THIS IS MY SON;
LISTEN TO HIM
Luke 9:28-36
Key Verse 9:35
A voice came from
the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
By the help of the Holy Spirit, Peter had confessed that Jesus is God’s Messiah. After his confession of faith, Jesus began to teach the work of God’s Messiah that he must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day and be raised to life. (9:22) Jesus continued to teach them: “Whoever wants to be my disciples must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” (9:23-24) When Jesus performed miracles – healing the sick, driving out demons, and feeding 5000, the disciples loved to follow Jesus and were proud to be his disciples. But when Jesus taught the work of God’s Messiah, many of them were troubled and even upset. Some of them might have worried and even scared, thinking that they would suffer and die by following Jesus. (9:45) Frankly speaking, the disciples did not want to listen to Jesus’ teaching.
In such critical moment, Jesus reveals the gimps of His Glory as the Son of God, to his three disciples in this passage. This was a strange, unusual, even mystical event. But definitely
this had deep and profound impacts on the disciples. As the eyewitnesses of Jesus’ glory, they accepted God’s Messiah who must be rejected, killed, and raised; they actually participated even in his sufferings by teaching and preaching this Jesus, God’s Messiah. Today’s passage is commonly known as the transfiguration of Jesus. Through this passage, we may learn who is Jesus and What followers of Jesus must do. We may see the glory of Jesus, the Son of the living God.
I. Jesus is glorious God in very nature (28-31)
Verse 28 says, “About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.” About eight days had passed after Jesus taught his disciples that they had to deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow him. Still, it seemed like no one understood Jesus’ teaching about the upcoming his suffering, death and resurrection. His teaching became a big stumbling block to fall. For Jesus, the appointed time to glorify God was coming and he needed to prepare himself for the mission to be fulfilled. Then, what did Jesus do? Before such a pivotal moment, Jesus took deliberate action to prepare himself and also his disciples. He prayed. Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. What could prepare anyone for its own death on a cross? What could prepare the disciples to endure such horrors? It is only prayer. The importance of pray cannot be over emphasized. Even Jesus, the son of God, had prayed every moment, especially before the great work of God such as confronting the religious leaders (5:16), renewing his mission to preach the kingdom of God(Mk1:15), calling the twelve disciples (6:12), declaring that he is God’s Messiah and teaching the way of cross, and here deciding to take his last journey to Jerusalem. Through prayer, Jesus was led to do the will of God, and empowered to carry it out with decisive actions.
What is the best way to prepare GELF and ISBC? It is through prayer. We are not doing our own
businesses, but the work of God. The work of God cannot be done by our own calculations or powers. We should listen to God and be led by God, so that the Holy Spirit can use us and work with us. Any great work of God can be done only through prayer. (Mk9:29) For those who begin their days with prayer by the word of God, God pours out his mercy and grace. Instead of worry or being anxious, let us pray for GLEF 2023 earnestly.
Look at verse 29. Something happened as Jesus prayed. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning (29). Jesus’ face and even clothes became bright and shiny like a flash of lightning. In Hebrews 1:3, it is stated that “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” As he was praying, this glorious nature of Jesus, the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of God is unveiled from within. We human want to reveal our glory by covering ourselves with luxurious branded clothes, bags, heavy makeup, and even plastic surgery since our hearts are full of unclean things. However, Jesus’ transfiguration is truly awesome revelation of God that shows his identity as the Son of the living God. Jesus is the Son of the living God with all power and glory.
But, this glorious image does not align with his teachings about the Son of Man who must suffer
many things, be rejected and killed, and be raised to life. (9:22) How could the Son of the living God suffered and be killed? No one takes his life from him. Jesus himself laid his life down of his own accord. (Jn 10:15,18) Hebrews 2:14-17 tells us why Jesus, the son of the living God, laid down his life. It says “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death, he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death…he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.” Praise Jesus! Though he is God himself, he made himself fully human in every way.
