Word@Work Luke148 - Luke 9:28-32
Published: Fri, 07/16/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
GLORY ASSURED
Luke 9:28-32 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendour, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. (NIV)
Jesus had just promised the disciples that their faithfulness would be rewarded when He returned in glory. But was that an empty promise? Until then, everything He said had been fulfilled ... but they were effectively staking their whole lives on this one promise ... how could they be sure? The Lord, who knows everything, knew that they needed assurance in a way they could understand; and so He took Peter, James and John to pray with Him up a mountain. Although the disciples did not really know how to engage in prayer, and almost fell asleep, the changed appearance of Jesus made them fully alert.
This event was so memorable that Peter used it to comfort and strengthen churches under persecution. 2 Peter 1:16-18 says, "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye-witnesses of his majesty. For he received honour and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain."
Many religions encourage faithfulness in their followers, by promising good in the future. But how does anyone know that those promises can be fulfilled? Jesus showed that He could keep all His promises. He spoke of glory, and then showed himself in glory. Moses and Elijah, who had already prophesied about Jesus, now prophesied Him leaving the world as Saviour (in the same way that God led the Israelites out of Egypt to a new life). Jesus not only spoke of new life, but raised three people from the dead before He was also raised. The suffering of Jesus was vindicated by the resurrection - a great encouragement for the suffering church in the years to come. In short, Jesus' words are fully trustworthy. We, who believe in Jesus, have every reason to be completely confident that everything He said will be seen. And we have every reason to recommend Jesus to our friends and family, who have no such certainty.
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Thank You for having demonstrated the truth of Your promises to the apostles, so that their writings assure us of the validity of our faith. In those times when the pressure is on and when doubts unsettle our faith, thank You for Your Holy Word which gives us fresh confidence to trust Your promises and to continue living for Jesus, knowing that today's suffering will seem very small when we share in Your glory. Help me also to be aware of the hopelessness of those who cling to unsubstantiated promises, or who have given up hoping for any good future. May my courageous Jesus-filled life encourage many to turn to Him. In His Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Jesus had just promised the disciples that their faithfulness would be rewarded when He returned in glory. But was that an empty promise? Until then, everything He said had been fulfilled ... but they were effectively staking their whole lives on this one promise ... how could they be sure? The Lord, who knows everything, knew that they needed assurance in a way they could understand; and so He took Peter, James and John to pray with Him up a mountain. Although the disciples did not really know how to engage in prayer, and almost fell asleep, the changed appearance of Jesus made them fully alert.
This event was so memorable that Peter used it to comfort and strengthen churches under persecution. 2 Peter 1:16-18 says, "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye-witnesses of his majesty. For he received honour and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain."
Many religions encourage faithfulness in their followers, by promising good in the future. But how does anyone know that those promises can be fulfilled? Jesus showed that He could keep all His promises. He spoke of glory, and then showed himself in glory. Moses and Elijah, who had already prophesied about Jesus, now prophesied Him leaving the world as Saviour (in the same way that God led the Israelites out of Egypt to a new life). Jesus not only spoke of new life, but raised three people from the dead before He was also raised. The suffering of Jesus was vindicated by the resurrection - a great encouragement for the suffering church in the years to come. In short, Jesus' words are fully trustworthy. We, who believe in Jesus, have every reason to be completely confident that everything He said will be seen. And we have every reason to recommend Jesus to our friends and family, who have no such certainty.
Prayer: Dear Lord God. Thank You for having demonstrated the truth of Your promises to the apostles, so that their writings assure us of the validity of our faith. In those times when the pressure is on and when doubts unsettle our faith, thank You for Your Holy Word which gives us fresh confidence to trust Your promises and to continue living for Jesus, knowing that today's suffering will seem very small when we share in Your glory. Help me also to be aware of the hopelessness of those who cling to unsubstantiated promises, or who have given up hoping for any good future. May my courageous Jesus-filled life encourage many to turn to Him. In His Name. Amen.
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