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READ LUKE 9:28-36
Luke 9:28-36
This passage describes the transfiguration of Jesus when He went up on the mountain to pray with three of His disciples, Peter, James, and John. As Jesus began to pray, He was transfigured into a sort of glowing or shining appearance and Elijah and Moses appeared with Him. In Luke 9:30-31 the Bible teaches us that they are speaking of the crucifixion of Jesus that would occur in Jerusalem. The scene is now set and what happens next is truly amazing in the Biblical context.
In the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah both, in their own time, witness the appearance of the glory of God: Moses in Exodus 40:34-38 as a cloud covers the tabernacle and it is filled with the glory of God, which in turn, this cloud will be the guide that delivers the Israelites out of captivity. The Bible teaches us in 1 Kings 18 as Elijah calls on God to deliver the Israelites from the prophets of Baal, a cloud brings rain to end the drought and prove the existence of God, along with the defeat of the prophets of Baal.
Moses and Elijah both represent situations in which the LORD delivered the Israelites from their enemies. And during the transfiguration, these two appear with Jesus in the cover of a cloud in which the LORD speaks in revealing His Son to Peter, James, and John. The Old Testament events of God delivering His people are, in the transfiguration, being transferred to God in delivering all people through His Son Jesus.
This is God announcing His relationship to Jesus.
This is God announcing that we should listen to Jesus.
There are many things that we can study and learn from this one passage, and they all will point to one thing: JESUS! The Old Testament sets the scene for the need for a Savior. The Old Testament teaches humanity that a human being cannot prove himself righteous in the eyes of God and be worthy to be self-righteous. Jesus teaches us Himself in John 14:6 that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one will be worthy of God without Him. Jesus will deliver us from the bondage of sin and give us a new life in Him if we will listen to Him when He speaks to our hearts and follow His direction for our lives.
Dear Lord,
There is a lot to absorb in this lesson, but please help us all to absorb the one thing that matters most to our salvation, and that is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Please give us the strength to turn to Him in time of need and to continue with Him in our hearts, minds, and souls for eternity. In Jesus name I pray, amen.