THE TRANSFIGURATION

The Transfiguration (Luke 9:28 – 36)

26/12/2020

The term transfiguration refers to transformation of Jesus’ body into heavenly glory.

Eight days after the great confession, Jesus took with Him Peter, John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.
As He was praying, the appearance of His countennce was altered and His clothes became dazzling white.
And behold, two men talked with Him, Moses and Elijah/ they spoke of his departure which was to be accomplished in Jerusalem.
Peter, James and John were heavy with sleep and when they awakened, they saw the glory and the two men who stood who stood with Jesus.
As the two men were parting from Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master it is well that we are here, let us make three booths, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah” not knowing what he said.
As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
And a voice came out of the cloud saying, “This is my son, my chosen, listen to Him.”
When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

Luke 9:28-36 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Transfiguration
28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.
29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.
30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.
31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.
33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.
34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.
35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”
36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

Significance of the transfiguration

Moses represented the law and this signified that Jesus’ fulfillment of the O.T law, the Law of Moses.
Elijah represented the O.T prophets signifying that Jesus was the fulfillment of O.T prophesy.
The two O.T figures talked to Jesus about his passion and death signifying that God had approved the crucifixion of Jesus.
The Voice from heaven about the person of Jesus was confirming that Jesus was fulfilling the will of God.
The entire episode was a confirmation that Jesus was the son of God.
The appearance of Moses was a confirmation that there is life after death and holy people when they die they go to heaven.
The episode signified that Jesus was about to be glorified through His death and resurrection.
The incident encouraged and strengthened Jesus to carry on with His mission through suffering and death.
The occasion taught the disciples the need for privacy in prayer.
The appearance in heavenly glory strengthened the faith of the three disciples who realized that they were right in following Jesus.
The disciples experienced the presence of God which was manifested through the cloud.
The voice from the cloud taught the disciples that Jesus had to be obeyed and trusted.
The disciples learnt that Jesus’ mission was to establish the Kingdom of God.
The incident prepared Peter for the future leadership of the church.

Lessons Christians learn from the transfiguration of Jesus Christ

They should be alert.
They should not be selfish/ share God’s secrets with others.
They should be prayerful.
They should enter the presence of God with great respect.
They should learn to endure suffering.
They should live with hope that there is life after death.
They should be slow to speak/ learn more about Christ before they speak.

JESUS TEACHING ON FAITH AND HUMILITY - Luke 9:37 – 50

Jesus taught on faith and humility as a way of preparing His disciples for the requirements they would need in their apostolic work. Jesus illustrated this in the following ways:

The disciples were unable to heal a boy who had epilepsy because they lacked faith. Jesus cautioned them against their faithless state (Luke 9 – 37 – 43)
The disciples had failed to understand Jesus’ prediction that his mission will be effected through suffering, death and resurrection Luke 9:43 – 45.
The disciples lacked humility by being concerned more about their greatness instead of being concerned with their duties as disciples Luke 9:46.
Jesus used the humility and simplicity found in children to teach that these were the virtues needed to carry out apostolic work. This gives one greatness in the kingdom of and vs. 47 – 48.
The disciples did not accept other people performing miracles in Jesus name because of their pride of being followers of Christ.

Significance of Jesus’ teaching on faith and humility

Christian churches should be united in their mission.
Christian leaders should humble themselves in serving the community.
Christians should recognize and accept faith-healing as mighty works of God.
Demon spirits recognize the authority of Jesus over them.
With Faith in God, Christians have authority over demons.
Membership in Gods kingdom requires humility.
The one that is greatest in Gods kingdom is one who is humble.
Christians should show compassion to those who are suffering.
Christians must have faith accompanied by works.

How Christians can express humility

By sharing material possessions with the needy.
By mixing freely with people of lower status regardless of their position.
Being available to offer communal service e.g. street cleaning.
By not boasting about their own achievement.
By attributing all their achievement to the power of God.
By being available and ready to share the gospel in rural, semi-arid and inaccessible areas.
By blessing those who curse them.
By praying for their enemies.
By forgiving those who wrong them.

Instances that proved that Jesus was a humble man

He never boasted about his divinity.
He was ready to forgive all who wronged Him including those who crucified Him.
He never argued with His accusers especially during the trial before the Sanhedrin, Herod and Pilate.
He left His glory in heaven be born of Mary so as to fulfill God’s plan of salvation.
He was available to listen to the teachings of the elders in the Temple when He was 12 years.
He entered each village and interacted with all classes of people e.g. lepers, women, poor, sick.
He shared all sorts of meals with His disciples.
He slept with His disciples in very humble circumstances.
When He was born He was laid in a manger in a cattle shed.

INCIDENTS IN ST. LUKE’S GOSPEL WHERE JESUS IS DEPICTED AS A SON OF GOD

At baptism Luke 3:22.
At transfiguration Luke 9:35.
During the annunciation Luke 1:32.
During temptations in the wilderness Luke 4:3.
During Peter’s confession.
During exorcism at Capernaum Luke 4:34.
During the exorcism at Gerasene Luke 8:28.