STUDY
NOTES on previous study
The Transfiguration (Luke
Jesus has
just been acknowledged by His disciples as being the Messiah. He warned them that while they had the title
right, their idea of messiahship was much different than what it truly
was. He told them of His death – and
resurrection, and carefully explained that death was also their way to ultimate
exaltation. They could only find life by
dying to themselves and living for God.
A few days
later, Jesus selected the apostles who were closest to him – Peter, James, and
John – and went up on a mountain to ... – surely by now you know the pattern –
He went up to pray. To prepare Jesus for
what was about to happen, but also to show the inner group of disciples the
true essence of the Christ, Jesus was transformed into His glorious state. To demonstrate the truth of all that Jesus
had taught was indeed the continuation of God’s eternal purposes, Moses and
Elijah appeared as well. Moses and
Elijah represented Law and the Prophets, or the entirety of the Old Testament
for the Jew. Only Luke’s account informs
us of the content of their discussion.
As Moses led the first exodus, Jesus was about to lead God’ people in
the ultimate departure, or exodus. Can
you imagine, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, discussing the plan of redemption for
humankind? What an amazing moment!
The
disciples were sleepy (again!), but happily this did not keep them from seeing
this incredible event. As the discussion
wound down, Peter wanted to contribute something to the happening. He certainly didn’t want them to leave. In fact, it is very likely that Peter felt
vindicated in this moment. He offered to
do his part to fulfill the Jewish vision of the ultimate Feast of Tabernacles,
where Moses, Elijah, and the Messiah would dwell in a victorious end-time
state. This could be the very mountain
from which God’s new kingdom would begin!
Peter certainly liked this version much better than Jesus’ disturbing
idea of dying a painful death. And
because he needed Moses and Elijah for his version, he would be so helpful as
to build them a place to stay.
Suddenly,
a cloud enveloped them all. This was no
ordinary cloud, because it terrified the apostles. It was the cloud of the divine presence, and
out of it a voice spoke a most important message. “This is my Son, my Beloved, listen to
Him!” So we see in a definitive way -
Jesus is indeed the Christ, and He is the fulfillment of all that God has ever
done. He is One who will interpret life
in the kingdom. This is no triad of
leadership - Jesus is greater than Moses and Elijah. He is the Son, and He will define what it
means to be Messiah.
The
glorious scene ended as abruptly as it began.
Jesus told His closest friends to keep quiet about the event. It was too puzzling to understand – until
after the resurrection. So, they all
began to make their way down the mountain.
Can you imagine what Peter, James, and John must have been
thinking? Can you even begin to imagine
all the questions they must have had?
But it doesn’t take long for them to descend from heavenly glory into
the mess of humanity.
As they
descended, they were enveloped by a great crowd, including the other disciples
as well as a distraught man. His son had
a demon who did him great harm, and the disciples were not able to cast the
demon out. It is interesting to note
that previously they certainly had that power.
Jesus’ response clearly indicates the root of the problem. The disciples, who had much power when acting
in faith, had forgotten the power was not in them. Jesus’ stinging rebuke was aimed at His
immediate followers – “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer
must I be with you and bear with you?”
And He immediately cast the unclean spirit out of the boy, and “gave him
back to his father.” Remember that
repeated phrase? Jesus was involved in
repossessing the dispossessed. He was a
restorer, one who gave back that which had been violently taken away.
The
disciples clearly missed the point of their ministry and their granted power
over Satan. It was not about them. Can you imagine the scene? They are all around this boy, insisting
(through their power) that the demon come out.
The unclean spirit must have had a great time laughing at their feeble
attempts to overpower him. The disciples
must have been perplexed. Their words
had worked before. But then it was an
exciting demonstration of the power of the kingdom. The powerful words “In the name of Jesus”
were spoken with powerful faith in Him and His Father. But the power was lost in the dying embers of
a self-focused faith. There is clearly a
lesson for each of us as we journey in the power of the Spirit. At the moment we believe the power is about
us and our glory, the power is lost.
When we submit in faith to the One who would give us life, we find
amazing power available for the expanding of the kingdom.
This
section ends with Jesus once again reminding His disciples the path that must
be walked by the Messiah. It is one of
betrayal, one of violence. But the
disciples simply were not capable of understanding. The text suggests a prohibiting presence in
their lives. Something or someone was
blocking their minds from hearing the words of Jesus. This would not be God, for He intends that
truth be known. The disciples were still
subject to Satan’s confusing ideas. They
had such strong preconceived ideas about Messiah and kingdom that they could
not see Jesus for who He really was. It
would take the terrible experience of the cross and the exhilaration of the
resurrection and the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit to break them from
the power of Satan’s deception. I wonder
how clearly we see the walk of authentic discipleship?
The Transfiguration
(Luke
After having read the study notes, answer the
following questions:
1. Are
you surprised by how often Luke mentions that Jesus went out or up to a quiet
place to pray? Why or why not?
2. What
do you find most surprising about the transfiguration experience of Jesus?
3. What
do you think Peter was wanting to do by building three dwellings?
4. Are
we ever guilty of thinking God’s work depends on our power instead of His? What are ways that we do this?
True Greatness
(Luke 9:46-61)
Read Luke 9:46-48
1. Why
do you think the disciples were arguing over who was the greatest disciple?
2. Why
would Jesus answer their questions concerning greatness, with a child?
3. What
did Jesus mean when He said, “the least among all of you is the greatest?”
4. Do
you believe what Jesus said about ‘being least is being the greatest’ is
actually true?
Read
1. What
was the man doing that disturbed the disciples?
2. Why
did they tell him to stop?
3. Did
Jesus agree with their behavior?
4. Are
we sometimes guilty of the same wrongful behavior as the disciples? How?
Read
1. What
do you think the messengers going ahead of Jesus did for Him in preparing for
His arrival?
2. Why
didn’t the Samaritans receive Jesus?
3. What
was James’ and John’s reaction to the people of the village?
4. Why
did Jesus rebuke them?
Read
1. What
is Jesus calling for in these verses?
2. Why
would Jesus not want someone to bury their father?
3. What
did Jesus mean when He said we should not look back, or we are not fit for the
4. What
do you think Jesus would say to us in our culture about the nature of the
undivided loyalty needed to truly participate in the kingdom?