Revealing Christ's Glory: The Transfiguration Explained

 

Summary

In our exploration of the Gospel according to Luke, we delve into the profound event of the Transfiguration of Jesus. This moment, recorded in Luke 9:27-36, is a pivotal revelation of Christ's divine nature. Jesus, accompanied by Peter, John, and James, ascends a mountain to pray. During this time, His appearance is transformed, and His face shines with divine glory, a radiance not reflected but emanating from His very being. This is a stark contrast to Moses' experience on Mount Sinai, where his face shone by reflecting God's glory. Here, Jesus' glory is intrinsic, a testament to His divine identity as the Son of God.

The presence of Moses and Elijah during the Transfiguration is significant. Moses represents the Law, and Elijah the Prophets, both bearing witness to Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises. This event underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan through history, culminating in Jesus. The voice from the cloud, declaring, "This is my beloved Son, hear Him," affirms Jesus' divine sonship and authority, urging us to heed His words.

Peter's reaction, wanting to build tabernacles for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, reflects a human desire to capture and prolong spiritual experiences. Yet, the divine voice redirects focus to listening to Jesus, emphasizing the importance of His mission and teachings over the desire to remain in moments of spiritual ecstasy.

The Transfiguration is a foretaste of the glory that awaits believers. It reassures us of the divine nature of Christ and the promise of sharing in His glory. As we reflect on this event, we are reminded of the call to listen to Jesus, to embrace His teachings, and to live in anticipation of the eternal glory that is to come.

Key Takeaways:

- The Transfiguration reveals the intrinsic divine glory of Jesus, distinct from the reflected glory seen in Moses. This event underscores Jesus' identity as the Son of God, whose glory is not borrowed but inherent. It invites us to recognize and worship Him as the divine Savior. [14:06]

- The presence of Moses and Elijah signifies the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets in Jesus. Their appearance during the Transfiguration highlights the continuity and culmination of God's redemptive plan through Christ, urging us to see Jesus as the fulfillment of all Scripture. [17:52]

- The divine voice instructs us to "hear Him," emphasizing the importance of Jesus' teachings. This call to listen is a reminder that spiritual experiences, while significant, should lead us to deeper obedience and understanding of Christ's mission. [22:01]

- Peter's desire to build tabernacles reflects a human tendency to cling to spiritual highs. However, the Transfiguration teaches us that true discipleship involves moving beyond the mountaintop experiences to follow Jesus in everyday life, embracing His call and mission. [20:27]

- The Transfiguration offers a glimpse of the glory that awaits believers. It reassures us of the promise of sharing in Christ's glory, encouraging us to live with hope and anticipation of the eternal life to come, where we will behold His glory forever. [24:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Introduction to Luke 9:27-36
- [00:35] - Jesus Takes Disciples to Pray
- [00:49] - The Transfiguration Begins
- [01:13] - Peter's Reaction
- [01:39] - The Divine Voice
- [02:06] - The Significance of the Transfiguration
- [03:11] - Personal Reflections on Preaching
- [04:15] - Understanding Jesus' Prophecy
- [06:30] - The Event of Transfiguration
- [07:52] - Witnessing Divine Glory
- [09:07] - The Metamorphosis of Jesus
- [10:21] - Moses' Shining Face
- [13:47] - Jesus' Intrinsic Glory
- [17:37] - Moses and Elijah's Presence
- [22:01] - The Call to Hear Jesus
- [24:02] - The Promise of Future Glory

