The Lord Jesus knew that He would not be accepted as the promised Messiah, or King of Israel, and that He would suffer death. He knew His disciples would suffer for His sake, but as a comfort to them, He spoke of that time of glory which would certainly come. He said some of them should see that glory before their death.
Not long after that He took three of the disciples with Him up on a mountain away from all others. While Jesus prayed the disciples fell asleep; when they awoke they saw the appearance of Jesus was changed, and His garments were white and shining, and glory was about Him.
Moses and Elijah
Two men were talking with Him. They were Moses and Elias (Elijah), who had taught God’s words to Israel long, long before. They had believed God would send One to rule on earth, but that was not what they talked of. Instead, we read, they talked with the Lord Jesus of His “decease,” which means His death.
The disciples seem to have known who Moses and Elijah were, though their appearance is not described for us. Peter felt such honor was due these great prophets that he spoke to the Lord Jesus that three monuments should be made there on the mountain, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. At that instant a cloud came over them, and a Voice spoke to them from the cloud, saying,
“This is My beloved Son: hear Him.”
The Glory of Jesus
The Voice from heaven and the brightness made the disciples fear, but they learned by those words that Jesus, the holy Son of God, was far greater than the most useful prophets, and the way to honor Him was not by a monument, or a high place on earth, but by listening to His words. They were to “hear Him,” believe Him.
This glory of Jesus had not been shown before, and He had lived among them as a humble man, so this event is called His transfiguration, which means change of form or appearance. But He did not then stay in that form of glory, but came down the mountain with the disciples to continue His work for all. When Peter later wrote of this time of glory, he said, We “were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Pet. 1:16-1816For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. (2 Peter 1:16‑18)).
And it is wonderful to read that the One who lived so humbly here will appear at last with the glory due Him. But only those who accept Him as the sacrifice for their sins can rejoice in His glory.
Further Meditation
1. What does transfiguration mean?
2. It sure isn’t normal for someone to hide their excellence and glory. Not everyone brags openly about it, but most don’t mind others finding out. Why would the Lord Jesus only show this part of His glory to a select few disciples? How can we see His glory today?
3. You might find reading the pamphlet (or listening to the audio CD) The Glories of the Mount by H. Smith to be a wonderful way to deepen your study of the Lord’s glory as displayed in this chapter.