An Experience of a Lifetime

An Experience of a Lifetime | January 16, 2022 Sermon

Luke has been gradually revealing to us the identity of Jesus Christ. People had different views—He is John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets come back to life. But by the revelation of God, Peter proclaimed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Luke 9:20; Matt. 16:17). Immediately after Peter’s confession, Jesus told the disciples of His impending death and resurrection, which shocked them and they did not understand what He was talking about, in spite of His repeated references to it. They understood Christ as King, but they did not yet understand that He first must suffer and then enter into His glory. Jesus also has made it plain that those who follow Him must follow in the way of the cross (Luke 9:23-26). Jesus did not come to please Himself, but to do the will of the Father, which ultimately included the cross. Those who are His disciples must also deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him, even if it means persecution or death. In today's text, Jesus takes three of His closest disciples (Peter, James, and John) with Him up the mountain for prayer and have an experience of a lifetime.