Mysterious, and nothing short of remarkable

When I was a child, summer vacations took us to Clear Lake, which I dearly loved--boating, water skiing, fishing and fun. Is that when I fell in love with the water? Hmmm... well, until I moved to North Carolina, I lived very near the Pacific Ocean, even viewing sunsets over her waters nightly. So great. There is something about being near the water that impacts me greatly.

Yes, in my mind's eye, I remember the times I looked down at the surface of the smooth lake and saw my reflection, quiet in the morning and oft at eventide. Can you picture that? Similarly, reading scripture is somewhat like that. As I read, I do not just see God, but I also see who God wants me to be. Reading about Jesus, besides learning about him, I ask myself 'is there some way I might be a little more like him?'

And you--have you ever noticed that Jesus prayed a lot? And when Jesus prayed, things happened--the Father gave him wisdom and the direction He ought take. Hmmm... when I pray, does anything happen?

Back to the action-packed ninth chapter of Luke's gospel where he records a rather mysterious event - also described by Matthew and Mark - Jesus in prayer, changed before the eyes of the disciples. What a remarkable account!

A prayer for understanding: Dear Heavenly Father, please open our hearts and minds to understand this event in the life of our Lord, and what if anything it has to do with us 2000 years later. Help us read so as to learn from you and about You. Amen.

Luke wrote, "Now about eight days after these sayings". . .

right here I ask myself, 'these sayings', what sayings? Clearly this refers to what had just been said by Jesus. He had told them, If you want to follow Me, it will be costly. He had announced that he was on his way to Jerusalem where he would suffer, die and rise again. Then, he asked a powerful question of his disciples: who do you say that I am? I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.”1 After, "he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. Luke 9.28-36

This remarkable event is referred to as the Transfiguration because that is what happened - Jesus was transfigured or 'changed in appearance.'2 As He prayed, Jesus underwent a metamorphosis before the eyes of Peter, James and John. This shining transformation was an indication that God the Father was present and at work. And at the same time, Jesus was joined by Moses (a representative of the Law) and Elijah (a representative of the Prophets), who confirmed that Jesus was to continue his trek toward Jerusalem and the cross.  

        Nothing mattered more to Jesus than to be in the Father's will;

        nothing mattered more to Jesus than to do the Father's will.

A second time the Father commended Jesus aloud--first at his baptism3, and yet again: "This is my Son whom I love. With him, I am well pleased. Listen to him."

Maybe our Lord's half brother, James, loved the water too, as some 10-15 years later, he described the Word as a mirror to which we ought look and see ourselves.4 So what might we learn and apply from Jesus in these few verses?

>if prayer was a priority of Jesus, it certainly ought be a priority for us

>as Jesus sought to know and practice the will of God in his life, so ought we

Indeed, as Jesus' intent was to be in God's will, we too must seek it as our highest good. Just as Jesus prayed and sought his direction, we too must stay connected to him [and His word] to know his heart and be about the Father's business.5 As we plan our lives right down to a single day, let us ask, 'Is this thing I am about to do what you would have me do, God? Is it your will?'  

The ways of God are oft mysterious -- like this event where Moses and Elijah, plucked out of time to be with the Son of God, affirmed Jesus as Messiah. Just how and when God works we do not always know, but that he works is assured. Jesus said so.6

Unbelievable! Listen to this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuBqgPqBAXA

Wanting to know everything about Jesus,

Christine - PastorWoman.net

Luke, #38

1 - Luke 9.20

2 - definition-transfiguration, Merriam Webster

3 - Luke 3.22

4 - James 1.22-25: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James 1%3A22-25&ve...

5 - Luke 2.49

6 - John 5.17