The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:6 – “For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shown in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” Peter, James, and John saw the radiant glory of God’s Son during an unforgettable mountain-top experience. Luke 9:28-36 and its parallel passages in Matthew 17 and Mark 9 help us relive that experience with the apostles. It also helps us realize why those who want to see God must look at Jesus, and why those who want to hear God must listen to his Son.
THE BACKGROUND:
Jesus had just stated, “there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God” (ver. 27). In order to give support to that affirmation, as well as the one from verse 20, we have this event recorded.
THE GLORY OF THE SON OF GOD – 9:29-30:
With this image in our minds, do we really need a definition of God’s glory? The light with which God appears – the light in which Jesus now appears – is a visible expression of God’s authority, God’s power, God’s overabundance of spiritual riches. In John 2, after Jesus turned water to wine, John writes in verse 11 that He “manifested His glory.” Glory is equivalent to power – to God’s nature.
CHRIST’S DISCUSSION – 9:31:
Only Luke tells us what they discussed, is that Moses and Elijah came to talk to Jesus about His “departure”. The original word is exodus – the term that denotes the second book in our Old Testaments – the departure from Egypt. This was Jesus’ departure from this world. What could Moses and Elijah possibly have contributed to Jesus’ knowledge of His coming transfer from this physical world to the spiritual world? We do not know.
Moses was the great lawgiver and he was buried by God (Deut. 34:5-6) and He predicted a final prophet of God (Deut. 18:15-18). Elijah was the great law-defender (1 Kings 18) and he was predicted to come before the Messiah (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6). He, of course, went to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2).
THE SON, IN CONTRAST TO MOSES AND ELIJAH – 9:32-36:
On this occasion, the Father spoke from heaven to Peter, James, and John and tells them five things about Jesus from Nazareth:
- This is My Son.
- This is My beloved Son – Mark & Matthew add.
- This is My Chosen One – My elected One – the Israelite of Israelites who would finally and completely, and faithfully fulfill all that God required. Who would completely live-up-to the expectations of the Law of Moses and the Prophets.
- Matthew adds – “With whom I am well-pleased.” Jesus always did everything the Father wanted Him to do and thus Jesus never, ever disappointed the Father.
- Finally and, most importantly, in all three Gospel accounts, God’s final words are: “Listen to Him!”
That is when Moses and Elijah disappeared and Jesus was standing there alone.
In what ways can we listen to Jesus today? First of all, we listen to Him personally (John 8:12; Heb. 1:1-2).
Second, we listen to Jesus by following His example. The apostle Peter writes that “Christ has suffered for us and left us an example to follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).
Third, we listen to Jesus when we listen to the apostles and prophets whom Jesus guided and directed through His Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:37; Galatians 1:11-12).
In the Transfiguration, Jesus was glorified. We need to listen to Him so that we, too, can be glorified.
Paul Holland