The Glory of Christ Unveiled. Luke 9:28-36.
Pastor Nam Park.
Transfiguration: meaning that "something changed."
It establishes once and for all who Jesus is, in the shadow of what he is to accomplish.
Luke 9:28 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. 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. 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. 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!” 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.
Lord, help us to appreciate who He is. Not just the Lamb that would take away our sins... but the true and definite Son of God, God very God; come to die, so that we might have our sins forgiven.
Help us to drink deeply and be satisfied in the goodness of our Savior... Amen.
In this text, we are in the shadow of the imminent death of Jesus Christ.
Previously, events that deal with life.
- Lord over the storms/nature.
- Lord over the spirits. Demons.
- Lord over sickness and death. Jairus' Daughter. The bleeding woman.
- Feeding the 5k. Creation of food. Demonstrating mastery over matter.
In the midst of these teachings, Jesus reveals the specific death.
A turn in Jesus' ministry as He heads to Jerusalem.
Luke 9:22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”
Then, v.28 the Lord allows the transfiguration to happen.
Taking Peter, John, and James... Jesus goes to Pray.
Prayer is a common element of Jesus' ministry. Things happen after/during times that Jesus is found praying. Praying to the Father, probably of the things to come. Pouring out His concerns of dying for millions of sinners; the weight of having to lay His life down for sinners.
Luke 9:29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.
- "appearance of His face became different": changed.
- shone: on fire, more than just "shining".
- exceedingly white: as no launderer on earth can launder them.
- "gleaming": like a flash of lightning.
Sometimes we think of His glory as mundane... We've diminished it; the magic is gone.
Jesus is something greater than any human teacher or any religious leader.
The timing of the transfiguration would mingle with events and the person of Christ and leave a lasting mark on us.
Luke 9:30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah
- Why Moses and Elijah? The great law giver, the great prophet?
- Moses: Most likely b/c he's the founder of Israel's religious economy.
- Elijah: Did great things to restore Israel back to the Israel of genuine faith.
Malachi 4:5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”
These two (Moses and Elijah) aim the hope Israel back to the Christ.
Deuteronomy 18:15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.
- The rabbi's think Moses will return.
Luke 9:31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
- Talking about Jesus' "departure"... aka "exodus" or conclusion of His earthly ministry.
- "accomplish": the term for "fulfill". Jesus is not just finishing, but fulfills all of the Father's plans.
Peter, James, and John fell asleep often while Jesus prayed.
Keep in mind that Jesus had a strange discipline of prayer.
He would find a solitary place to pray after a long day of ministry.
Peter: This is good, Lord! We can build you all huts!
- In some degree, he is babbling.
- Missing the significance of the moment. The significance: Jesus' glory is unveiled for a moment. This is a Martha/Mary moment in which Peter should have just worshipped.
- Jesus isn't some celebrity. He is the Lamb of God.
New believers might ask: How is the death of one man sufficient for the sins of many?
A: It's the value of His life. He is the Lamb of God.
Subtle rebuke to Peter.
Luke 9:34 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!” 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.
- cloud: associated with the near presence of God.
- "they were afraid": that's an appropriate reaction. We love that our Lord is great, but we forget how dangerous that is too.
- a clear rebuke, to Peter: "listen to Him"
The transfiguration wasn't a public event. It was something to be reflected upon.
It's not just about the gift of salvation, but it's about the Giver. Esteem the Giver.
You can't have affection for someone you don't know. Jesus Christ is the glory of the God, who laid down His life; so that His righteousness becomes yours. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the chosen one; laid down His life, once and for all. For us.
