Let these words sink in

FOCUSED BUT NOT FORMED

LET THESE WORDS SINK IN

***I am asking you to read through to verse 50 today and not 45 as the original plan established. Sorry about that, going to 50 makes more sense. ***

Yesterday, and now today, I am are struck by how in such short space we read of an amazing diversity of topics about and around Jesus. There can be so much to ponder. We have before us today the Transfiguration and the healing of a young boy with a demon. We have also Jesus again predicting his death…he did it earlier in this chapter and we read about it yesterday…and even more.

I want to point out just a little detail about Luke’s Gospel, if you do not have the time to read it, I suggest you skip down to the text of the Scripture and read the closing comment.

We have come to the end of the first major division of Luke’s Gospel, 9:50. Up to the point of 9:1-36 there are six main paragraphs:

·       9:1-6 – the 12 are sent out.

·       9:7-9 – Herod asks who Jesus is

·       9:10-17 – 5,000 people are fed

·       9:18-22 – Jesus is proclaimed as Lord at Caesarea Philippi

·       9:23-27 – the 12 are called to take up their cross and follow

·       9:28-36 – Jesus is transfigured and a heavenly voice declares he is who Peter proclaimed a moment ago.  

In the first, third, and fifth paragraphs we read about the Lord’s people, in the other paragraphs we read about the Lord himself. In many ways we are at the point where the picture of Jesus…just who he is…and what he is doing…is coming into focus.

We read in the early chapters of Luke the supernatural plan of God coming to fruition. We read a few chapters later of Jesus’ ministry and message…and in fact his beginning a new Israel with the calling of the 12 and the giving of his teaching…you might say his law. The miracles in chapter 8 can be seen as especially instructive to the new people he is calling, his church.

By the time we get through the Transfiguration, which you are about to read, things have been made pretty plain…we should be able to see Jesus…and respond.

But commentators note that while the goal is in sight, we will take a detour of sorts when we start the next major division of Luke. Why? It seems as if we are like the people following Moses, who while close to the Promised Land, are not yet ready to enter into it. The balance of chapter 9 highlights the situation.

We need more faith…the story of the boy needing healing points that out. We need more understanding…after Jesus says “let these words sink into your ears,” the text says they still did not understand. We need more humility…as an argument arose among them about who was the greatest. We need more tolerance…towards our brothers and sisters, those who are following God's Word. 

You may have noted I inserted the first person plural “we.” We need more…You might object and say it was the disciples who needed more. True enough. Then change my text to the first person singular. “I” need more. I do.

While the picture of Jesus is coming into sharp focus…I still need more forming…perhaps that is what Lent is partially about.

Take a read through text and I have a short closing thought.

The Transfiguration

²⁸ Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹ And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. ³⁰ And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, ³¹ who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³² Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. ³³ And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. ³⁴ As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” ³⁶ And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit

³⁷ On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. ³⁸ And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. ³⁹ And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. ⁴⁰ And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”⁴¹ Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” ⁴² While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. ⁴³ And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

Jesus Again Foretells His Death

But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus^[c]said to his disciples, ⁴⁴ “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” ⁴⁵ But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

Who Is the Greatest?

⁴⁶ An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.⁴⁷ But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side ⁴⁸ and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”

Anyone Not Against Us Is For Us

⁴⁹ John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.”⁵⁰ But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”

So here is Jesus before us…announced as Savior of the World…and by all accounts up to this point we read that he is beyond our wildest imaginations. I doubt we could have written a fiction that would come close to what Luke has carefully researched and presented.

Yet I am searching my heart given all I have read to this point…as to how much I have really taken in. Yes he is in focus in my mind’s eye…but he is still not formed in my heart. Not the way He desires. In some way that makes me appreciate him more…his forbearance and love of me…and with you. He gives us repeated opportunities to come to his word and learn…and even more to come to the Word made flesh who is our life and hope.