The Transfiguration of Our Lord

Article for March 2, 2025

Luke 9:28–29  28Now about eight days after these sayings [Jesus] took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.

Jesus had just been talking to a crowd of people about daily denying one’s self and picking up their cross to follow Him.  Jesus had also explained that if you are going to be ashamed of Him, He too, will be ashamed of you. 

Being ashamed of Jesus at the time Jesus walked in the likeness of man, might be somewhat understandable as Jesus had many critics, especially those in high places.  Jesus’ critics also threatened the lives of those who followed Jesus.

There is more to following Jesus than to just say you believe.  But don’t get all works righteous about it, but know, works are a part of following Jesus.  Yes, we need to carry our own cross.  Though some might recount that Jesus had help carrying His cross.  Who do you think will be there to help you carry your cross?  In the light of things, Jesus’ cross was weighted with the sins of everyone, your cross is only weighted with your sins alone.

I would say it is very easy for us to say we are not ashamed of Jesus, but what if your life, or your loved one’s life is threatened?  Would you still boldly claim Jesus as your savior and the only one to follow?  Easier said than done.  Though our hopes are that we can boldly claim Jesus as our savior.  We might have an easier time if we put our faith in our resurrection that is like the resurrection of our Lord.  That dazzling white they (Peter, John, and James) see, says Jesus lives!

Luke 9:30–31 30And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

I’m not sure if Peter, John, and James knew who Jesus was talking too at the time.  Maybe they learned this at another time when they had their wits about them.  Surely to witness such a thing as the transfiguration of our Lord had to make a mark on their mindful stability. 

It’s not every day that one sees the fabric of space and time open to reveal heaven, let alone two people from a thousand years ago or so stand there with Jesus.  But here they are, and Jesus is talking to them about some kind of departure.  What is awesome about this picture is that Jesus, God, is talking to humans who came from the other side of this opening in the fabric of time and space.  Jesus talked to these men as if they were His equal or at least with the greatest respect.

Not that it should be surprising for God to speak with mankind without acting like a “man made god of arrogance.”  Jesus did not come to lord it over us, but to save us.  Let us realize we have a God who knows us and gets us like the advertisement on TV.  JesUS gets US. 

We believe we know that Jesus was telling Moses and Elijah what was going to take place.  Who knows, maybe Moses and Elijah asked Jesus how long He would stay with these people.  And Jesus most likely told them until His crucifixion as this will be the mode of departure He will use.

Luke 9:32–33 32Now 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. 33And 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.

I wonder how long Peter struggled with how he knew to say a tent for Moses, and a tent for Elijah?  Of course, we know Peter’s reverie, was cut short as the Big Guy in the sky was about to speak.  Still, Peter may have been trying to shake off his sleep and trying to remember his dream. 

Peter may have witnessed a God-incidence where we don’t realize just how close God is to us and the effect God’s near presence can have on us. There are many times in our lives that we do not know how we know, but God knows.  Faith is something one can see grow when we realize that God is actively in our lives working all things to His will.

Luke 9:28–36 34As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 36And 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.

As I was saying, Peter’s reverie got cut short.  The Father who covered Himself with clouds, spoke very clearly, and very bluntly. “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”  Ok, so listen!  We did not choose Jesus to be our savior, but the Father chose His Son to be our savior.  Jesus did not wait for us to be ready, but came in hopes that His presence would help in getting us ready.  Not that Jesus waits for us, but that He tells us He is ready for us and invites us in.

Jesus was not crucified for you because you or anyone else thought to choose Him or that it would be a good idea.  Jesus chose to die for our sins, because He chose to be our savior, because of God’s love for us. 

Please let God open your heart to help you believe.  You have nothing more to do for your salvation other than to believe with all your heart, all your mind, and all your strength, strength in the form of faith.  Jesus has done it all for all.  And those who believe will be saved.  Amen.

Written by Pastor Curtis May