During his earthly ministry, he looked ordinary. Probably he looked tired and exhausted for he
worked and served the needy people so tirelessly. To people’s eyes, Jesus looked like no one special. Isaiah describe that “he had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him; nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” (Isa53:2) He had been a humble shepherd, and a servant of all. He was known as a friend of sinners. However, we may not forget that Jesus is God himself.
Looking back on the times with Jesus, John testified this amazing grace by saying “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Jn1:14) In Jesus’ life of serving, his life of giving, his life of sacrificing on a cross, John saw the true glory of Jesus, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father. This wonderful experience with Jesus empowered him to endure many hardships in preaching the gospel of Jesus to the end.
Also, Peter testified in 2 Peter 1 – “We did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were witnesses of his majesty.” In the midst of hardship and suffering, Peter praised God for giving him a new birth into a living hope through Jesus’ death and resurrection. This glorious image of Jesus empowered him to overcome fierce persecutions for the gospel of Jesus. “Rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” (1P4:13) This is how Peter encouraged the early Christians. Even James became the first martyr for Jesus’ sake among the apostles. Keeping the glory of Jesus till the end of their lives, they lived with the hope of the kingdom of God.
We want to see the glory of Jesus like these disciples. It is because those who see Jesus’ glory
will be changed. They will be strong and courageous to overcome themselves, take up their crosses and follow Jesus. I have seen the glory of Jesus through GLEF. One young man repented of his sins sincerely and proclaimed that Jesus is His High priest who saves him completely forever. Since then, he has been growing in knowing Jesus Christ Another young man repented his selfish heart by learning Jesus’ obedience through Hebrews 5:7-8. He has been praying to
pioneer medical students and faculties in Bonn. One young girl who was full of complex and desires of the world has been changed by the blood of Jesus. She has shared the word of God faithfully, and grows to be a Bible messenger in GLEF. All these have revealed the glory of Jesus, the One and only, who came from God. Let us pray for GLEF and also ISBC. Through ISBC, many young men may see the glory of Jesus and devote their lives for world campus mission.
When Jesus was transfigured, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking
with Jesus (30). This is also very strange. Thought there are so many questions we want to ask, one obvious thing we learn is that there is life after death, glorious splendor for the people of God.
Then, why did Moses and Elijah appear in that moment and talk with Jesus? Why not Abraham and David? Look at verse 31. Here we can find some clues for answer. Jesus, Moses and Elijah spoke about the departure of Jesus, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. “Departure” is ἔξοδος (exodos) in Greek, which literally means “the road out” or figuratively, death. For Jesus, his death is his exodus from this world to the glory of God. Jesus would suffer and die on the cross at Jerusalem for the fulfillment of God’s redemptive history which God had planned and promised since the fall of mankind.
Moses was the one through whom God gave the law to the Israelites. Moses was the right person who could tell about how and why Jesus should become the Lamb of God for the sin of the world. Elijah as the representative of prophets was the right prophet who could tell all about what God had promised for the redemption of sinners. Moreover, Moses and Elijah were suffering servants who suffered much to fulfill God’s will in their generation. It might be great encouragement for Jesus that these tow suffering servants of God appeared in glorious splendor. They might have prayed together for the fulfillment of the God’s redemptive History
through Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection.
His suffering and death is just the departure of his journey to his glorious resurrection. Therefore, his departure actually gives us living hope in the kingdom of God. This is the good news of salvation for mankind. It is because through Jesus’ death, sinners can make an exodus from the power of sin and death; and through Jesus’ resurrection, sinners have living hope in the glorious coming of Jesus. In Christ, there is no meaningless suffering. All our labor in the Lord is not
in vain.