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Transfiguration of Jesus

Bible Reading:
- Luke 9:27-36

Observation Questions:
1. What significant event does Luke 9:27-36 describe, and who were the key figures present during this event? [00:35]
2. How is the transformation of Jesus' appearance described in the passage, and what does this signify about His nature? [00:49]
3. What was Peter's initial reaction to witnessing the Transfiguration, and what does this reveal about his understanding at that moment? [01:13]
4. What did the voice from the cloud declare, and why is this declaration important for understanding Jesus' identity and mission? [01:39]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the presence of Moses and Elijah during the Transfiguration highlight the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets in Jesus? [17:52]
2. In what ways does the Transfiguration serve as a foretaste of the glory that awaits believers, and how does this impact our understanding of eternal life? [24:02]
3. Why might Peter have wanted to build tabernacles for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, and what does this suggest about human tendencies in spiritual experiences? [20:27]
4. How does the divine instruction to "hear Him" emphasize the importance of Jesus' teachings over the desire for spiritual experiences? [22:01]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "mountaintop" spiritual moment. How did it impact your faith journey, and how can you carry that experience into your daily life? [20:27]
2. The Transfiguration reveals Jesus' intrinsic divine glory. How can this understanding of Jesus' nature influence the way you worship and relate to Him? [14:06]
3. Consider the significance of Moses and Elijah's presence during the Transfiguration. How does recognizing Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets affect your view of the Old Testament? [17:52]
4. The voice from the cloud instructed the disciples to "hear Him." What steps can you take to prioritize listening to Jesus' teachings in your life? [22:01]
5. How can the promise of sharing in Christ's glory encourage you to live with hope and anticipation of eternal life? What practical changes can you make to align your life with this hope? [24:02]
6. Peter's desire to build tabernacles reflects a tendency to cling to spiritual highs. How can you balance the desire for spiritual experiences with the call to follow Jesus in everyday life? [20:27]
7. In what ways can you actively seek to understand and embrace Jesus' mission, as emphasized by the divine voice during the Transfiguration? [22:01]

Devotional

Day 1: The Intrinsic Glory of Jesus
The Transfiguration of Jesus is a profound revelation of His divine nature, distinct from the reflected glory seen in Moses. Unlike Moses, whose face shone by reflecting God's glory, Jesus' glory is intrinsic, emanating from His very being. This event underscores Jesus' identity as the Son of God, whose glory is not borrowed but inherent. It invites us to recognize and worship Him as the divine Savior. The Transfiguration serves as a powerful reminder of the divine nature of Christ, calling us to acknowledge His unique position as the Son of God and to respond in worship and adoration. [14:06]

2 Peter 1:16-17 (ESV): "For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally recognize and honor the intrinsic glory of Jesus in your daily life today?


Day 2: Fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets
The presence of Moses and Elijah during the Transfiguration signifies the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets in Jesus. Moses represents the Law, and Elijah the Prophets, both bearing witness to Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises. This event highlights the continuity and culmination of God's redemptive plan through Christ, urging us to see Jesus as the fulfillment of all Scripture. It is a powerful reminder that Jesus is the central figure in God's plan of salvation, and we are called to see Him as the fulfillment of all that was promised in the Scriptures. [17:52]

Matthew 5:17-18 (ESV): "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."

Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets change the way you read and apply Scripture in your life today?


Day 3: The Call to Hear Jesus
The divine voice during the Transfiguration instructs us to "hear Him," emphasizing the importance of Jesus' teachings. This call to listen is a reminder that spiritual experiences, while significant, should lead us to deeper obedience and understanding of Christ's mission. The voice from the cloud, declaring, "This is my beloved Son, hear Him," affirms Jesus' divine sonship and authority, urging us to heed His words. It is a call to prioritize His teachings and to allow them to shape our lives and decisions. [22:01]

Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV): "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."

Reflection: What specific teaching of Jesus do you need to focus on and apply in your life today? How can you actively listen to His voice in your daily routine?


Day 4: Moving Beyond Spiritual Highs
Peter's desire to build tabernacles during the Transfiguration reflects a human tendency to cling to spiritual highs. However, the Transfiguration teaches us that true discipleship involves moving beyond the mountaintop experiences to follow Jesus in everyday life, embracing His call and mission. While spiritual experiences are valuable, they are meant to propel us into deeper obedience and service. The divine voice redirects focus to listening to Jesus, emphasizing the importance of His mission and teachings over the desire to remain in moments of spiritual ecstasy. [20:27]

James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."

Reflection: What is one way you can move beyond a recent spiritual high to actively follow Jesus in your daily life today?


