“The Just Shall Live By Faith”

New King James Version                          Written by: David Hicks

 

Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."

Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

“Articles of Faith"

An Orderly Account Of The Greatest Story Ever Told

(A Study in Luke)

Chapter 9:30-36:

In our previous lesson, we began to study the transfiguration of Jesus (also found in Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9: 2-13). He has taken Peter, John, and James; and gone up on a mountain to pray. While on the mountain and as He was praying His appearance was altered.

Let's review the meaning of the term transfiguration:

“The term transfiguration is used to describe this event and is used in Matthew's and Mark's account of this event (see: Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13). The term comes from the Greek word, ‘Metamorphoo' and means, “to change into another form”. Here Luke describes it as, “the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening” .

Matthew's account would describe it this way, “His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light” (Matthew 17:2).

Mark's account would describe it this way, “His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.” (Mark 9:3).”

Peter tells us that the change in the form of the Lord was for the sole purpose of displaying His majesty to these who were privileged to witness it, so that they in turn could testify of His majesty (II Peter 1:16-18). We will also see that at the end of this portion of chapter nine, they were commanded not to testify of these events until the He was raised from the dead (Matthew 17:9), as He would ascend to the throne of heaven until after His resurrection (Acts 2:33-36).

We pick up in this lesson as Luke introduces other figures that have appeared with the Lord.

Text #1:

Luke 9:30-31 “And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”

Note: Luke, by inspiration records without doubt that these two men talking with the Lord are in fact Moses and Elijah. However, there is much speculation concerning how Peter was able to recognize Moses and Elijah having never seen them. Some say that recognition came by the conversation, while others conclude that it was miraculous sight. None of the three accounts of the transfiguration dwells on how, only that they were recognized for who they were and that becomes the important fact.

Spoke of His decease: The significance of the subject of conversation consists in the understanding that the Law of Moses and the prophets all pointed to the Messiah and what He would accomplish on behalf of all men; Moses being symbolic of the Law and Elijah of the prophets. Jesus would return to this thought after His resurrection, note:

Luke 24:44 “Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”

Text #2:

Luke 9:32-33 “But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. 33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.”

Heavy with sleep: Peter, James, and John had not been able to stay awake as this began. Luke's is the only account to add this little known fact. Luke does not tell us how long they were in this condition, only that they did become fully awake to witness this event.

They were parting: Luke is the only one who recognizes that it was as Moses and Elijah was starting to leave that Peter acted. As nothing in the scriptures is accidental or without importance, we might well understand that this might have been recorded to instruct us that the Law and the Prophets were fading away as the Lord was being elevated over them.

Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

Three Tabernacles: Peter's fears overcame his discretion, but did not silence his tongue. Though he seemed to understand the uniqueness of this fellowship, he did what many Jews had also been doing with the identity of Jesus; he simply saw Him as another great prophet. Thus He suggests that three arbors be made, one for each. Luke does denote to Peter's defense that he was unaware of what had been said before he was awake enough to realize what was happening.

Jesus would not respond to Peter's request; Peter would receive a greater answer to His inquiry than even Jesus could give!

Text #3:

Luke 9:34-35 “While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

Cloud: Clouds in the scriptures very rarely had anything to do with the weather, but had great significance in symbolism. Here the cloud is the cloud of glory, which was the symbol of God's peculiar presence.

Exodus 40:34-35 

The Cloud and the Glory (Hebrew - ‘Shechinah' ).

34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

They were fearful: Here Luke records the natural response to the presence of God, note Matthew's remarks:

Matthew 17:6 “And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.”

After everything was over the Lord would come and tell these disciples that they should arise and let their fear subside (Matthew 17:7).

A Voice: The statement of God's voice coming out of the cloud contains the significance of the entire scene. Spoken in the presence of Moses and Elijah, it gave Jesus preeminence which a Son has over servants. He is to be heard! His words have preeminence over those of the lawgiver and the prophets.

Hebrews 1:1-3 “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”

In addition, remember that Peter tells us this voice honored Jesus by declaring His majesty, note:

2 Peter 1:16-17 “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Text #4:

Luke 9:36 “When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.”

As we already mentioned, Jesus would intervene and assist them in regaining their composure. Luke here says they kept quiet about these events, but we learn in Matthew and Marks account that the Lord commanded them not to speak of these events until after His resurrection.

Matthew 17:9 “Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”

Mark 9:9 “Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead.”

The people were not yet ready to accept these events as even His own chosen had yet to understand the Lord as the Messiah and King. In addition, it was completely premature to announce these things until all had been accomplished to bring it about, especially the final stamp of approval that He was the Christ the Anointed of God, by resurrection from the dead!

Romans 1:1-5 “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,”

Next: “Jesus Continues to Demonstrate His Power and Purpose”