THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS CHRIST

LUKE 9:28–36

About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning

(Luke 9:28–29).

There are few moments in the life of Jesus that are more mysterious than the Transfiguration. It is so strange and hard to understand that some modern scholars have suggested that this event is a post-resurrection appearance of Jesus that has been inserted here. It is clear from the Gospels, however, that this event took place during Jesus’ pre-resurrection ministry.

The Context of the Transfiguration

Luke 9:28 says that the Transfiguration happened “about eight days after Jesus said this.” What is the event that took place eight days before? Jesus had asked the disciples who they thought He was. Peter had answered that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus had then told the disciples that He was going to suffer and die, but also that He was going to be glorified (Luke 9:18–27).

The Revelation of Jesus as God

Now Jesus had come to a mountain with Peter, John, and James. And as He was praying, a visible change took place in Jesus. His body and His clothes began to glow with an effulgence of glory. What was happening here? We are reminded of how Moses’ face shown after he came down from spending time with God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:29–35).

But this is not just a man whose face is shining and radiating after being close to God. Here we have the divine nature of Christ breaking through His human vessel and displaying the majesty and the glory of His inner person. We know this because the imagery in the text here is what is used again and again in the rest of Scripture to describe the outward manifestation of the glory of God Himself.

CORAM DEO

Peter says that the Transfiguration made an impact on him, but then he goes on to say, “We have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place” (2 Peter 1:19–21). If you want to see the glory of Jesus today, you will find it in the pages of the Bible. Seek His face in Scripture today.

For further study: John 8:12–20; 2 Corinthians 4

thursday

may