II. Listen to Jesus (32-36)
Meanwhile, what were the disciples doing? Look at verse 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.” Peter and his companions were very sleepy (32). Since it was never easy for them to follow Jesus as his disciples, they were very tired physically and also spiritually. When they went up onto the high mountain, they got very tired. They couldn’t understand why Jesus took them to the mountain. While Jesus was praying, they got very sleepy and were drowsy. But suddenly they felt that something very bright was shining. They couldn’t open their eyes well because of brightness. When they became fully awake, they saw the glory of Jesus and the two men standing with him (32). They had never seen the glory of Jesus before. Their Lord Jesus was so glorious that they fell before him. Also, they saw that Moses and Elijah were standing with him.
As Moses and Elijah were leaving Jesus, Peter said to Jesus, “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” (33). Though Peter didn’t know what he was saying, it actually revealed his sincere desire. He wanted to stay forever on the mountain with the glory of Jesus. How about you? Who wants to go down the mountain and face the suffering and pain of the cross? Who wants to serve the crowd of needy people? Who want to see Jesus suffer and die on a cross? Who want to face problems and troubles? Honestly, we all want to stay and enjoy the glory of Jesus as long as we can. Last Easter, we had wonderful Easter Bible Conference with powerful words of God, heart moving testimonies,
amazing Pilgrims presentations by our vision team. I really did not want to leave the conference place. If it were possible, I want to have 356 days bible conference. All we have double and triple crosses: work, study, family, ministry, children etc. If possible, we want to have glory without suffering or cross.
But, what is God’s will for them, and for us? While Peter was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them (34). And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him” (35). The cloud represents the presence of God, and the voice was from God the Father. God came to help them. Peter, James and John had heard Jesus’ teaching concerning his suffering, death, and resurrection. However, they had not understood nor accepted it. They were too attached to their human ambition and their own ideas. They did not listen to Jesus for the cross was not what they dreamed. It meant that they actually reject Jesus’ teaching.
Then how did God help them? God said “This is my son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him.” First,
the voice of God clearly identify Jesus as the Son of God, who he has chosen for his purpose, for his redemptive work. Jesus is the Chosen Son of God, chosen to save us from our sins, chosen to rule us with peace and love forever. In the world, there are many people who have authority and power. As a citizen of USA, we have obligation to listen to the president of USA, the police authority. As a student, we should listen to our teachers. As a children, we may listen to our parents. But we should listen to Jesus above all others for Jesus is the Son of God.
Second, God commands them to listen to Jesus. “Listen to him!” It means more than hearing what he said, but accepting Jesus’ teaching, putting it into practice, seeking and working hard to fulfill what Jesus said. It means that the disciples should not avoid the suffering or the cross of Jesus. Rather, they should accept Jesus’ message of suffering, death, and resurrection thought they didn’t like it nor understand it.
We have tendency to listen to what we like to hear. We like to hear words of blessing, prosperity.
We do not like to hear the word of self-denial, taking the cross, repentance, self-denial, and obedience and training. However, without Jesus’ suffering and death on a cross, there would be No salvation for sinners. No glory of the kingdom of God. Since Jesus came to fulfill God’s salvation for sinners, we need to make a decision to listen to Jesus no matter what. This is God’s
command for the disciples. When we do not listen to Jesus, we would become useless before God. Even we will be the obstacles or even enemies of God.
To listen to Jesus, We all need such a commitment to Jesus’ words. Because we are constantly bombarded with other message from the world, form the devil, and from our own sinful desires. We should study the bible deeply through IBS to listen to Jesus. The purpose of
GLEF is also to listen to Jesus; Daily Bread, Writing weekly testimonies. The word of Jesus is the words of eternal life which leads to salvation and the kingdom of God. Otherwise, we will become useless, with full of our own selfish
Look at verse 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.”
When we listen carefully to God and Jesus who speak by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, we can obey God’s will, and be blessed for the glory of God. Those who listen to the one word of Jesus will be a blessing for many like Abraham. “Listen to Him.” I pray that all of us can listen to
Jesus carefully and be used for the glory of God. Amen.