Unit: Luke
Theme: Surprise!
Lesson Text: Luke 9:28-36
Supplemental Text: Luke 3:21-22; Revelation 1:10-18; 5:6-14; James 1:19, 22-25
Aim: Let the Let God’s unexpected transfiguration of Jesus move you to listen to Jesus.
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Download a PDF of this week’s lesson material (the Study by Mark Scott, Application by David Faust, and Discovery Questions by Michael C. Mack): LOOKOUT_Dec12_2021.
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By Mark Scott
God spoke audibly from heaven only three times during Jesus’ earthly ministry—after his baptism (Luke 3:22), at his transfiguration (this text), and during the week of his crucifixion (John 12:28). For a God who is used to speaking (cf. Psalm 29), these times are incredibly rare. Perhaps their rarity underlines their importance.
A short time after the third Passover during Jesus’ ministry (which he missed due to having his own meal in the wilderness, Luke 9:10-17), Jesus questioned his disciples about his identity (Luke 9:18-21). Peter voiced the correct answer, “You are God’s Messiah.” Jesus immediately gave the first of three “clear” predictions about the cross and then taught them what cross-bearing was all about. About eight days later (Matthew and Mark say “after six days”) Jesus experienced his transfiguration. This took place on a high mountain (Mount Tabor, Mount Meron, and Mount Hermon have been suggested).
Witnessing Glory
Luke 9:28-29
Israelites were not unaccustomed to seeing the glory of God (Genesis 28:10-17; Exodus 40:34-38; 1 Kings 8:10-11; 2 Kings 2:11-12; Isaiah 6:1-4). But this event astonished Peter, James, and John. Luke said the purpose of going to this mountain was to pray. Luke is ever the Gospel of prayer so we should not be surprised (Luke 5:16).
During this prayer, Jesus was transfigured (Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2 used this word from which we get the English word metamorphosis—i.e., a change in form). Luke did not use this word, but he described what happened. Jesus’ face and clothing experienced a dramatic change. Matthew said “his face shone like the sun” (17:2). His clothes in particular became as bright as a flash of lightning. Mark said no one on earth could bleach them this white (9:3). The three disciples concluded they were experiencing some kind of theophany (i.e., God encounter) though they seemed clueless about what it meant.
Eclipsed Glory
Luke 9:30-33
There is glory, and then there is glory. Moses had witnessed glory (Exodus 3:1-6; 33:7-11; 2 Corinthians 3:7-11). Elijah was taken up in glory (2 Kings 2:9-12). But Jesus was the embodiment of the glory of God (John 1:14). His glory eclipsed that of the great lawgiver and of the great prophet. Moses’ life and Elijah’s life paralleled Jesus’ life and ministry in many ways (not the least of which were experiences on mountains and with miracles—Exodus 19:16-28; 1 Kings 18:20-40).
How the disciples knew the figures with Jesus were Moses and Elijah was not shared. Were introductions made? Name tags? But we do know the content of the conversation. They spoke about his departure (exodus), which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. We might assume from this that Moses and Elijah admitted the reality of the cross but also encouraged Jesus with regard to the resurrection and his exaltation to the Father’s right hand.
This was all so overwhelming to the disciples. Their sleep deprivation was noted. Few of us make much sense when we are sleepy, and Peter was no exception. As Moses and Elijah began to leave, Peter acknowledged the moment (it is good for us to be here) and then suggested they build three shelters (tents or booths) to extend the visionary experience. Maybe having seen Moses and Elijah caused Peter to think of the wilderness (after all, both men knew something about living in the wilderness) and he fast-forwarded to the Feast of Tabernacles, which lay in the distant future. Luke parenthically added, He did not know what he was saying. The disciples had to learn what we need to learn—i.e., Jesus’ glory will not be eclipsed by anyone else’s glory, even that of Moses and Elijah.
Concealed Glory
Luke 9:34-36
Jesus put the glory of God back in a box for the present. The cloud (mentioned three times) concealed the glory for the time being. Jesus and the disciples would come off the mountain of glory and head back into the valley of despair. As Warren Wiersbe said, “Another father needed Jesus now.”
God, who used mountains and clouds in Scripture as means of revelation, spoke words of endearment (my Son), words of election (whom I have chosen), and words of admonition (listen to him). The word listen makes one think of God calling Israel to worship (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). This was a preview of coming attractions (resurrection, ascension, and exaltation). Some thought God’s voice thundered the next time it was heard from heaven (John 12:29). Hear that same voice on this, the third Sunday of Advent.
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