Each of the four Synoptic Gospels included an account of the Transfiguration of Jesus. It is foreshadowing of the coming glory of Jesus and marks a turning point in His ministry as He reveals that His destiny is the Cross and begins His journey to Jerusalem.
Luke’s story, unlike the other accounts, is set within the context of prayer. It is a common theme as Luke often depicts Jesus alone at prayer. But this time He takes Peter, James, and John to the mountain with Him. While Jesus is praying, His face changes and His clothes become dazzling white. The Greek word is translated “glistening.” Even more startling, is that “there appeared to them Moses and Elijah” who were talking with Jesus. As representatives of the law and the prophets, their appearance is further affirmation of Jesus as the Messiah. Finally, a voice from nowhere spoke: “This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to Him.” Then, the images were gone and Jesus was alone.
There is much to be learned from this event. But, mot of all, it is about change, new perceptions, and new life. Often the Bible makes us see that progress is not always consistent or pleasant. And this leads us to begin to understand that the Christian way is the Way of the Cross.
As followers of Jesus, we look at change and put it up against the voice Who said: “This my Son, the Beloved, listen to Him.” The core message of the Transfiguration is best found in Paul’s writing to the Corinthians: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.”
The Transfiguration shows us that many times new perceptions and ideas are found when we draw apart, as Jesus often did. This leads us to think, to feel and be in touch with ourselves. But the key, as the disciples found, is the encounter with God Who makes all things new.
When we decide to follow Jesus; when we decide to seek the Kingdom of God; we go through a qualitative change. It is not merely adding something like putting on an overcoat. Something new has happened and our lives have been “transfigured” and transformed. each moment we live is not just an extension of the last moment, each breath becomes an act of receiving life itself. It lets us view a new attitude.
There is an opposing view of change in life. It belong to those who see change only as an extension of the past. This is the view of people who resist change and the future at all cost! They prefer the situation they know over the change they do not know. Someone characterized this view by saying: “If they had been present at creation, they would have voted for chaos!”
The transfiguration not only tells of inevitable change, it gives us a foretaste of things to come. It lets us, with the disciples, glimpse the whole of Jesus’ life” His ministry; His teaching; His resurrection and the promise of His coming again.
When Peter, James, and John climbed the mountain with Jesus, they had no idea of the new “perspective” they were about to be given. To say they were unprepared for the revelation that was to come would be an understatement. In fact, of all the interactions that Jesus had with the disciples, this was the most remarkable. It gave them, and us, a new way of thinking about the person of Jesus.
The Transfiguration also meant, and means to us today, that we cannot share the light of the Gospel unless we see the Lordship of Jesus in our lives. The Gospel is meant to be experienced in order for us to be able to tell others about its importance to our lives. Otherwise, religion is boiled down to a set of ethics and a warm blanket! Evangelism, a misunderstood word in the Episcopal Church, must be for us an irresistible urge and need to share the story that changed our outlook and our very life.
C. Robert Allred writes that the experience of the Transfiguration necessarily leads us to Ministry. He writes: “Peter, James, and John enjoyed the mountaintop experience of seeing Jesus in all of His glory, but Jesus knew that their ministry lay in the valley ahead . . . Our ministry is in the valleys of life where people are hurting. evil remains rampant in our world. Forces still threaten human life. Families are more fragile than ever. Disease seems prevalent . . . poverty, crime, violence, racism, elitism, and war is everywhere.”
The story of the Transfiguration reminds us that we Christians have an answer to an ever-changing world seeking meaning and value. Ours is a message of hope and redemption. It is the same message that Jesus commissioned the disciples to go out into the world and proclaim. Not only do we have life transfiguring and transforming experiences here, we move forward possessed by the power to proclaim hope to a hurting world – that God loves, cares for, and forgives all humanity.
Just as Jesus was changed in appearance, each of us can be changed deep in our souls. Rejoice, therefore, we have good news to proclaim.
Source: © The Rev. Peter Groschner, August 6, 2017. Luke 9:28-36. Reprinted with permission from the author.