TRANSFIGURATION CONVERSATION

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

During His transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared on the mount with the Lord Jesus. Our verse tells us about the conversation Moses and Elijah had with the Lord Jesus. Thus, we want to note the subject of the conversation and the spirituality of the conversation.

Subject of the conversation – “Spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” While all three synoptic Gospels tell us that Moses and Elijah talked with the Lord Jesus, only Luke tells us what the conversation was about. The subject of the conversation was about Calvary. They spoke of the coming death of the Lord Jesus and the city of His death. First, the coming of Christ’s death: “Decease” spoke of the Lord’s death which would occur about a year from the transfiguration. Interestingly enough, the word “decease” means exodus and Moses had a lot to do with the word “exodus.” Second, the city of Christ’s death: “Jerusalem.” This is tragic since Jerusalem had more spiritual privileges than any other city, yet they were poor stewards of those privileges and ended up crucifying the Lord Jesus. If we do not use our spiritual privileges as we ought, we will end up doing terrible things.

Spirituality of the conversation - This conversation between the Lord Jesus and Moses and Elijah on the mount was all about spiritual matters. They did not talk about the weather or politics or sports. The spirituality of this conversation is really a rebuke to believers. How little do we talk about spiritual matters. While it is true that living here on earth necessitates conversing about many things which are temporal and material, yet it is also true that God’s people talk much about the things of this world and are more interested in matters of this world than spiritual matters. As an example, if you were to listen to the men’s conversation at church on Sunday morning in the church vestibule, you are more likely to hear about sports and business than about spiritual matters. The women are no better. Gossip not the Gospel will often dominate their conversation. Lack of spiritual talk indicates a lack in our spiritual devotion.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“When we share Christ, the Truth behind our transformation, we are offering people an opportunity to be transformed!”

David Jeremiah (1941 - )

American Evangelical Christian Author, Theologian and Pastor

Word Study

Eyewitnesses

In 2 Peter 1:16 we read, “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" (NKJV).

“Eyewitnesses” is the Greek word epóptēs (ἐπόπτης = ep-op'-tace). It is made up of two words: “epi” which means upon or over, and “optanomai” which means to see or perceive. Literally, the word means an ‘over seer,’ a spectator or eyewitness of anything Thus, the word refers to those who have first-hand knowledge of something; it is those who see with their eyes, implying careful scrutiny or of being a watchful observer.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“But the angel said unto him, fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John” (Luke 1:13 KJV).

Did You Know…

When the Lord Jesus sent out the 12 disciples, they were to take nothing for the journey – “no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts;” they were only allowed to take a staff (Mark 6:8).

Bible Quiz

Where did the Lord Jesus say you put a lit candle?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: Who was the man who tried to kill all the Jews at the time of Esther? Haman (Esther 3:6).

Names For the Lord Jesus in the Bible

“QUICKENING SPIRIT”

"And so it is written, the first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit” (1 Cor. 15:45 NJKV).

1. Meaning – QUICKENING SPIRIT speaks of the Lord Jesus as the source of the spiritual life that will result in believers’ resurrection; He is the divine origin of the resurrection.

2. Insights – “Last Adam” is a rabbinic expression used for the Messiah. The Apostle Paul’s point is clear - through the first Adam we receive our natural bodies and through the last Adam we will receive our spiritual resurrection bodies. While Adam gave natural life to all mankind, the Lord Jesus gives supernatural life or spiritual life to all who would believe in Him. Those who believe in the Lord Jesus bear His image and are destined to die only once, but then live forever. Further, the first Adam was given the breath of life. The Lord Jesus Christ, the last Adam, has the power to give life. The Lord Jesus Christ is the complete fulfillment of the first Adam.

Did You Know – Christian History

Eusebius of Vercelli was born March 2, 283 in Sardinia, Italy. He was an Italian bishop and along with Athanasius, affirmed the divinity of the Lord Jesus against Arianism.

Eusebius grew up during the years of religious strife. After his father died in prison, a martyr for the faith, Eusebius (not the famous church historian) was reared in Rome, where he was ordained as a lector (a person with responsibility to publicly read the scriptures). Later he served at Vercelli in Piedmont, Italy. He was so zealous that when the bishop of Vercelli died, Eusebius was unanimously chosen to take his place.

Although the council of Nicea of 325 proved that scripture teaches the deity of the Lord Jesus, was of the same substance and duration as God the Father, the Arian heresy would not go away. Eusebius was sent by Liberius, bishop of Rome, to persuade the emperor to call a council to settle the issue once for all. When it was called at Milan, Eusebius went reluctantly, sensing that the Arian delegation would have its way. He refused to go along with the condemnation of Saint Athanasius; instead, he laid the Nicene Creed on the table and insisted that all sign it before taking up any other matter. The emperor put pressure on him, but Eusebius insisted on Athanasius’ innocence and reminded the emperor that secular force should not be used to influence Church decisions.

At first the emperor threatened to kill him, but later sent him into exile in Palestine. There the Arians dragged him through the streets and shut him up in a little room, releasing him only after his four-day hunger strike. They resumed their harassment shortly after. His exile continued in Asia Minor and Egypt, until the new emperor permitted him to be welcomed back to his jurisdiction in Vercelli. Eusebius attended the Council of Alexandria with Athanasius and approved the leniency shown to bishops who had wavered. He also worked with Saint Hilary of Poitiers against the Arians. For the last ten years of his life, Eusebius traveled widely, preaching the truth and seeking to restore the Nicene Creed throughout the length and breadth of the Roman Empire. Eusebius died peacefully in his own diocese at what was then considered an advanced age.

A Little Humor

A godly farmer was asked to dine with a well-known gentleman. While there, he asked a blessing at the table as he was accustomed to do at home. His host said jeeringly, “That is old fashioned; it is not customary nowadays for well-educated people to pray before they eat.” The farmer answered that with him it was customary, but that some of those on his farm never prayed over their food. “Ah, then,” said the gentleman, “They are sensible and enlightened. Who are they?” “My pigs,” the farmer answered.

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning, and our future is secured!”