#56 Luke 9:27-36 This is My Son, Whom I Have Chosen; Listen to Him
On January 28, 2022 by Amy BurginAmy:
Episode #56 Luke 9:27-36
Welcome
Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin and I’m usually here with my daughter Joy Burgin. She’s out this week, but don’t worry, she’ll be back.
If you are anything like us, you desire to take time to listen to Jesus every day.
Or maybe, you don’t know who Jesus is. Put aside what the world or religion has taught you, and see for yourself.
This podcast makes space to spend time with Jesus and his words directly. Each week we read a passage from the Bible several times and create stillness after each reading that we also might be still and know him more.
We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke.
Pour Out Your Heart to God
Amy:
Before we read today’s passage, take a few moments to give God the things that are on your mind. Maybe it’s a heart bursting with hope, love, gratitude, grief, exhaustion, or a mix of some of these things and more. Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to the Lord in this next minute.
What Does This Passage Say About God?
Amy:
As I read the passage for the first time, consider the question, What does this passage say about God?
Luke 9:27-36 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John, and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 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.)
While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 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.
Again?
Luke 9:27-36 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John, and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 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.)
While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 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.
Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about God?
[Pause and know]What Does This Passage Say About People?
Amy:
As I reread the passage, consider the question: What does this passage tell you about people?
Luke 9:27-36 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John, and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 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.)
While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 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.
Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about people?
[Pause and know]Lord, What Would You Have Me Know Or Do Today?
Amy:
As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”
Luke 9:27-36 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John, and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 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.)
While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 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.
Take the next minute to ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”
[Pause and listen]Blessing
Amy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. And may you turn your face toward his, incline your ears to his voice, and listen to him.
One Response
Amy:
This passage is often referred to as The Transfiguration. The story is described in Matthew and Mark, where both authors choose the same Greek word, metamorphoō, to explain how the appearance of Jesus changed. It’s the same word used to describe the process of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. (By the way, I learned that from my favorite website, which I hit multiple times a week, www.blueletterbible.org. This website even tells you how to pronounce these words. You don’t need a degree in Theology to know this stuff).
The transfiguration reminds me of 1 Corinthians 15, which talks about the kingdom of God, saying in verses 49 and 54, “Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.'”
Peter, John, and James saw the kingdom of God on that mountain just as Jesus had said they would eight days before the transfiguration!
As always, there is so much beauty to unpack, but I think my favorite today is this. Even when we fall asleep during prayer, like Peter and his companions did, even when we are confused, spouting small, selfish plans as Peter did, Jesus still invites us into his Majesty and transforms us from glory to glory. Oh, may we listen to him!
Closing
Amy:
Joy and I will be back next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.
It blesses me to hear from you! Please leave a reply here.