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DEVOTION
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty God, who is able to make all things new and to restore life anew every morning, help me never to be conformed to the world but to be transformed by the constant renewing of my mind. Through the Spirit of Christ. AMEN.
INTRODUCTION
Eight days before this scripture Peter had declared the identity of Jesus, “The Christ of God” in response to Jesus’ question about his identity. Jesus knows that Peter and the other disciples have no real idea of what this means. That had assumptions and historical guesses that they had heard, but Jesus is beyond our guesses and assumptions. Jesus invites three disciples to go up on a mountain to pray with him. God reveals to the disciples and all of us a more complete picture of the identity of Jesus. Let’s read the scripture.
Luke 9:28-36 NIV
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, 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.
REFLECTION
Jesus is revealed to the disciples beyond their imaginations. Jesus is Transfigured – he changes size, shape, and appearance and Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, and they have a conversation about the departure of Jesus, (the crucifixion and resurrection) which was to take place in Jerusalem. The disciples are stunned and dazed at the scene. Peter offers a feeble gesture of ancient remembrance. The disciples perspective is looking back – not looking forward.
Verses 34-36 are key verses for us to notice as we look forward. The disciples are covered in a cloud – the unknown of the future and within the unknown they hear the voice of God. “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” (vs 35b). Earlier in Luke 3:21-23 at the baptism of Jesus, God had also spoken, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (vs.22b). God is assuring Jesus at the Baptism, and Jesus has lived faithfully into those words. Now we are assured that Jesus is the chosen Son of God and we are to listen to him. Can we live faithfully into those words? The disciples still don’t know what these words mean about Jesus or for themselves. That is the reality of faith. We don’t know what it all means, yet we keep the words, hold the promises, obey the teachings as life unfolds before us. We remember over time and in time we more fully understand what “Listening to Jesus” means in our lives.
Faith is not about having all the answers. Faith is about remembering the promises of God and living in the assurance that God will fulfill all of God’s promises to us. Our struggle is to remember and live without having all the answers, only promises.
From the mountain Jesus looked upon his coming death and resurrection and still moved faithfully toward Jerusalem for our benefit. Jesus is demonstrating faithfulness to each of us. Jesus’ grace and mercy enable us to follow him daily.
CLOSING PRAYER
Help me today, my Lord, to discover your good, perfect, and acceptable will and to focus all of my desire and energy upon doing it. AMEN.
Blessings,
Pastor Tom
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