just like we did. It is as if they have been presented, suddenly and without warning, with their final Examtheir Really Final Exam. "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. Later, at Jesus ascension, a cloud will take Jesus out of their sight (Acts 1:9also written by Luke). WebWhat does Luke 9:28-36 mean? Second, how could these disciples walk away from this event and yet, as verse 36 informs us, tell no one what they saw and experienced? They are amazed at what they see. What is it thats so apparent about those whove been in the presence of God? These ancient leaders of Israel had been gone for centuries. Perhaps intimidating. At the top of the mountain, they found themselves in the presence of God, who testified to the divine status of his son, Jesus. Our Lord Jesus, even in his transfiguration, was willing to speak concerning his death and sufferings. In the Transfiguration, the earthly Jesus shares for a moment the company of two great and worthy residents of heaven, Moses and Elijah. Lectionary Reflections Luke 9:28-36 February 10, 2013. When the voice came, Jesus was found alone (v. 36a). Those words, aimed at the disciples, but probably most directly at Peter, are just as relevant to men and women today as they were then. A resource for the whole church from Luther Seminary. (6) So that his disciples do not stumble at his debasing himself in his flesh, he teaches them that it is voluntary, showing in addition for a moment the brightness of his glory. WebLuke 9:28-36. In the preceding section, Jesus was with the larger group of disciples. Jesus glorified like the sun. 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 Gods beloved Son. For now, let it suffice that something heavenly is happening. Master, it is good for us to be here. We know from Matthews and Marks Gospels Jesus told them to tell no one until after the resurrection. 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. Like my elder years ago, wed likely come back refreshed and renewed and revived in the Spirit. 40I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they couldnt.. They are afraid. A rather literal translation would be that the disciples were weighed down with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory.. First Reading Commentary on Exodus 34:29-35 Moses countenance glows daystar in my heart appear., Visit, then, this soul of mine; God promises that the day will come when his glory will fill all the earth (Numbers 14:21). That chapter is all about the resurrection. As we might expect, the glory of Yahweh filled the tabernacle and the temple (Exodus 40:34; 1 Kings 8:11). The voice from the cloud speaks only of Jesusnot of Moses or Elijahand does so only after Moses and Elijah depart. 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. They promise us health, wealth, and happiness, but seldom live up to their promises and often lead people toward ruin. The prophecy of the Old Testament is realized in the presence of Moses and Elijah. The Gospel of John in particular speaks of the cross as Christs glorification (John 12:23; 13:31-32). they saw his glory and heard the voice of God. 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. And the people should listen to him. 29 As he was praying, Lukes disclosure concerning the conversation is highly significant for his account. The glory was there. On this mountain the subject (has been) death (Craddock, Interpretation, 135). In the Bible, mountains are synonymous with the majesty and dominion of God. I am come unto Mine own and Mine own receive Me not; I am become a stranger unto My brethren, an alien to My mother's children: Consider Mine enemies, for they are many, and they hate Me with cruel hatred. This post is excerpted from The Testimony of Luke, by S. Kent Brown, 472-482. Listen to him! There is a sermon in these words. 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. 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. A week ago, I was reading in 1 Corinthians 15 in my daily morning reading. Through the eyes of faith, we now see that the story of Jesus transfiguration is the story of a new covenant being established in Jesus Christ, a covenant that will be symbolized for all time, not by booths, but by the Cross of Calvary. Often when someone dies they are said to have fallen asleep. All his teachings about love for God and for our fellow human beings are to be observed. Instead we are told only that they discussed his departure. Thats why they were there. Accounts of Moses as having gone to heaven are not in the Old Testament itself, but in Jewish tradition (Josephus, Ant, 4.326). 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. These convulsions demonstrate graphically the problem that the father has described. This is not an issue of cowardice. Mark, the shortest Gospel, gives the most complete account of this exorcism. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father (v. 42b). Then He called His twelve disciples together 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. To see Gods glory provokes an intense response. Perhaps because Israel is the people of the Law and the Prophets, and Moses was the great lawgiver, and Elijah the great prophet. Both of those portions of the Scriptures point ultimately to Jesus. There is the voice from heaven, declaring that Jesus is Gods Son, recalling the same declaration at his baptism (3:22), followed by the saying that the disciples are to listen to Jesus (9:35). But, as one particular candidate came into the room, the whole ambiance of the room changed. The first step to such a prayer is stillness and silence, or what should have been Peters response on the mountain. GET YOUR FOUR FREE SAMPLES! Perhaps an analogy to explain this is that to see a bolt of lightning strike the earth a mile away and to hear the rumbling thunder is one experience. We see Moses and Elijah, and we are strengthened to know there is life after the grave. To me, its one of the more remarkable biological events. The disciples are terrified because they understand the cloud as the presence of God. 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. 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. The glory of the Lord was revealed at his birth (Luke 2:9). When Peter came to his senses and realized the significance of the moment, he said. But how could anyone be drowsy, even briefly, when such a spectacle was right in front of them? In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. scatter all my unbelief; 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. Luke 9:28-36 Commentary. Out of the group of 12 disciples, these three were ones Jesus focused even more on. And for the worshiping congregation, Lent begins on the following Wednesday. You shall listen to him (Deuteronomy 18:15). We think it would be a cool experience to see God, perhaps like meeting a famous athlete or musician. This moment had a huge impact on his faith, strengthening his confidence that Jesus truly was the Christ sent from heaven. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!. They will stand at a distance while Jesus was crucified (23:49). ), The Lectionary Commentary: Theological Exegesis for Sundays Text. Having both of them appear on the Mount of Transfiguration seems to be a neat way of coalescing the whole Old Testament into Jesus ministry. This is at the heart of our Christian faith. They are happy to see Jesus glorified. 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. Its not easy to do. 29. We see that yet today. However, I think they must go together. 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. 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. To me it defies explanation. 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. 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. 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? 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah. 1-6. In the Bible, when a story takes us up to a The moment is over! We listen to so many voices today, all of which seem wise and attractivepundits, columnists, commentators, political analysts, religious gurus, celebrities, tempters, seducers. First Reading. 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. 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! 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