Praying With Jesus! Lk. 9:28-36
14 February, 2010
Praying With Jesus! Lk. 9:28-36
Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, taking along Peter, James and John. For these three men, this was an opportunity to get some sleep. “And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. … but when they became fully awake they saw his glory … And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” Don’t fall sleep during prayer time. You may experience Jesus in all His glory and hear the voice of God! One thing is very clear from the gospels; Prayer was very, very important to Jesus!
Jesus prayed at His baptism. Lk.3:21,22 Jesus prayed early in the morning. Lk.4:42 Jesus prayed all night. Lk.6:12 He prayed before asking the disciples an important question. Lk.9:18-20 “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” Jesus prayed as He revealed His glory to Peter, John and James. Lk.9:29-32 “Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.” We also know Jesus prayed at the Lord’s Supper, in the garden, on the cross, after the resurrection Lk.24:30, and that even today, He is praying for us! Heb 7:25 “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
Three times in the New Testament, the prayers of Jesus are answered with the voice of God the Father speaking from heaven! Each time it has to do with revealing to His disciples that He is the Messiah, the Son of God. Each time it also has to do with the cross. Jesus is praying after His baptism. God speaks, Lk. 3:22 “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Jesus was saying in His baptism; I am the Lamb of God. I will be crucified, be buried and rise again for the sin of men. Jesus prayed before asking the disciples the question: Who do you say I am? He began to tell them what being the Messiah was all about. Lk.9:22-23 “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ” And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Eight days later Jesus would take three of His disciples up on a mountain to pray. There as He was praying, they would see Him in His glory. Peter would write. 2Pe 1:17-18 “For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” “We ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.” One more time the voice of the Father is heard from heaven in answer to the prayers of His Son. Jn.12:28 “Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it , and will glorify it again.” The name of the Father would be glorified by the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection! There we see the true depth of the love, mercy, justice and holiness of God!
If Jesus prayed, prayed, and prayed again that the disciples might understand and see the glory of the cross; How can we expect our friends, family and neighbors to believe in Jesus, unless we pray for them. Their eyes are blinded to the light of His glory! Let us pray and share the word of God, that they might receive their spiritual sight. Their hearts are hard and their ears are closed but Jesus can heal such cases! Let us pray with Jesus. Jn.12:28 “Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it , and will glorify it again.” Amen.