May 12


The Transfiguration
Luke 9:28-36


Soon--about a week--after Christ tells them that some shall see him in his glory, he takes these three up to the mountain.  The delay is so that the other disciples will not be jealous;  the mountain is so that the clamor of the world will not compete with the glory of God.
There Jesus is transfigured.  We see in this three things:

  • His face shines--as did Moses' when he spoke with God.  They are in the presence of Jehovah.
  • His clothing became bright.  This is no ghost the Apostles saw.  This foretells the bodily resurrection of the dead.
  • They see Moses and Elijah--the human representatives of the Law and the Prophets.  Even in this we see the power of Christ.  He is superior to the Law and the Prophets;  he has power over death (for Moses is dead) and power over life (for Elijah never died).
Tabernacles
Peter now proposes to put up three booths (or shelters, or tabernacles, depending upon your translation).  He is thinking of the Feast of the Tabernacles--but mostly this is a case of "when your jaw is hanging open, you have to say something."
For he is overwhelmed.  The bright cloud is the sign of God's favor in the Old Testament.  Here, Moses and Elijah are silent before Jesus, implying that they are his servants.  He is the Son.
My Son
God tells us two things about Christ:
  • He is beloved--for God is love; Christ is God, and therefore he both loves and is loved.
  • God is well pleased with him--for he does his father's will.  Any parent would understand that.
This is a supreme moment.  All possible types of witnesses are here to testify to the nature and office of Christ.  Moses represents all those righteous who are dead.  Elijah represents all the righteous of paradise itself.  The Apostles represent the righteous of earth.  All these are confirmed by God the Father in Heaven.  No where else will you find righteous to testify.
There you have it:  this Jesus is God's beloved son, well pleasing to God.  You are commanded to listen to him.  Consider him in his glory, and listen well to his words.