Lesson 29, Luke 9:28-49 The Transfiguration.

A Time to Pray 9:28- 31

English Standard Version (Chapter 9)

28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.

30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

This experience with Jesus and three of His disciples can be a challenge for us to explain. Eight days after the discussion about discipleship and the cost of it all, we are now treated to an entirely different scenario as they went to the mountain to pray. Mount Hermon is probably the one it is referring. A Roman fortress was on Mount Tabor, the only other one in the area. There are no crowds as there is just this small group who arrives at the top. A little more than a week would be needed by most people to comprehend that their leader will die, but for now we are going to see something new. This is much more note worthy. Luke is the only one to record that they are going to “pray.”

“As He was praying,” shows us that it was Jesus doing the praying and the three, Peter, John, and James were the “take-a-longs.” While in their sight, the appearance of His face changed or altered in some way, and His clothing started gleaming like lightening! Boom. In this highly transformative state, Moses and Elijah showed up. My question is “how did they know who it was?” I am saying that if His prayer time can change things that much, Jesus, could easily give the three disciples instant knowledge of who is with Him. Moses was there representing the Law and Ezekiel was there representing the prophets.

There is not much need for introductions at this point of spectacular happenings. These two blasts from out of the past are talking with Jesus Christ! Wow, and no one had a cell phone to record what they looked like. It says they appeared in glory or the splendor and brightness of God’s presence. And why not? Are they not talking with the commander in Chief of heaven’s host? This has the same impact of stepping into the throne room of God unawares. They discussion is eternal stuff and also limited in time. The plan is eternal and the carrying out is limited. They are having a staff meeting about Jesus’s departure from Earth which is going to occur in Jerusalem. Peter, James, and John are getting an all important session on how and when the death of the Savior is going to happen. His departure is at hand. But if you leave with a departure time, then the next thing we think about is His arrival. He is coming back!

But first things first. Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. Perhaps a lot of the discussion was over their heads at this point as it took the cross and the empty tomb for all of this to shape their opinions and passions for the future. Is this indeed heavy stuff? Yes very much so. Luke does not call this the Mount of Transfiguration as do the other gospels. But we do know from the passage that this is one and the same. Hang on!

The Chosen One 9:32-36

English Standard Version (Chapter 9)

32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

Transfiguration is the Greek word from where we get our word “metamorphosis.” The change was real. We can’t help but feel a little sorry for Peter kind of saying something totally off the wall. Of course the three were a bit sleepy so saying the first thing that came to Peters mind was that the visitors, Moses and Elijah were going to need shelter to sleep for the night. The reality is that they are not making an overnight appearance. Peter could have also been referring to the feast of Tabernacles. But that was not the plan either. The heavenly visitors are going to be leaving in a glory cloud ( v.34.) So, listen up!

The cloud did come and it sufficiently scared them as they entered the cloud. So, embarrassed about saying the wrong thing or not, Peter and the other two were there on the mount and no other people were there, not even us. Upon entering the cloud they heard the voice of God, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to Him!” At the sound of God’s voice, the appearance of Moses and Elijah disappeared. But Jesus was still there. Just think. They had to or at least it sufficiently rocked their world that they uttered not a word about what had gone on in their supposedly time of prayer. It was so much more.

Coming down from the Mountain They are Challenged by the Crowd 9:37- 43

37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. 40 And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41 Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Luke 9:37–43.

The next day, meaning they spent the night on the mountain, Jesus and the three are confronted with a man crying out “Teacher!”

This one man out of the crowd gets his message across to Jesus. He had begged the disciples to help but they could not. The nine who had been left down at the bottom of the mountain were there for ministry. Bu this one man had had a difficult son. The explanation was this: a spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams. Then he convulses with foam and the spirit batters him. The dad had a handle on the diagnosis but an unbelieving and perverted generation had blocked the disciples from doing their job.

As the man brought his son to Jesus, the demon threw him down into convulsions. But Jesus,…those are great words. If it were not for Jesus, we would be powerless, but because of Him we are powerful. The demon was rebuked and the boy was healed. He was given back to his dad. Case closed for the demon, and a new life for the boy and his dad. The impressiveness of God is built upon the word that starts with “mega.” In other words, it’s big. There is great splendor, grandeur, and prominence when Jesus enters the picture! Yes, this is impressive and majestic, just as things are done in the courts of heaven. The Lord jesus Christ is still in the business of doing some impressive things in your life, in spite of the sin and unbelief of this generation. “Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world.”

Perhaps we need to take note that this all came about when Jesus and His men went up the mountain to pray. Wherever He leads us, let’s be praying to the goal of victory as we ready ourselves for the business of ministry in an unbelieving and perverted generation. Let them bring these people who need help to us, and let us be ready to give them all that Jesus has to offer.