Jesus: The Transfiguration

Changes

It has been said, “the only constant is change.” And if you reflect on your life it has been full of changes, as was Jesus:

From child born of Mary

To son of the carpenter

To declared the Lamb of God

To . . . . a brilliant change, a metamorphosis, a transfiguration that we will see today.

(Transition) God is in the change business. He takes and transforms people from who they were to who He created them to be. Jesus is about to reveal the nature of His being as we look at this passage today.

Our passage for today

Luke 9:28–29 NASB95

28 Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.

Luke 9:30–31 NASB95

30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, 31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

Luke 9:32–33 NASB95

32 Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. 33 And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not realizing what he was saying.

Luke 9:34–35 NASB95

34 While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”

Luke 9:36 NASB95

36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

What stands out to you in this passage?

When did Jesus take Peter, John, and James up on the mountain (v.28)?

Eight days after these sayings

So, when is this, eight days after their call to faith, the cost of discipleship, and the promise of the kingdom (vv.18-27)

What was Jesus doing when He changed, became different (v.29)?

He was praying

What were Moses and Elijah speaking to Jesus about (vv.30-31)?

About what He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem

What did Peter and his companions wake up to see (v.32)?

They saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.

As Moses and Elijah were leaving what did Peter say (v.33)?

Let us make three tabernacles, notice it also says He did not realize what he was saying.

From out of the cloud, what did they hear (vv.34-35)?

This is My Son, My chosen One: listen to Him!

What did Peter, John, and James do (v.36)?

They kept silent

At least then they did, they did, for later both Peter and John will recount this day.

The Transfiguration

Luke 9:28–29 NKJV

28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.

This transpires when Jesus was praying on the mountain.

There are a few views on what mountain, we normally call it the mount of transfiguration. Oregen claims in his writings it was Mt. Tabor (west of Galilee) , others state it is Mt. Hermon (North of Caesarea Philippi) the place where the confession of faith was given.

We have seen great things happen when Jesus prayed. He was given direction by the Father on His Apostles. A few fish and a couple of loaves were multiplied to feed 5000.

Jesus appearance changed not just his face but his being to being a brilliant radiance of light.

“For this brief time, Jesus took on the appearance more appropriate for the King of Glory than for a humble man.” (Guzik)

Jesus had just told them about His suffering and the cost of discipleship, suffering, and now this happens, the glory, His transfigured radiance showed that He is the King of Glory and they will share in the glory.

“Jesus showed in an acted-out way that the cross bearers would be glory receivers. The end isn’t the cross; the end is the glory of God.” (Courson)

Appearance of Moses and Elijah

Luke 9:30–31 NKJV

30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

Moses, why Moses? - he can represent one who died and went to glory. He can also be the one who represents the Law.

Elijah - He can be one who was caught up to glory without death, and that he represents the prophets.

Moses, Elijah speaking to Jesus about what was to come for Him. He was going to go into glory, after He suffered.

He told the apostles He was going to suffer (Lk9:22). It was through His death that He would return to His divine glory.

A heavy sleep

Luke 9:32 NKJV

32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.

Peter, John, and James were in heavy sleep.

When they were “fully” awake they saw His glory, and Moses, and Elijah.

Did the Father, or the Lord cause the “deep” sleep like has happen before? It could be.

What we can conclude is that they were not awake for the entire conversation between Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.

“It is very probable that, on this occasion, He had been engaged in earnest prayer for several hours before the transfiguration came, and it is worthy of note that he was transfigured while he was praying. Every blessing comes to the great head of the Church, and to all the members of his body, through prayer.” (Spurgeon)

Wiersbe said “regarding heavy with sleep, by analogy we note that spiritual sleep keeps many from seeing or experiencing the glory of God.”

It was not as if the glory was not in the Son all the time, but now the glory was revealed to them, when they were “fully awake,” that saw it.

Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were not in the spirit for scripture tells us they stood with Him.

(Transition) so we have them waking from a deep sleep, seeing the glory of Jesus revealed to them along with the figureheads of the Law and the Prophets, so now what?

Peter’s good words

Luke 9:33 NKJV

33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.

Peter in his wisdom believed what he suggested was good. Does it seem good?

Of course on face value it does seem good, but. . .

This puts Moses and Elijah on the same plain as Jesus, and they are not.

This puts James, John, and Peter to stay in the presence of the glory and not share with others.

This is the desire for the glory without the suffering.

Though we should take notice that it says “not realizing what he said.”

Peter had good thought, good words, but did not realize what those words would do.

Can we say things without thinking it through, not considering the ramifications of our words?

Over-shadowed, over-heard

Luke 9:34–35 NKJV

34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

Overshadowed by the cloud, the veil of God’s glory (Shekinah).

From the glory spoke the Father and the words brought fear to Peter, John, and James.

From excitement to build tabernacles to stay in the presence of the glory, to now filled with awe, reverential fear .

“Peter may not have known what he said, but he knew what he saw - the cloud of glory was read, and he was wide-awake when he and the apostles saw it.” (Guzik)

It is when we are fully awake, have eyes to see, ears to hear that the glory of the Lord is revealed to us through the sacrifice of the Son and what is available to us when we accept the sacrifice.

The voice from the glory spoke and there was no doubt Jesus was to be heard. Heard for obedience.

This without a doubt took Jesus being consider on the same plain as Moses and Elijah to a different one in the eyes of the Father

“Peter may not have not know what he said, but he knew what he heard. The voice from heaven was real, and he was wide-awake when the apostles heard it.” (Guzik)

Found alone

Luke 9:36 NKJV

36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

Jesus was found alone, it was not about the Law and the Prophets, it was about Him who fulfilled the Law.

God made it impossible for the apostles to focus on anyone but Jesus any longer.

For Jesus deserves all the attention for He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. It is not by the Law we are saved, it is by Jesus.

They kept quiet, and reported to no one what they saw, what they heard.

Who would have believed them anyways.

They did not forget for Peter told the story (2Pt1:16-18); John referred (Jn1:14; 1Jn1:2)

(Conclusion)

While this would be life altering to them, this was nothing compared to what was to come to be born again, for that is the greatest glory of God that is able to be seen daily. In a transformed, life of a believer.