The Transfiguration

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

Song: Wonderful Jesus

The transformation of Jesus on the mountain was a sight to behold. Here was the Son of God, the veil of flesh removed and His glory manifest to the eyes of His closest disciples. The lawgiver, Moses, and the kingdom prophet, Elijah, were both present to bask in His glory. They represented not only the authority of the Law and Prophets which Jesus came to fulfill but the host of O.T. saints who rejoiced to see His day. The cloud passed, and with it Moses and Elijah. Only Jesus remained. “Hear ye Him!” was the Father’s message to the disciples, both then and now.

Moses, who had not crossed the Jordan, now stood in Canaan. It was not the promised land he saw, but the Promised One, the Messiah. Elijah, like Jesus’ cousin John, preached the return of the people to Jehovah as King, when they forsook Him for the false “lord,” Baal. Now he stood along with Moses conversing with the “I Am” concerning His exodus in Jerusalem and enthronement in glory.

“It’s good for us to be here,” cried Peter. “Let’s stay here rather than go up to Jerusalem,” was the gist of his exclamation. He liked the vision of Jesus in glory but not the path of suffering. Luke tells us, “He didn’t realize what he was saying.” The only way to glory, not for Jesus, but for man, was for Jesus to leave the mountain and march to Calvary. Had he remained heaven would be unpeopled. So Jesus left glory again to return only after our exodus from sin was accomplished.

Jason Moore