Day 43

Luke 9:28–36 (NIV)

²⁸ About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. ²⁹ As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. ³⁰ Two men, Moses and Elijah, ³¹ appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.

³² Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. ³³ As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

³⁴ While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” ³⁶ When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

What could Jesus have been praying for that would cause this scene?

What was wrong with Peter’s reaction to what he saw? How do we also keep from focusing on the wrong things, no matter how great they may be?

Who was God speaking to from the cloud and why?

Why can it be hard to listen to Jesus?

Notes

Again notice the three disciples Jesus chooses to take. Also notice it is always Peter who speaks.

The focus of prayer is again big in Luke. Is Jesus praying about the very thing that he is preparing for (vs 30b, 35) and this is God's answer to him? Are Moses and Elijah there for Jesus comfort and assurance? Is the voice of God which speaks to the disciples used as an answer to Jesus' prayer for them? For the disciples to listen as he has been telling them for so long? Was it to prepare these leader disciples for the coming events as well?

vs 29 this reflects back to Exodus where God's glory shone on Moses (Ex 34:29-30) Idea of God presence revealed completely, not just face but clothes as well.

Why Moses and Elijah-

· Two unusual departures from the world, (Deut 34:6 God buried Moses, and 2 Kings 2:11 Elijah goes to heaven without dying)

· Two involved with prophesy of coming Christ (Deut 18:15 for Moses, Mal 4:5-6 for Elijah)

· Two represent how God had spoken in the past Moses=Law, Elijah=Prophets

vs 30- Two talk to Jesus about his exodus (word for departure) and His fulfilling his mission in Jerusalem- His death and resurrection. Are they giving Him encouragement as Jesus faces this hard task (Luke 22:41-43)

vs 32 Peter wants to set up shelters as a way to get them to stay. Peter wanted the moment to last, wouldn't I? The comment at the end about Peter not knowing what he was saying is true. Peter concentrating on the moment not at what the scene was about. The important moment was not this scene but what was to come! (that is why Moses and Elijah are there)

As if the scene of Moses and Elijah wasn't enough now God appears in cloud. (Ex 16:10, 19:9, 33:9-11) This time the message isn't for Jesus it is for the disciples. (sort like Baptism scene in Luke 3:21-22) Reaffirming what they believe about Jesus just 8 days before. (9:20) But this message from God is more about them listening to Jesus. Think how many times Jesus has said that in his parables! What does that say for me?

Vs 36- not the time to tell it (must have been hard) it would put the focus on the wrong thing just like Peter wanted to do in the story