Discipleship and the Transfiguration Luke 9:23-36

This post discusses discipleship and the transfiguration of Jesus.

‘Discipleship and the Transfiguration’ as a post provides two important lessons for Jesus’ disciples, namely how to be a disciple and who to listen to. Jesus continues the training of the disciples for the future trauma of the cross. In these verses, Jesus discusses the requirements of  discipleship, Luke 9:23. “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

When Jesus said earlier that He would be killed, it involved a giant, future reversal from His current fame. Now, Jesus explains that His disciples would also have to experience a reversal by denying themselves. This meant they should die to personal pleasure and goals and, like Jesus, take up their crosses and follow Him. When Jesus went to the cross, He obeyed His heavenly Father. In the same way, His disciples must also obey Jesus.

Therefore, saving of life on earth without obedience to Jesus meant a lost life in eternity.

Losing or submerging personal goals to follow Jesus provides heaven.

So, profiting to the point of gaining the entire world would be a poor trade if one’s soul was lost. Likewise, after the cross, if a disciple showed shame of Jesus’ death or his teachings, he should expect shame from Jesus on the day of judgment.

Jesus’ death and the establishment of the kingdom (church) would come in the near future. Some of the apostles would live until its establishment—see Acts 2.

Then, three disciples saw the transfiguration, a miraculous presentation of glory for Jesus—seeing Jesus’ altered appearance and dazzling clothing. Note that Moses and Elijah spoke to Jesus of his departure, namely, His ascension from the earth.

Impressed, Peter wanted to build three booths to honor Jesus, the lawgiver Moses, and the prophet Elijah. The voice of God corrected this mistake, Luke 12:35. “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”

Then, Jesus, left alone at the end signified Jesus and His words as their guide.

So, what did we learn?

1.Disciples should give up self to serve Jesus.

2.God authenticated listening to Jesus as His Son.

For more on the Bible click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#giveUpSelf #MosesElijah #transfiguration #listenToJesus