Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Read Luke 9:37-45.
TEXT: (Jesus said) "Let these words sink into your
ears: the Son of Man is about to be delivered into
the hands of men" (Luke 9:44).

Coming down with His three disciples from the
Mountain of Transfiguration, Jesus encounters a
demon His other disciples are unable to cast out.
With divine might and majesty, Jesus overpowers
the demon and sends him away. The crowd is
completely amazed and stands marveling at what
God has done. Jesus knows His disciples are still
clinging to hopes of an earthly kingdom, and He
doesn't want them to get swept away by the
excitement of the crowds. So He turned to talk
directly to them. To get their attention He could
have easily said, "Listen carefully." Instead, He
says something even more striking: "Let these
words sink into your ears."

And what are the extremely important words
Jesus has to tell them? They are these: "The
Son of Man is about to be delivered into the
hands of men." Despite their dreams, and the
hope of the crowd following them, Jesus' suffering
is close at hand. He is "about to be delivered into
the hands of men."
But Jesus reveals one more painful fact about His
coming suffering He did not reveal the first time:
it will come about through an act of betrayal. Of
course, Jesus knows the identity of His betrayer,
but He withholds that information for now. Not only
will He be rejected and, consequently, subjected
to violent brutalities and death, but treachery will be
connected with these events as well.

The disciples fail to understand and are afraid to
ask Jesus anything about it. The suspense is
building as Jesus' destiny and our salvation draw
near.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, Your Son single-mindedly set His
steps to fulfill Your plan to save the world. Give me
an unwavering faith to follow Him all my days. In
Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Scripture:

Read Luke 9:28-36.
TEXT: And as He was praying, the appearance of
His face was altered, and His
clothing became dazzling white (Luke 9:29).

Eight days after Jesus predicted His death and
resurrection He takes three disciples up a mountain
where He is transfigured before them. Peter had
called him the Christ of God. Now he can look
upon the glorious face of God's eternal Son. Jesus
always had this glory, but from His conception until
that very moment it had been hidden behind His
humanity. Now for a brief moment it bursts forth on
the mountain.

This glorious sight might strengthen Peter, James
and John's false dream of Jesus reigning over a
glorious, earthly kingdom. But Moses and Elijah-two
great leaders from the Old Testament-stand
speaking with Jesus about His departure and how
He will complete His earthly mission through His
death, resurrection and ascension. Peter, James
and John awaken. Seeing Moses and Elijah
beginning to leave, Peter blurts out his desire to
build three shelters, so they can stay.

Suddenly, a bright cloud envelopes Jesus and the
three disciples. And from the cloud the voice of the
Father speaks out, "This is My Son, My Chosen
One; listen to Him!" Jesus has much to teach them-
and us-about our earthly life and how He will lay
down His life, so we might live forever with Him.

After the voice had spoken Jesus was again alone
with them, back to His normal, veiled appearance.
He then leads them down the mountain on the path
that will take Him to the cross.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, in Jesus' transfiguration we see His
full glory as Your mighty and eternal Son.
Strengthen my trust in Him as my Savior, so I may
see His glory face-to-face in heaven. I pray in
Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)