The Road to Easter: The Day God’s Glory Shone Through
(NIV) 28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
The Transfiguration, to me, is one of the most compelling accounts from the New Testament. Jesus, along with James, John and Peter climb up a mountain. It is nighttime and the disciples grow sleepy. When awakened by voices, they witness Jesus in all of His glory, speaking with Moses and Elijah.
There are so many things we can take away from this encounter, which occurred on a mountaintop. Could it be that although much of our learning occurs in the valleys, or low points in our lives, we must climb up to the mountain tops to see things clearly?
Jesus had just recently explained, without parables or anything that would obscure His message, that He was going to be killed and rise again. Although the disciples needed to hear this, they were not ready. Jesus allowed these three men to witness this extraordinary moment to strengthen their faith. And it did.
The glory that Jesus had set aside when He took on humanity was now fully present as He spoke with the two men who had their own mountaintop experiences. Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets were the heavenly witnesses of Jesus the Christ, just as James, Peter and John were the earthly witnesses.
And then, as if nothing greater could happen, a cloud encompasses them all and God’s voice proclaims “this is my Son—listen to Him. In that very moment, the Old Testament is fulfilled and Jesus becomes the new and living way.
Oh, to see Jesus in all of His glory. It reminds me of the old hymn:
Oh, I want to see Him, look upon His face,
There to sing forever of His saving grace;
On the streets of glory let me lift my voice,
Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.
May we continue to listen to Him as we await His return.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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