Forming Faith Blog

Listening and Following (Luke 9)

Posted on February 18 2025 by Gregory Rawn
  • Date (Transfiguration): March 2, 2025
  • Bible Reading: Luke 9:28-45
  • The Point: The Messiah has come to serve and calls us to serve others.
  • Unit Theme (February 9—March 2): Jesus Heals
  • Date (Ash Wednesday): March 5, 2025
  • Bible Reading: Luke 9:51-62
  • The Point: Jesus’ disciples are called to follow him to the cross.
  • Unit Theme (March 5—April 18): The Journey to the Cross

As we celebrate Transfiguration Sunday and observe Ash Wednesday, we are reminded that we are called to listen to Jesus and follow him.

A man in red polo shirt sitting near chalkboard listening.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com
Heading towards Jerusalem 

The end of the season (of/after) Epiphany is here with Transfiguration Sunday followed shortly by Ash Wednesday. Epiphany is about Jesus’ revelation to the world, and this season is bracketed with direct statements from God at Jesus’ baptism (Luke 3:22) and now on the mountain (Luke 9:35). But even in the glory of the transfiguration, there is a seed of Lent and Holy Week.

Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

Luke 9:30-31

The journey to Jesus’ death and resurrection has begun.

Transfiguration Sunday

Listen to Jesus

After Jesus’ glorious manifestation, a cloud overshadows Peter, James, and John—perhaps like the pillar of cloud the Israelites followed in the desert or the cloud that filled the temple at its dedication. From this cloud, God spoke to the disciples, commanding them to listen to Jesus! And this listening is not just hearing the words that Jesus says but understanding, engaging, and responding to what he says (and does). 

What Does He Say?

Jesus, of course, says many things throughout the Gospel, and the disciples are meant to listen to all of them. But I’d say it’s unlikely that the Voice is referring to everything. I think it’s much more likely that God is referring to Jesus’ so-called “passion predictions” (a term I dislike since he is not predicting the future as much as telling them what will happen).

“The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Luke 9:22

Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

Luke 9:23

“Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.”

Luke 9:44

But, as we will see on the first Sunday of Lent, Jesus also has action steps for his followers to follow in both the Greatest Commandments (love God, love your neighbor) and even in Acts during his ascension (Acts 1:8, going and testifying).

We Should Listen, Too

Unlike the Twelve, we have the benefit of having the gospel story written out for us to see. We know how the story goes and how it ends. But we also have a responsibility to listen and act. Loving God and our neighbors, testifying to all that we have seen and heard about Jesus, and working for a world where everyone knows God’s love and shalom (having everything they need to thrive)—this is what we are called to do.

As we live out our faith in Jesus, we must pay attention to our unique callings, little and big. People around us can help us discern how our gifts, skills, and talents can serve God and others in big ways (like vocations) and small ways (acts of kindness and love).

Ash Wednesday

Headed to Jerusalem

Our reading for Ash Wednesday picks up a few sections later in Luke 9. 

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

Luke 9:51

This marks a turning point in the Gospel; everything from here happens on the way to Jerusalem, the cross, and the tomb. While I do not agree that Jesus’ entire purpose was to suffer, die, and rise again (which is one-dimensional), the upcoming events in Jerusalem make up the biggest part of the Gospel and his work.

Following Jesus

Jesus was a popular rabbi. People wanted to be around him, to go where he went. Some of these thought he was the messiah who would “restore the kingdom to Israel” (Acts 1:6) and wanted to be a part of that victory.

But Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem was not to take back the capital from the Romans, but to die, defeated, on a Roman cross. And following Jesus on this road would be difficult. It would be defined by self-denial (verse 23), homelessness (verse 58), and rejection of even the most foundational of family ties and obligations (verses 59-62). 

How Do We Follow?

There seem to be two types of followers in the Gospels. There are the literal followers who accompany him as he walks through Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. They experience the same hardships as Jesus and are called to the strict lifestyle he describes. But there are also the more metaphorical (but very real) followers, those who follow his way of love and faith but stay at home, take care of their families, and continue their daily work. Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42) are prime examples of this. Not all of Jesus’ statements apply the same way to both groups.

While some followers travel around doing Jesus’ work (missionaries and aid workers come to mind), most follow Jesus at home among family, friends, school, and work. But we are still called to listen to Jesus and live according to his callings. We practice our faith as we love God and love our neighbors, testifying to God’s love for all people in both word and deed.

As we move into Lent, let’s listen to Jesus and follow him.

In Christ’s love,

Gregory Rawn (Publisher)

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