Journey to Joy (3)

The Transfiguration

Hebrews 12:1–3 HCSB

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart.

“For the joy that lay before Him…”

From Nazareth, where Jesus was raised, to Jerusalem is about 20 miles. It would take two days perhaps? But for Jesus, the journey to Jerusalem is not just about distance.

For Jesus the journey is not just about the distance. Rather, for Jesus the journey is defined by moments of testing as at the beginning of His public teaching.

The journey was also about the twelve, the men He called to be with Him, those He would empower to carry out the purposes of God.

The journey was about preparing Hs followers for a radically different kind of kingdom than the one for which they and their fathers had longed.

Another significant stop on this journey is recorded in Luke 9.

Luke 9:1–2 HCSB

Summoning the Twelve, He gave them power and authority over all the demons, and power to heal diseases. Then He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

After these had returned Jesus invited them to a place of rest. But the crowds followed -

Luke 9:10–11 HCSB

When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus all that they had done. He took them along and withdrew privately to a town called Bethsaida. When the crowds found out, they followed Him. He welcomed them, spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and cured those who needed healing.

Still attempting to find some time to rest away from the crowds, Jesus slipped away to privately pray, surrounded by His closest disciples.

Surrounded by just those closest to Him He asked them two questions:

Luke 9:18 NLT

“Who do people say I am?”

Earlier in Luke 9 we are told that Herod, allowed to call himself king by Roman authorities, was perplexed by Jesus. Herod, and others, speculated that Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead. Others suggested that Jesus was Elijah of the OT come back to life.

The second question:

Luke 9:20 HCSB

“But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

This was intended to bring the twelve to a point of recognizing His identity.

Peter’s answer on behalf of the group: God’s Messiah.

This reveals that the disciples journey was changing. These men called by Jesus from rather ordinary jobs and lives were being transformed simply by being in the presence of Jesus.

After explaining to His followers the kind of life they were choosing to follow He again withdrew for a time of prayer.

Luke 9:28 HCSB

About eight days after these words, He took along Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.

On the southern slope of Mt Hermon overlooking the valley which included the Sea of Galilee and many of the villages where Jesus’ disciples had just preached and healed, an event occured that is important in the journey of Jesus AND those disciples.

Luke 9:29–31 HCSB

As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, two men were talking with Him—Moses and Elijah. They appeared in glory and were speaking of His death, which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Jesus was transfigured, literally transformed into the glory of His being as it had been prior to His birth in Bethlehem. His face changed, much as Moses’ face had taken on a glow from being in the presence of God during the Exodus event. His clothes were ‘dazzling white’ such as belonged to angelic beings, those who eternally surrounded the throne of God Almighty.

Moses and Elijah appeared with Him.

The subject of their conversation:

Luke 9:31 HCSB

They appeared in glory and were speaking of His death, which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Jesus’ journey was not complete. He was reminded of His assignment, talking with two men who had served God in their own era, experiencing many difficulties and dangers themselves.

As they were conversing, the disciples were asleep. In the original language they were ‘weighed down’ with sleep.

Waking from a deep sleep, Peter speaks - again on behalf of the others -

Luke 9:33 HCSB

As the two men were departing from Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it’s good for us to be here! Let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.

At this acknowledgement, the two others disappeared. A cloud engulfed them. Their fear must have been overwhelming.

Luke 9:35 HCSB

Then a voice came from the cloud, saying: This is My Son, the Chosen One; listen to Him!

After the cloud lifted and the voice had spoken, the disciples and Jesus were as they had been prior to the entire experience.

Jesus’ Journey to Joy

Jesus never expressed uncertainty about His destination as one to be crucified and raised again to life in Jerusalem.

Jesus had already told His disciples what lay ahead - Luke 9:21-22.

He would tell His disciples at least two more times prior to the final visit to Jerusalem.

There must have been some kind of encouragement for Jesus to speak face to face with two men whom God had used in such significant ways as God’s kingdom purposes were revealed.

There was certainly an encouragement for the disciples to experience such an event and to hear clearly God’s voice affirming His Son.

The Disciples’ Journey

Peter had already expressed the disciples assent to Jesus as God’s Messiah (vs 20).

The disciples had been with Jesus at least eighteen months, perhaps even longer. Having heard Jesus, having observed Him heal disease, confront the enemy, and even raise people from the dead there was still more for the disciples to learn about the nature of Jesus.

Jesus is more than a miracle worker

Yes, He is a miracle worker. But every miracle, every confrontation with the devil, even every resuscitation of a dead person were not just events to be amazed by and discussed widely.

Each of those occurences was pointing to a greater and more significant reality.

The Kingdom of God is unlike our present experience. Living in His Kingdom will be radically unlike anything those early followers or we can even understand.

Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose and plan

Peter’s confession that Jesus is ‘God’s Messiah’ and the visit of Moses and Elijah are reminders that Jesus is God’s full and complete revelation.

Through Moses and much later Elijah God made Himself known, but in Jesus not has God just made Himself known, God has come in the flesh. Not only has God spoken, God is speaking, acting, and present in fullness.

REFLECT AND RESPOND

To see Jesus ‘transfigured’ was a vision unlike anything any of those men had seen.

Not many months later these three - and others - would see Jesus in this way once again:

Luke 24:35–43 HCSB

Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. And as they were saying these things, He Himself stood among them. He said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. “Why are you troubled?” He asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Touch Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” Having said this, He showed them His hands and feet. But while they still were amazed and unbelieving because of their joy, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish, and He took it and ate in their presence.

Did you catch that phrase :

“they still were amazed and unbelieving because of their joy….”

They recognized Jesus, partly because Peter, James, and John had ALREADY SEEN HIM IN HIS PRE-EXISTENT AND NOW ETERNAL GLORY!

Just as the earliest followers were on a journey to joy, you and I are on the journey to joy!

Part of the journey requires us to confront truth.

Jesus is and always has been.

Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan.

Jesus lives today at the right hand of God the Father.

God calls us - just as He called those three - to

LISTEN TO JESUS!

What is Jesus calling you to? Where are you on this journey?

Have you taken the first step -

Acknowledging that you are a sinner in need of a Savior;

Believing that Jesus is God’s Messiah who died for your sin and was raised on the third day that you might have eternal life;

Confessing Him publicly - through baptism; through identifying with a local body of believers?

What else might Jesus be speaking? Listen to Jesus’ call:

Luke 9:23–26 HCSB

Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it. What is a man benefited if he gains the whole world, yet loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and that of the Father and the holy angels.