What Jesus Did : Luke 9:28-31 - Fulfilling God's Plan
by Phil Ware
Fulfilling God's Plan - Luke 9:28-31
About eight days after Jesus said these things, he took Peter, James, and John and went up on a mountain to pray. While Jesus was praying, his face began to change. His clothes became shining white. Then two men were talking with Jesus. The men were Moses and Elijah. Moses and Elijah were shining bright too. They were talking with Jesus about his death that would happen in Jerusalem. (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
The glorious appearance of Moses and Elijah happens while Jesus is praying. Their mission appears to be one of affirmation. They are there to reinforce Jesus' conviction that he must go to Jerusalem and face rejection and death. This was not a new plan, however, but was the fulfillment of something God had planned much earlier. Jesus is not delusional. Jesus does not have a death wish. Jesus is not blindly ambitious and unaware of what awaits him. Jesus is headed to Jerusalem to do the will of God and fulfill the promises God had made over the centuries through his prophets. Jesus is the great reminder that God keeps his promises!
Today's Prayer
Father, thank you for your constant faithfulness to your promises. I am not used to people who scrupulously keep their word. Thank you for setting such a clear standard. Help me remember your faithfulness in those times when my life is hard and things are not going well. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
About eight days after Jesus said these things, he took Peter, James, and John and went up on a mountain to pray. While Jesus was praying, his face began to change. His clothes became shining white. Then two men were talking with Jesus. The men were Moses and Elijah. Moses and Elijah were shining bright too. They were talking with Jesus about his death that would happen in Jerusalem. Peter and the others were asleep. But they woke up and saw the glory of Jesus. They also saw the two men that were standing with Jesus. When Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter said, "Master, it is good that we are here. We will put three tents here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (Peter did not know what he was saying.) While Peter was saying these things, a cloud came all around them. Peter, James, and John became afraid when the cloud covered them. A voice came from the cloud. The voice said, "This is my Son. He is the One I have chosen. Obey him." When the voice finished, only Jesus was there. Peter, James, and John said nothing. At that time they told no person about what they had seen. The next day, Jesus, Peter, James, and John came down from the mountain. A large group of people met Jesus. A man in the group shouted to Jesus, "Teacher, please come and look at my son. He is the only child I have. An evil spirit {from the devil} comes into my son, and then he shouts. He loses control of himself and he foams from the mouth. The evil spirit continues to hurt him and almost never leaves him. I begged your followers to make the evil spirit leave my son, but they could not do it." Jesus answered, "You people that live now have no faith. Your lives are all wrong. How long must I be with you and be patient with you?" Then Jesus said to the man, "Bring your son here." While the boy was coming, the demon threw the boy to the ground. The boy lost control of himself. But Jesus gave a strong command to the evil spirit. Then the boy was healed. And Jesus gave the boy back tohis father. All the people were amazed at the great power of God. The people were still amazed about all the things Jesus did. Jesus said to his followers,-- Luke 9:28-43 (ERV)
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