Day 5: The Promise of Future Glory
The Transfiguration offers a glimpse of the glory that awaits believers. It reassures us of the promise of sharing in Christ's glory, encouraging us to live with hope and anticipation of the eternal life to come, where we will behold His glory forever. This event serves as a foretaste of the glory that awaits believers, reminding us of the divine nature of Christ and the promise of sharing in His glory. It encourages us to live with hope and anticipation of the eternal life to come. [24:02]

Colossians 3:4 (ESV): "When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: How does the promise of sharing in Christ's future glory influence your perspective on current challenges and struggles? What can you do today to live in anticipation of this eternal promise?

Quotes


"and as he prayed the appearance of his face was altered and his robe became white and glistening and behold two men talked with him who were moses and elijah who appeared in glory and spoke of his deceits which he was about to accomplish at jerusalem but peter and those with him were heavy with sleep and when they were fully awake they saw his glory in the two men who stood with him" [00:42:32]

"and while he was saying this a cloud came and overshadowed them and they were fearful as they entered the cloud and the voice came out of the cloud saying this is my beloved son hear him when the voice had ceased jesus was found alone but they kept quiet and told no one in those days any of the things that they had seen" [00:88:56]

"this magnificent record of this moment in the earthly ministry of jesus comes to us through the inspiration and supervision of god the holy spirit who is the spirit of truth whose word cannot be broken please receive it as such let us pray and now oh lord as we once again give our attention to your word we rejoice in the full assurance we have that it will not because it cannot return unto you void" [01:16:24]

"and behold we read two men talked with him who were moses and elijah moses who represents the law elijah who stands at the head of the long line of prophets so we can say here that what happens on the mount of transfiguration is that the divine nature breaks through in the presence not only of the disciples but of the law and of the prophets of moses and elijah who had called the people's attention to the one who would come" [17:52]

"and a voice came out of the cloud saying this is my beloved son hear him only three times in the new testament are we told that god speaks audibly from the heavens you remember the first time at the baptism of jesus when the dove descended and the heavens opened and the father spoke saying this is my beloved son in whom i am well pleased now the message changes slightly the same affirmation of sonship is given this is my beloved son listen to him" [21:20]

"the eternal glory of the son of god that is hidden by the frame of his humanity bursts out and now they're seeing it on his face and on his clothes his clothes are altered as well they become white whiter than any launderer can make white that is pure without any defect without any blemish and so there as jesus is praying and peter james and john are watching this take place they see the glory of god the divine nature right before their eyes" [14:29]

"and this experience beloved left an impression on these men that they were never to forget remember how john who was there that day began his gospel in the beginning was the word and the word was with god and the word was god and he goes on through the rest of the prologue and he gets to the end of the program and he says what and the word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory of the only begotten son of god full of grace and truth" [15:14]

"later when peter writes to the church in ii peter chapter 1 he says this for we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our lord jesus christ but we were eye witnesses of his majesty for he received from god the father honor and glory when such a voice came to him from the excellent glory this is my beloved son in whom i am well pleased and we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain" [16:14]

"and while he was still speaking a cloud came was it the shekinah or an ordinary cloud luke doesn't tell us but a cloud came and overshadowed them and they were fearful as they entered the cloud which makes me think it was the shekinah and a voice came out of the cloud saying this is my beloved son hear him" [21:07]

"and when the voice had ceased jesus was found alone but they kept quiet and they didn't tell anyone in those days any of the things that they had seen later of course they couldn't stop talking about it and told everyone but for now it wasn't time for talking it was time for hearing which they did" [23:22]

"you know beloved every one of us in this room who is in christ jesus one day will see this same glory it's inherent in jesus the author of hebrews says that jesus is the brightness of god's glory and when we enter into glory and our mortal eyes are overwhelmed by the brilliance of the light which we enter and we try to peer into that light and try to find the source of that light we'll see jesus not for a moment but forever in the blinding glory of god" [23:39]

"we miss the transfiguration the first time but god willing we won't miss it the next time" [24:41]

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Transcript
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