On The Mount Of Transfiguration

Luke 9:28-36

“And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.” (Luke 9:28)

Jesus is God. So often we forget that fact. When Jesus took the three apostles with him to the mount of transfiguration, They got the opportunity to see him as God. They had already acknowledged him as the Messiah, but now he will be revealed to them as God. As one of the three who saw this, John was especially equipped to write his statements in John 1:1-5. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

As a result of his experience, John puts more emphasis on the deity of Christ than any other New Testament writer, although all recognize him as such. John continues to make it clear in John 1:10-14. “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

Jesus appears in some of his normal glory, and the apostles saw it. His very appearance changed, and so did the appearance of his clothing. I am sure you’ve seen something that appears really white and clean until a fresh snowfall. Suddenly the item looks kind of dingy and discolored by comparison, and not nearly so bright. Apparently the change even in his clothing was somewhat similar, making the normal earthly look pretty poor and dull. To top it all off, Jesus is seen consulting with two of the most highly respected of the Jewish prophets of history, clearly establishing his standing. No one else alive at that time even pretended to know them personally.

“And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:29-31)

Like most of us people, the apostles only awoke to the fact that something important was happening late in the game. As a result they missed most of what happened, just catching a fleeting view of his glory before Moses and Elijah left. How often are we so caught up in our own needs an desires we miss most of what God is doing?

“But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.” (Luke 9:32-33)

Peter is a very impetuous person, often beginning to speak or act without considering the results. It is an automatic response to pressure or tension. Typically, he recommends making three places of worship without considering the implications of his suggestion. He just has to do something when stressed, so in this case he speaks out because of his fear, Mark 9:6 explains, “For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.”

“While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.” (Luke 9:34-36)

The fear of all was undoubtedly increased when God spoke from heaven. At Jesus’ baptism God announced that Jesus was his son. He repeats the statement here. The apostles heard it at this time, and Peter refers to it in II Peter 1:16-18. “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.”

It clearly made an impression, but they told no one until after the resurrection because Jesus instructed them not to in Matthew 17:9. “And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.” Though he has told them repeatedly that he is to be killed, the apostles do not understand. Teachers and preachers often become frustrated that people do not understand when they have been so very clear, but until the mind is prepared, it rejects mere words. The apostles were just like the rest of us. “And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.” (Mark 9:10)