One of the more miraculous events recorded in the gospels is that if the transfiguration of Jesus on a mountain top. The event is described as Jesus, Moses, and Elijah hanging out and having a discussion. What they talked about is not recorded but what God himself spoke at this event is recorded. This event if hard to make sense of or to understand the purpose of this transfiguration and that is what I will dive into below dear reader.
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Matthew 17:1-5 ESV
Jesus on the Mountain
A few background details before we dive in. Jesus climbs a mountain with Peter, James, and John. These three disciples were the inner core of the twelve. This event if recorded by Matthew so he is recounting the story from these three disciples after the fact. This event also is recorded in the Gospel of Mark (9:2-8) and then in the gospel of Luke (9:28-36). Interestingly the Gospel of John who was there does not record the event. But John does record the future events of Jesus in all his glory returning to earth.
God is Pleased
Now Jesus takes the three disciples with him to the mount top and what does Jesus do on top of the mountains? He prays and he teaches. Jesus gets ways to pray a lot and this time they climb far away from everyone. Peter reflects on this event as well in one of his letters to the churches.
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18 ESV
The Transfiguration Purpose
Peter was an eyewitness to the glory of God speaking from heaven “This is my beloved Son.” An in this recounting Peter highlights for us the purpose of the transfiguration. The transfiguration is a threshold event of Jesus moving from one phase of ministry to another. Jesus is seeking out God’s will to confirm that the time is right. In Matthew Chapter 16 right before this mountain top transfiguration Jesus is revealed to the Disciples and Peter that he is in fact the Messiah.
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16:13-17 ESV
The Next Phase
Jesus was just preaching a gospel with works and authority up until this point but now Jesus is going to start the path to the cross in Jerusalem. He is going to stop hiding and avoiding the confrontation with the religious leaders. Jesus is on the mountain top praying for God’s will to move forward with the next phase of ministry.
Rember that this is not the first time that God has spoken of his love for Jesus in a direct way. The same happened on the first day of the ministry of Jeus. John the Baptist baptizes Jesus and when coming out of the water God gives similar approval and instruction to Jesus to go forth.
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17 ESV
God Remains in Control
Dear reader Jesus was no accident. He was not a prophet. Jesus is not a good teacher. Dear reader Jesus is the beloved Son of God himself. Jesus is God in the flesh. God in his planning and in his will for humanity made the way for Jesus to be the savior. Jesus is the way that God has made to save you and me. Listen to God’s own testimony about Jesus at this moment of transfiguration.
35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” Luke 9:35 ESV
