Luke 9:23-3623And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. 27But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. 28And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. 30And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 32But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. 33And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. 34While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. 35And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. 36And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. (Luke 9:23‑36)
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 yet certain to 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.
Two persons 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 dwellings 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 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 tb way to honor Him was not by a moment, or a high place, on earth, but by listening to His words. They were to “hear Him,” believe Him.
The 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,
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.
ML 04/29/1945