Knowing The Word in Luke 9:28-36, The Transfiguration

Several traditions exist about which exact mountain is the setting for the Transfiguration. Jesus is joined on the mountain with the great law-giver, Moses, and the great representative of the prophets, Elijah. Both these men were Old Testament figures who pointed toward Jesus. They were shadows of whom Jesus is the fulfilment. Only Luke tells us that the mountain top conversation was about the death of Jesus. In this great and glorious moment, we see that the central event in biblical history is the death of Jesus. Luke uses the word “exodus,” translated here as “departure,” showing that Jesus’ death would deliver his people from a worse bondage than slavery. Peter wanted to maintain and remember the overwhelming experience, but his tents were, in a sense, pathetic in comparison to the event. God speaks to let everyone know that Jesus is different from the other two and everyone else, and he commands us to listen to Jesus in all things.

28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 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. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

Prayer:

O thou who camest from above,

The pure celestial fire to impart,

Kindle a flame of sacred love

On the mean altar of my heart.

There let it for thy glory burn

With inextinguishable blaze,

And trembling to its source return

In humble prayer and fervent praise.

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)