Thursday 12th June
Read Luke 9:28-33
“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 splendour, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfilment 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. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ (He did not know what he was saying.)” (NIVUK)
The transfiguration is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke and, to this day, it remains a little unclear exactly what happened and why. The simplest explanation arises from the context. Having told His disciples that suffering and death is part of His future, and part of theirs, hope of future glory is provided. They saw Jesus’ glory and would therefore hold up before the trials that follow. The transfiguration was gifted to them.
A second explanation, less self-centred perhaps, is that the transfiguration reflects a gift to Jesus Himself. Having spoken of Jerusalem and His fate Jesus knew the last stage in the divine plan was finally arriving. He would not be human if it was not troubling. We know from His prayers on another mountain in the garden of Gethsemane that it was. Moses and Elijah arrive to encourage and build Him up. They spoke specifically about His exodus. They spoke about the end of the biblical journey that they both began and contributed to.
Whether it was encouraging for the disciples and encouraging for their Lord is it also encouraging for us? When we read this story we realise that Jesus knew precisely what He was doing. He had counted the cost and deemed us worthy. He dimmed His glory to save us.
