1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
This is Jesus saying “OK, I told you who I am. I told you what I’m here to do. I told you that you’re in this with me. In case you have any questions…let’s go up the mountain. I want to show you something .”
What a show! There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
And the coup d ‘grace? God, Himself declares His affiliation with Jesus. Not just any god, but “THE GOD!”
Like going to council...no wonder they didn’t want to leave…
I’ve had occasional glimpses of that mountain over the course my life. Rather than regret their passing, I choose to be thankful for the opportunities. They empower me to keep serving. I suspect I’ve also seen Elijah a few times over the years and confused him with John the Baptist. Such are the nuances of human life.
I pray that in such experiences we will all hear our Savior say “Get up. Don’t be afraid.” It’s that voice that ultimately assures us…not the experiences.
Live boldly out there today…
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