Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God. (Luke 9:28-43)
This passage is about the Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus. It is an awesome event for several reasons. The first is that these three trusted inner circle members of the disciples, Peter, James, and John, got to experience the presence and power of heaven without dying. They saw in the person or body of Jesus, the glory of God. This also shows the awesomeness of prayer, for it was in the prayer time of Jesus that this event happened. The event also showed the connectedness of Jesus to all scripture; the passages of the Bible that gave us Moses, and the closing of our Old Testament with the foretelling of the coming of both of these men in Malachi. And the greatest is the declaration from God for a second time of these powerful words: "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him!" That said, everything was back to normal. Except for what would reside in the minds of the three disciples for the rest of their lives. The story then shifts back to the needs of the people; sickness, demon-possessions, poverty, hunger, etc. And how Jesus delivers and heals those in need. And again, how it is Jesus who comes to the rescue when we think we have been defeated or have failed in our attempts to do God's work.
What we should take away from this are these things; pray like never before and pray expecting powerful answers to your prayers; read the Bible like never before with a plan to complete a thorough study of God's word in a year; look and listen to God's voice all around you and you will hear God directing you to the work God would have you do on His behalf. Seek also to be God's hands in the work that still needs to be done.
PRAYER: Loving God, as I pray this morning, I ask that I be blessed with the things mentioned above. I want to know You more and I want to do Your will. Help me to stay connected through prayer and Bible study. This I ask in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Update: Please continue to pray for our niece, Nellie Ann. She's had her ups and downs and we are still praying that God's will be done in her body and her life. Thank you for caring.
