[Propertalk] Feb. 14 sermon pointers - Luke 9 - Part 4

[Joe Parrish]

And so we meaning-making, meaning-seeking people of faith can't resist our need to ask, "What does this story mean?" Commentators seem to agree that we are told, with Peter, James, and John, to "listen to him!" Jeffrey L. Tribble, Sr., urges us to be faithful to our experience of God by being clear, as Jesus was, about our identity and our mission, and not to be deterred "by cultural measures of success" in our ministry, rather, to "be encouraged by the disciples' faithfulness to be present with Jesus" (Feasting on the Word). 

http://www.ucc.org/worship/samuel/february-14-2010.html

Kate Huey
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Luke also presents us with the reactions of Peter, John and James. Only he indicates they were very tired - those who knew the Gethsemane story might have sensed an echo here. Tiredness frequently represented spiritual tiredness. Fortunately they became sufficiently awake to see the glory. Peter's building suggestion is enigmatic. Mark indicates Peter did not know what to say; Luke suggests he did not know what he was saying, as though there is some meaning to be found here and Peter was not as dumb as he appears in Mark. Peter's proposal finds its echoes in many committees today: let's build more buildings. Luke may mean the hearer to catch the allusion to the wilderness booths. Nor are the disciples afraid at this point, as in Mark. They become afraid when they entered the cloud. 

http://wwwstaff.murdoch.edu.au/~loader/LkTransfiguration.htm

William Loader
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...this is the only opportunity in the three-year cycle to look at this miracle. The parallel verses (Mt 17:14-21; Mk 9:14-29) are not assigned to any festival in RCL. 

http://www.crossmarks.com/brian/luke9x28.htm

Brian P. Stoffregen 
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Robert Tannehill suggests that in Luke's version the scene also has significance for Jesus, since he "is discussing with Moses and Elijah the future course of his own life." The reader must therefore imagine that Jesus' prayer and the conversation entail "a process of preparation and planning.a search for God's will disclosed in scripture" through which Jesus "is seeking and being given the clarity of purpose which will enable him to 'set his face to go to Jerusalem' (9:51)."

http://www.goodpreacher.com/shareit/readreviews.php?cat=28

Russell Pregeant
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In regard to Jesus "changed" appearance, Mark uses metamorphothe, but Luke uses heteron.  The two words are quite similar in meaning.  Metamorphothe means "changed, metamorphosized," while heteron means "changed, different, other, altered."  
Luke may have made the change because he will accent "seeing" in his account.  

http://www.progressiveinvolvement.com/progressive_involvement/2010/02/lectionary-blogging-the-transfiguration-luke-9-2836.html

John Petty, 2010
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Recently [January 11, 2010] CNN reported http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2010/01/11/pn.depressed.after.avatar.cnn?iref=allsearch that a number of moviegoers experience an emotional letdown (and in some cases a deeper depression) after seeing the movie Avatar. It seems that many of them, especially those who saw the movie in 3D, were taken with the sheer beauty of the world James Cameron has created and found themselves wishing that the Avatar world of fantasy were real.  Thought the movie is some three hours long, I can imagine moviegoers remaining in their seats as the closing credits rolled, not quite ready to make the transition from the beauty and brilliance of Avatar to the chaotic and cluttered world in which we all live.  Yet, it always happens: the screen goes black and the house lights come on, jarring us back into the real world.  We notice disgustedly that our shoes are sticking to the floor and someone has spilled popcorn in the seats.  With one last wistful glance at a dark movie screen we put on our jackets and head for the exits.  Is it so strange for us to want to linger in a more beautiful world for just a little bit longer?  Can we blame Peter, James, and John for wanting the same thing?  

'Some people say they've experienced depression --even had suicidal thoughts-- after watching the movie "Avatar."'

http://reflectious.com/2010/02/07/first-look-luke-928-36-37-43/

Lee Koontz, 2010
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