BE CONFIDENT: IT IS HIM!
Opening Prayer
Jesus, God’s Chosen One, help me to listen, to hear you, and to follow you.
Read LUKE 9:28-36
The Transfiguration
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, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure,[a] 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 covered 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 did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
Footnotes
- Luke 9:31 Greek exodos
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Suppose Jesus is the Messiah from heaven, as Peter had declared. What would be the most significant confirmation of that fact? Open your heart as we read of this great endorsement of Jesus.Peter had spoken up in front of the whole group of disciples and proclaimed that Jesus is God’s Messiah (v 20). Then Jesus had started to tell them about his suffering and death. Who Jesus is matters more than anything else. So, in this unique moment, the three closest disciples get a most glorious glimpse and emphatic endorsement of who Jesus is. They get to see Jesus in his heavenly glory (v 29).
Then there are two—or three—witnesses: Moses, the founding figure of Israel, along with Elijah, the great end times prophet of Israel. The third witness? As a glorious cloud engulfs them, they get to hear the voice of God the Father from heaven (v 35). As before, at the baptism of Jesus, the voice from heaven speaks of Jesus. This time it affirms that Jesus is God’s Chosen One (God’s Messiah), who must be listened to (the prophet like Moses that was to come—see Deuteronomy 18:18).
This spectacular moment left a deep impression on those present. Peter refers to it years later in 2 Peter 1:16-21. They treasured the memory of it and lived their lives confident of Jesus’ identity.
Apply
As you read of this fantastic moment, how does it reinforce your understanding of Jesus? How would your life be different if you were more confident in who Jesus is?
Closing prayer
Almighty God, you declared Jesus as your Son on the mountain; may I never forget the price paid so that I could call you Father.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
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