The Glory of Jesus Christ (Luke 9:28-36) The Transfiguration
Why show this splendor of Jesus Christ now? Why show it so briefly? Why not display it before the crowds He taught or the opposition who doubted? Why did Jesus only bring Peter, James, and John? If the disciples were being asked to live for a future day, how could they be assured that this day would one day come? If they were being asked to eternally stake their lives on the work of Christ, what assurance did they have that His word was worthy of their trust?
This unique event of the Transfiguration is one of only two places that “heaven” speaks directly about Jesus. The voice that tells the disciples to hear Jesus recalls an earlier heavenly endorsement at His baptism (3:21-22). Also, no other event in the Gospels involves the presence of celebrities of the past. The visible glorification of Jesus is also unique. Even in his resurrection appearances, he is not described as bearing the brilliance he does here. This is a preview of His Kingdom glory!
The first Reason to Believe (Mt. 16:28; Lk. 9:27) - the transformation of Christ
Luke says His face became “different.” Matthew says His face “shone like the sun.” Matthew and Mark tell us He was “transfigured,” metamorphis, changed in form. Matthew tells us “His garments became as white as light.” Mark adds, “His garments became radiant and exceedingly white.” Luke in verse 29 says, “His clothing became white and gleaming” (Literally, “flashing like lightning.”)
A second Motivation to Believe (Luke 9:30-34) - the appearance of Moses and Elijah
Moses was one of these Old Testament heroes. He was raised in the court of a king, exiled to the fields and flocks of Midian, chosen by God to challenge the Egyptians and to command the people of Israel. He was so significant that the covenant God made with God’s people and Moses was called the Mosaic Covenant. Moses was the mediator of the 10 commandments and the strongest leader of Israel.
The other man present with Christ was Elijah. He had fought valiantly against the nation’s idolatry with clear words of judgment and astonishing miracles of healing. He was swept up into the heavens in a chariot of fire with horses of fire.
There is also, by inference, a word for us about life and after life. We see in these two men, Moses and Elijah, that those who have trusted in the Savior are still alive, conscious, aware of what is taking place. More than this, they were recognizable, though we don’t know how the disciples knew them to be Moses and Elijah. I believe we will be able to recognize our loved ones in glory.
A third Reason to Believe (Lk. 9:27) - A foreshadowing of the Kingdom.
The mountain of splendor was intended to give them that assurance. Look at Luke 9:27. Matthew’s parallel account says, “until they see the Son of man coming in His Kingdom” (16:28).
Christ’s appearance on the mountain of splendor strikingly resembled John’s description of His appearance at His return (Rev. 1:14-15). He was on a mountain (Zech. 14:4) “In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east.” Remember that when Christ returns, He will descend to His people (Peter, James, and John) but also, He will return with His people (Moses--died in Christ and Elijah—raptured without tasting death).
A fourth Motivation to Believe (Lk. 9:35-36) - the Father’s endorsement of the Son.
It doesn’t matter what anyone else says about Jesus. What does God the Father say about Jesus Christ? He says, “This is my Son, My Chosen. Listen to him,” on the Mount of Transfiguration. There can be no higher authority than God the Father. There can be no more authoritative testimony of who Jesus is than God the Father.
Why would they play this miracle down? Matthew and Mark let us know that Jesus commanded them that they should not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has risen from the dead. The spectacular rarely convinces or converts anyone. Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus was challenged to do something spectacular in order to prove who He was. Jesus, in the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk. 16:27-31) said that even if one were to rise from the dead, he would not be believed if those same people had rejected the Old Testament Scriptures. It was necessary for Jesus to become the Suffering Servant before He became the Triumphant King!
Listen to Him. How can we listen to Jesus today? By reading His Word and listening to the promptings His Spirit.
To choose Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life is to become an heir of all the riches of Christ and to reign with Him in the Kingdom. Choose Jesus Christ today!
