THE TRANSFIGURATION

Luke 9:28–56 KJV 1900

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 as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying. Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

luke 9:

THE TRANSFIGURATION

As Peter, James, and John were with Jesus, they saw Him transfigured. One who prays will see his own life changed by the power of God. Also, He will prepare us for the tasks we must fulfill. Without prayer, we are useless and helpless.

As Peter, James, and John were with Jesus, they saw Him transfigured. One who prays will see his own life changed by the power of God. Also, He will prepare us for the tasks we must fulfill. Without prayer, we are useless and helpless.

I. CHANGE

1. Seeking—v. 28. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to the mountain to pray.

Luke 9:28 KJV 1900

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.

luke

2. Supernatural—vv. 29–31. As He prays, He is transfigured. Moses and Elijah appear: Moses—law; Elijah—prophets.

Luke 9:29–31 KJV 1900

And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

luke 9:9

3. Sleeping—v. 32. The disciples, asleep, now awaken!

Luke 9:32 KJV 1900

But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

4. Selfishness—v. 33. Peter wants to stay there. God gives us His blessings to share with others!

Luke 9:33 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

luke 9:33

5. Satisfaction—vv. 34–35. God is pleased with His Son.

Luke 9:34–35 KJV 1900

While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

II. CONTROL

1. People—v. 37. Many people meet them as they come down.

Luke 9:37 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.

2. Problem—vv. 38–39. A man possessed with a demon needs help, deliverance.

Luke 9:38–39 KJV 1900

And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

luke 9:38

3. Powerless—v. 40. The disciples had been unable to cast out the demon. They were helpless and powerless.

Luke 9:40 KJV 1900

And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.

4. Power—vv. 41–43. Jesus casts out the demon. It took special power to do this.

Luke 9:41–43 KJV 1900

And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

III. CHILDLIKE

1. Prophecy—vv. 44–45. Christ speaks of His death. The disciples do not seem to understand.

Luke 9:44–45 KJV 1900

Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

2. Pride—vv. 46–48. Selfish pride is shown. Jesus takes a child as an example of true greatness.

Luke 9:46–48 KJV 1900

Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

3. Personality—vv. 49–50. At times people may not agree on minor points, but if it means advancing the kingdom of God, cooperate and don’t oppose.

Luke 9:49–50 KJV 1900

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

luke

IV. CONVERSION—vv. 51–56

1. Preparation—vv. 51–52. Messengers go ahead into Samaria to prepare people for Christ’s coming.

2. Problem—v. 53. The people do not accept Him.

3. Patience—v. 54. James and John are ready to call fire from heaven to destroy them. They have no patience.

4. Pardon—vv. 55–56. Christ rebukes them. He hadn’t come to destroy lives—He came to save lives.

Christ had an answer in every situation. He had the right parable, or example, to teach man in the proper ways. Yet, many refused to accept Him as the Messiah. We might say that they didn’t want to accept Him as the Messiah because it would demand a change in their mode of living.