Luke 9:28-43 ~ appeared in glorious splendor

Luke 9:28-43 ~ (Today's New International Version) Audio Bible

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, 31 appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 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.)


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.

³⁷ The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. ³⁸ A man in the crowd called out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. ³⁹ A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. ⁴⁰ I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not."

⁴¹ "You unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here."

⁴² Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. ⁴³ And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

This is a passage you know if you grew up in the Church reading the Bible. It's like wrapping paper on a gift; you see the package, it's beautiful and you proceed to open the present. You believe the person giving you the gift has something in the wrapping paper. Think about reading this to someone who is unfamiliar to the Scriptures. You'd have to provide the who, what and why. You would start with explaining Jesus Christ, His identity & sacrifice for you and the newby.

After you've finished explaining this passage, you are going to be asked why would holy people dead for a 1,000 years show up. You could give them the prophecy from Malachi 4:5 , but it might not satisfy & you would be asked why these men appeared. Why did God choose to send them?

Look at what is ahead for Jesus, an incredible ordeal. Are the disciples much help? As much help as young children helping to fill out your tax forms. Jesus was as encouraged as His disciples. Moses and Elijah spoke to Jesus words of encouragement, as living men who had come through dealing with vast quantities of rebellious people against God Himself. Jesus is able to move ahead in spite of the children of Israel - his disciples - fumbling & bumbling at the foot of the mountain.

Perhaps when you look over this passage, it wouldn't be the passage you would want to explain. Dead prophets appearing and epilepsy interpreted as demons... much more understandable to the first century man. This time the wrapping paper comes with the gift, you wouldn't wad up the wrapping paper and throw it to your host to demand clean up would you?

Historically Jesus lived and died... this is archaeology... unless you are James Cameron. Even Roman Emperors for the first 400 years after Jesus died believed this & came to fear the power of the name of Jesus. So, Jesus was able to die for mankind, you, and unable to converse with men living with God? Jesus who healed the blind, cured the deaf and gave hope for 2,000 years was not gifted with spiritual discernment to know when He was dealing with epilepsy or not?

Forget this whole argument if you please, but know you have been given a gift today. You have been given the Valentine of knowing God the Father, sent comfort to His Son, before His Sacrifice. God does not desert us, God will always hear us and seek us.

We give you great praise Father, for the Steadfast Love that defines You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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