Week of February 5, 2023
A More Glorious Exodus – Jesus’ Transfiguration
Jesus’ transfiguration was a showing forth of his divine glory to three of his disciples. It was also an opportunity for what had to be for those disciples, a surreal witnessing of Jesus’ conversation with the Old Testament heroes, Moses and Elijah. They talked about Jesus’ departure … literally his “exodus.” This conversation foreshadowed the strange glory of the cross and Jesus leading humanity to freedom through his death and resurrection.
February 6 Luke 9:28-33
Why do you think that it was Moses and Elijah who appeared with Jesus on the mountain of Jesus’ transfiguration? (you might want to check out your study Bible notes on this) What happened when Moses led the children of Israel in their exodus from Egypt? In what ways do the results of Jesus’ death and resurrection parallel those of Israel’s exodus? How does this make the cross of Jesus glorious?
February 7 Luke 9:34-36: Luke 3:21-23
What event in the life of Moses does the cloud on the mountain bring to mind? (if you’re not sure, see the Scripture for Thursday). What earlier event in the ministry of Jesus does the voice from heaven bring to mind? What clarity does this voice provide regarding the identity of Jesus? How would the experience of Jesus’ transfiguration have impacted the lives of those disciples, Peter, James, and John?
February 8 2 Peter 1:12-18
Peter wanted to make sure that his readers would remember the key parts of Jesus’ story of which he himself was an eyewitness. What made and continues to make the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life so important to Christians? Why might Peter have chosen to remind his readers of his having witnessed the transfiguration? How would the Father’s words regarding Jesus have been foundational to Peter’s faith? How are the words foundational for your faith?
February 9 Exodus 24:15-18, 34:29-35
Jesus’ transfiguration calls to mind Moses’ experience on Mount Sinai in the presence of God. What might the cloud say about God and our relationship with him? What about the fire? How did this extended time in God’s presence affect Moses? Obviously, Moses’ appearance anticipated that of Jesus. If not physical appearance, in what ways can we reflect divine glory to the world?
February 10 John 12:23-33
Here Jesus connects up his glory, not with the beauty of the transfiguration, but with the ugliness of the cross. What did Jesus mean when said in v.32, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself?” How then did Jesus’ suffering and death bring glory to God? How did Jesus’ resurrection bring glory to God?
