Luke 9:28–36

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passages of Scripture.

1.         This passage has been referred to as “The Transfiguration” for many centuries and it refers to the fact that Peter, James, and John saw that the appearance of Jesus was altered or changed.

2.         The trio, known as the “inner three,” went up into a mountain to pray. We are reminded that Moses went up into a mountain to receive the Ten Commandments. There was something about this going up that is difficult to understand, but it could be so that the four would be alone.

3.         Suddenly two “men” appeared with Jesus and were talking with Jesus. These men were Moses and Elijah, but we do not know how the three disciples knew this.

4.         Their appearance was “in glory,” and they were talking with Jesus about His departure, which likely would have included his death, resurrection, and ascension. And it would all happen in Jerusalem.

5.         The three disciples were sleeping apparently, and also it is likely this event took place late at night. When they awoke, at some unknown point, they saw both the glory of Jesus and also Moses and Elijah standing with Jesus.

6.         Peter wanted to provide a way for the two visitors to remain with them there on that unnamed mountain, but just then they were enveloped in a cloud, which proved to be a fearful event for the disciples.

7.         Out of the cloud however came a dramatic message:

“This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” After the message concluded, they were alone with Jesus.

8.         It would be a long while before the three spoke of this.

Luke 9:21–27

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Peter, stating that Jesus is “the Christ of God” after the feeding of the 5000, prompts Jesus to strictly charge and command the Twelve to tell this to no one. It is thought that Jesus’ concern is that the remark might be taken politically by both Jewish leaders and Rome.

2.         He goes on to state that He must suffer many things, even rejection by Jewish religious leaders, and be killed, yet on the 3^rd day rise.

3.         With that reality now in the minds of the Twelve, He goes on to state that those who follow Him must deny themselves and take up His cross, that horrible instrument of death, and follow Him, daily.

4.         This ‘full disclosure’ is followed by Jesus saying the ultimate reality, namely, that denying Jesus results in losing one’s life, but following Him results in saving their lives. This is the monstrous difference between heaven and hell, both of which are eternal.

5.         A metaphor for not following Jesus, shame, means rejection when Jesus returns in His glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.

6.         Then Jesus states that even among the Twelve were some who would not “taste death until they see the Kingdom of God.” This statement has puzzled Christians throughout history, and it is thought Jesus is referring to Peter, James, and John who would be present at the transfiguration.

(see Matthew 17:1-13)

Luke 9:1–20

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         The early part of Jesus’ ministry was focused on what came to be called the Twelve apostles. After some period with Him, He gave them power and authority to cast out demons and to heal.

2.         Jesus sent the twelve out then to first proclaim the kingdom of God, which is what the faithful Jewish people were looking for, and also to heal people of diseases.

3.         They were to travel ‘light,’ depending on God to supply their needs. He prepares them for not being received by all.

4.         Herod, a son of Herod the Great, heard about the activity of Jesus, and some thought Jesus was actually John the Baptist come back to life, as Herod had earlier beheaded John. Some thought Jesus was Elijah or another one of the prophets of old.

5.         When the Twelve returned from their mission, Jesus and the Twelve went out into a desolate area, and a large crowd followed them there. Well along in the day, Jesus’ disciples suggest He send them on their way home, but Jesus has something else in mind.

6.         He instructs the disciples to divide the thousands of people into groups of 50. Then with only 5 loaves of bread and two fish, the host of people are feed.

7.         At some later point following the feeding of the 5000, Jesus is alone with His disciples, and He asked them who the crowds think He is. John the Baptist, Elijah, or another of the prophets are mentioned by the disciples. Jesus however asks them who they think He is.

8.         Peter, likely speaking for them all states, “The Christ of God.” Or, to put it another way, The Messiah.

Luke 8:40–56

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Jesus sails west with His disciples across the Sea of Galilee, and a crowd is waiting for Him. Among these was a man named Jairus, an elder in the local synagogue. He implores Jesus to come to his house because his twelve-year-old daughter is dying.

2.         On their way, a seriously ill woman determines to touch Jesus as He is going toward the house of Jairus. As soon as she touches one of the four tassels hanging from the cloak of Jesus, she is completely healed.

3.         Jesus knows that He had been “touched” and at that moment the now healed woman understood that she could not slink away from the crowd, thus she comes to Jesus and falls at His feet. Jesus tells her, “Your faith has made your well; go in peace.”

4.         While this is all going on, a person comes from the house of Jairus and reports that to him that his daughter is dead. However, Jesus, overhearing the report, encourages Jairus to continue to believe that his daughter will be well.

5.         Upon arrival at the home, Jesus allows no one into the house except for Jairus and his wife, along with Peter, John, and James.

6.         Mourners were already weeping but Jesus says to not mourn, which mourning would be typical, but that the daughter is not dead but sleeping, at which the mourners literally laugh in Jesus’ face.

7.         Jesus says to the daughter, “Child arise.” She does, and Jesus asked that she be given something to eat. Everyone is astonished and Jesus asked them to tell no one what happened.