How Can I Help Jesus?

If you have your Bibles this morning, take them and turn to Luke 9:28.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “How Can I Help Jesus?”

 

In the recent weeks, we have been in Luke 9.  Remember that Jesus told His disciples that He was going to suffer and die.  See Luke 9:21-22

 

21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

 

Then, Jesus told His disciples that if they were going to follow Him, they would have to have lose their lives.  See Luke 9:24.

 

24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

 

Do you think Jesus’ most recent words made them a little anxious or apprehensive?  I would imagine so, and I imagine they were in need of some encouragement. 

 

How did Jesus encourage them?  He allowed them to experience a little bit of heaven on earth, and He told them that this is what He was going to do.  See Luke 9:27.

 

27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”

 

 

1. An Invitation to Pray, Luke 9:28

28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.

 

In verse 28, eight days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up to a high mountain to pray.  He did this after eight days and these sayings.

 

What sayings?  Peter had proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ from God.  See Luke 9:20.

 

20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

 

Then, Jesus invited these men to follow Him daily.  See 9:23.

 

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

 

John was Jesus’ closest disciple and best friend.  Peter, James, and John were the inner circle. 

 

Also, they were about to have a life-changing experience.  According to the OT, there should be 2-3 witnesses for such.  Therefore, these three were invited initially to pray.

 

Some say this mountain was Mt. Tabor.  Others say it was Mt. Hermon.  Regardless, it was a place where they would receive special revelation from God.

 

BTW…I believe it is absolutely imperative that you and I as followers of Christ be intentional in setting aside specific time to pray.  I would also discourage praying at night so as not to fall asleep because it is hard work.

 

On multiple occasions, these men fell asleep praying at night.  We see that in verse 32.  We will also see that in the Garden of Gethsemane.

 

 

1. A Demonstration of Heaven, Luke 9:28-33

29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 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. 32 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. 

 

Verse 29 says that when Jesus prayed, His face was altered and His robe became glistening white.  Mark used the word “transfigured.” 

 

The word “transfigured” literally means the figure is transformed.  Our English word is metamorphosis.  Jesus was changed from the inside out into a heavenly state. 

 

Verse 31 says Moses and Elijah appeared and where talking with Him.  Why Moses and Elijah?

 

First, God spoke to Moses and Elijah on Mt. Sinai in the OT just like we are going to see here with Jesus.  See Exodus 24:12-18 and 1 Kings 19:8-18.

 

 

12 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.”  13 So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God. 14 And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Indeed, Aaron and Hur are with you. If any man has a difficulty, let him go to them.” 15 Then Moses went up into the mountain, and a cloud covered the mountain.  16 Now the glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. 18 So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

 

8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.  9 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”  11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.  13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  14 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”  15 Then the Lord said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17 It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

Second, Moses symbolized the OT Law and gave the law to Israel.  Elijah symbolized the OT prophets and guarded the law for Israel. 

 

Third, Moses began the nation of Israel.  Elijah was supposed to usher Israel into eternity.

 

What were they talking about?  Verse 31 tells us that they were talking to Jesus about His departure. 

 

That word decease is the word “exodus” in the language of the NT.  It is interesting that Moses broke the literal chains of bondage through the exodus in the OT.  Jesus would break the spiritual chains of bondage through His exodus or death in the NT.

 

In verses 32-33 when Peter and the others woke up, he offered to make three tabernacles or tents or houses, one for each man: Elijah, Moses, and Jesus.  Why?

 

Peter wanted this experience to last so they would need someplace to stay.  He wanted this little bit of heaven on earth to last longer. 

 

Notice what Dr. Luke said at the end of verse 33.  These were his editorial comments. 

 

He said Peter didn’t know what he was saying.  Why was that?

 

Peter wanted heaven then and now.  However, that would have bypassed Jesus’ suffering.  Jesus HAD to suffer.  He HAD to die.

 

BTW…Don’t think you and I can have heaven on earth without suffering also.  Jesus had to go through some hell on earth to get to heaven.

 

If you’re longing for heaven, don’t be surprised if next month’s election result creates some future hellish experiences.  However, remember they might be necessary to get you closer to God’s Kingdom of Heaven.

 

 

• An Explanation about Salvation, Luke 9:34-36

34 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!” 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.

 

Verses 34-35 say a cloud from heaven came forth along with a heavenly voice making a bold declaration.  In the OT, clouds were a symbol of God’s presence.  In the NT, they are associated with Christ’s return. 

 

A voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, hear Him!”  Obviously, this was God the Father.

 

He was saying to listen Jesus.  However, what is implied is obedience to Jesus as well.

 

Keep in mind what these men had heard in the recent days.  He is the Christ.  Follow Him.  Now, God the Father was saying obey Him.

 

Then all of a sudden, the transfiguration was over, and the only one left was who?  Jesus! 

 

The prophets weren’t left.  The law wasn’t left.  Only Jesus alone was left.

 

BTW…If the Transfiguration was a picture of Christ in heaven, could it also be a picture of who will be in heaven?  Some have thought that Moses represented the OT Saints or those who died before Christ.  Peter, James, and John would be representative of the NT Saints or those who die after Christ.  Then Elijah would represent those Saints who would never taste death but, like Elijah, will be raptured to heaven.  Perhaps. 

 

When it comes to the act of salvation, we are tempted to think that Jesus needs our help.  However, Jesus stands alone by Himself. 

 

We can’t add anything to Him like works or baptism or performance.  Jesus doesn’t need one single thing from you to save you, and He doesn’t need one single thing from you to keep you saved.  You can’t help Jesus!

 

 

Conclusion

First, pray on earth.  Second, look forward to heaven.  Third, trust only Jesus to get you there!