Luke 9, Part Two

The transfiguration (vs. 28-36)—Both Matthew and Mark cover this, and here are my remarks from Matthew 17:1-9:

“Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain for an event we call the “transfiguration.” “He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light” (v. 2). Moses, the great lawgiver, and Elijah, the great prophet, appeared and talked to Him. Peter spoke up, suggesting that three tabernacles be built, one each for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. But in Mark’s account of this event, we learn that Peter didn’t really know what he was saying because the three apostles “were greatly afraid” (Mark 9:6). Apparently the point of the transfiguration is found in verse 5: “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’" The authority of Jesus, above that of Moses and Elijah is established—hear Christ, not Moses.”

Luke adds nothing of real substance to that, except that the apostles were asleep (or almost so) while Jesus was praying (v. 32). He, of course, knew what was truly important.

Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy (vs. 37-42)—Again, Matthew covers this and has some material that Luke doesn’t, and thus my thoughts are again worth reproducing (from Matthew 17:14-21):

“His disciples had been unable to cure this demon-possessed boy, and Jesus is a bit frustrated at them: “’O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?’” (v. 17). Jesus casts the demon out and the disciples asked Him why they had failed. They didn’t have enough faith, Christ told them, then tried to encourage them by saying, “’for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you’” (v. 20). Jesus obviously is speaking in hyperbole here, but His words are designed to let us know the power of faith. He also comforted the apostles by indicating that the demon He cast out was apparently an especially tough one: “this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (v. 21). We have no real clue, practically, of what that means because the age of literal demon possession is over.”

Predicting His betrayal and death (vs. 43-45)—After this miracle, people “were all amazed at the majesty of God” (v. 43). Yet, Jesus deflates this attitude in speaking to His disciples: “’Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men’" (v. 44). Verse 45 indicates the total lack of understanding of His apostles; how could someone who had done the things Jesus had done fall into the hands of men? They did not understand His mission, of course, and will not until after His resurrection and ascension to heaven.

Who is the greatest? (vs. 46-48)—The apostles could be extremely petty, but they were probably all young men, early to mid-twenties, and, as noted above, had virtually no comprehension of Jesus’ work. So they argued over which of them would be the greatest. Jesus’ answer no doubt astonished them: “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great" (v. 48). The humble, trusting servant is the truly great one in the kingdom of God.