In a change of pace today, I thought I’d post a link to an online guest lecture I did on the Transfiguration of Jesus. It is part of the “God’s Glory, Our Delight” Gospel Spice series hosted by Stephanie Rousselle.
Click here to be taken to the hosted page for the study.
I originally recorded it 18 months ago (in the midst of the pandemic shutdown), and it was used in one of Stephanie’s online Bible podcasts for 150 or so listeners. Since then, her Gospel Spice podcast has grown by leaps and bounds. She asked if she could rebroadcast that presentation this week since the topic corresponds to the time of Succoth (aka Sukkot) or the Festival of Booths (aka Feast of Tabernacles), which began yesterday, October 9.
The texts for the study come from Matthew 17:1–9, combined with Mark 9:1–13 and Luke 9:27–36. So open your Bible and see how a look at the glory of God and the Transfiguration can transform your life. Set aside some time as the lecture, even though edited, is nearly an hour long.
Please note: I claim no originality with this lesson. It is a product of synthesizing numerous books and online resources (especially PreceptAustin.org). Any mistakes in the course of the lecture are mine. Some are the product of straying from my notes and speaking from memory while others are simply erroneous statements. Other Bible study lectures I’ve given are available at InnerAltar.com.
Below is the text from their website’s description of the lecture:
Stephanie welcomes a guest teacher as part of our God’s Glory, our Delight series. Steve Laube is joining us as a theologian and Bible teacher. Among many other things, Steve is a Sunday Class teacher with deep passion for delight in the glory of God, and decades of study in theology. He brings to us today his passion for Scripture and his eye for detail as we join Peter, James and John on the mountain to witness the once-in-history Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. Peter’s inkling to build “three tabernacles” (or “booths” or “tents”) when he witnessed the event and the presence of Moses and Elijah, might indicate that the transfiguration took place in the general season of the “fall festivals” of Jewish faith – the festival of succoth, or festival of booths, being preeminent among the Jewish fall festivals. Succoth starts in 2022 on October 9, so we are releasing this episode in conjunction with this beautiful celebration.
The Transfiguration is the most paramount event in the earthly life of Jesus Christ to reveal His glory. Through the eyes of Peter, James and John we are invited to experience delight in the glory of the One and Only begotten Son of the Father, on whom His glory and delight dwell. So we ask,
Why does the transfiguration matter to our faith today?
Why does it matter that Moses and Elijah showed up on the mountain with Jesus?
Why could they (and we) not stay on the mountaintop? Why do we need to descend back into the valley?
What does the Jewish festival of Succoth have to do with the Transfiguration?
Steve opens the texts of Scripture to us today to beckon us into an experience of delight in the glory of Jesus Christ.
Fun Fridays – October 7, 2022
On the Mountain is perfection,
the place where man and God come whole,
so, why, then, ’till the Resurrection
could the guys not tell a soul?
I think it’s all about completeness,
for the Way was not yet made;
told early, there would be false neatness
without the way man’s debt was paid,
for the raiments that He wore
(more white than laundryman could do!)
must first be washed in blood and gore,
that we might witness something new,
that the freshness of Rebirth
rises from a dull dun earth.
As always. A blessing.
Steve
Steve, thanks. Had to really pull on this one. The weekend was something of a crisis.
Steve, I listened to my friend Stephanie’s podcast yesterday during the drive home from a writer’s retreat. Surprise! You were there with this message. Glory…goodness. (A day later, I continue to stumble for words.) What an excellent teaching. It led me to study and worship, to commune with our Lord while traveling Texas highways. Time well spent–both the retreat and listening to the podcast episode. Last night, I mentioned it to my daughter who’s studying at Moody Bible Institute. No doubt, it’ll be music to her ears as well. Thank you, and carry on!
What a fun story! Glad you are a dedicated listener to Stephanie’s podcast already.
Steve, I want to speak honestly, but fear those who haven’t listened to your teaching will think I am just trying to flatter. Putting aside all fear . . ..
Listening to your teaching is like sitting down to a well-planned and well-prepared 7 course meal—after spending years munching on Doritos and chocolate cake.
Insightful. Thought-provoking. Intellectual—but accessible.
Glory. How do we give it while falling short of it? The weight of glory analogy! Why Moses and Elijah? (I always wondered that). Six vs. eight days — Matthew (Jewish) vs. Luke (Greek).
And the final prayer from the common Book of prayers. Beautiful.
Listen, my friends. It’s an hour well spent.
Thank you Robyn. May you return to this story of the transfiguration again and again as an inspiration in our work for His glory.
Steve
Thank you. I appreciate the encouragement, and I will—and I will always look at it in a new light.
Oooh, thanks for the link, Steve!