Luke 9:28–36 (ESV)
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.
One of the best gifts in life is watching a small child encounter something completely new: bubbles, the light switch, the television remote (how can they possibly mess up your TV so bad in just a couple of minutes?), a dog or cat, a new food, and my personal favorite, their shadow.
Often, when a child encounters something new, they have varied responses. Sometimes, there may be joy, and other times, a mixture of curiosity and fear.
Curiosity and fear: I think that’s what the disciples experience in this passage. They were overwhelmed by what was happening and completely unsure of how to process what they were seeing and hearing. They had been watching Jesus unveil the Kingdom of God in incredible ways. Their eyes were being opened to not only the reality of the Kingdom of God but also to Jesus as the Messiah.
I love Peter’s response because he was doing his best to process this awe-inspiring moment. Peter was filled with fear and awe, didn’t know what to say, and, as usual, said the wrong thing. However, we should be understanding after all because what does one say and do in this situation?
The glory of the Lord was being revealed at that moment, and the words of the Lord confirm Peter's confession, which we had just read about earlier in the chapter: Jesus is the Messiah. This whole scene would raise hope, as the presence of Moses and Elijah would signal to Jewish people that God is fulfilling His promises. The Kingdom of God had drawn near, and it is breaking into the world in the presence of Jesus. However, the fulfillment of God’s promises is not going to happen in the way the disciples are expecting. The shadow of the cross is already present after Peter’s confession, and we’ll soon see that shadow again.
There is another interesting note that I had never considered before, one that N.T. Wright spoke about in his commentary on this passage. Wright wrote that the transfiguration stands in parallel and contrast to the crucifixion, and I would like to share his thoughts with you.
Here, on the mountain, is Jesus, revealed in glory; there, on a hill outside Jerusalem, is Jesus, revealed in shame.
Here, his clothes are shining white; there, they have been stripped off and soldiers have gambled for them.
Here Jesus is flanked by Moses and Elijah, two of Israel’s greatest heroes representing the law and the prophets; there, he is flanked by two brigands, representing the level to which Israel had sunk in rebellion against God.
Here, a bright cloud overshadows the scene; there, darkness comes upon the land.
Here, Peter blurts out how wonderful it all is; there Peter is hiding in shame after denying he even knows Jesus.
Here a voice from God Himself declares that this is His wonderful Son; there, a pagan solider declares, in surprise, that this really was God’s Son.
Learn to see the glory in the cross; learn to see the cross in the glory; and you will have begun to bring together the laughter and the tears of the God who hides in the cloud, the God who is to be known in the strange person of Jesus Himself.
The point of it all? To recognize the love, grace, mercy, and of the Lord in Jesus: to listen to Jesus’ voice and to follow wherever He leads.
God bless you, and know that you are constantly in my prayers!
Scott