The Transfiguration

Meditations in the Season of Epiphany 

February 24, 2022

The Transfiguration

“They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.”

Luke 9:31

Read: Luke 9:28-45

The NIV and NRSV Bibles translate this passage as Moses and Elijah speaking with Jesus about his departure. The NLT, quoted above, correctly translates the word as exodus. Luke wants us to see the connection between the Law and Prophets, Moses and Elijah, and the exodus of God’s people from slavery to the land of milk and honey. And Luke wants us to grasp that Jesus is leading us on an exodus from sin and death to eternal life, living in God’s righteousness.

The story of Jesus’ transfiguration reveals human weakness. First, we see that while Jesus had invited the three disciples to join him in prayer, they had fallen asleep. This was a scene that would be played out again in Jerusalem in the Garden of Gethsemane. Once the disciples were awake, they wanted to build tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah for as Peter noted, “Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here!” (v.33) Yet, after hearing the voice in the cloud proclaim, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him” (v.35), the disciples didn’t tell anyone what they had seen or heard.

The story of Jesus healing the demon-possessed boy includes the curious comment by Jesus, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you and put up with you?” (v.41) Although Jesus had given his disciples the authority to heal diseases and cast out demons, they couldn’t help the boy. This passage, like the story of Jesus’ transfiguration, reveals the limitations, even frailty, of humans living in their flesh, as opposed to living their life in Christ.

My Takeaway: Jesus’ comment in verse 41 are words directed to faithless Israel by both Moses and God in the Old Testament. Although Jesus recognizes our human frailty, our fallen state is totally unacceptable to him. He is insistent that we will be transformed as his life is completely formed within us.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.