The Transfiguration

Mark 9:2-9

Our Gospel reading for today gives Mark’s account of the Transfiguration of Jesus.  This event was mentioned in my previous devotional, as the Apostle Peter told how he was an eyewitness to this event, seeing the Lord Jesus in His heavenly glory, and hearing the voice of God the Father.  This event was one of the most singular moments in Peter’s life, one that he would never forget a minute of. Let’s take a moment to look at the Transfiguration, which happened about 6-8 months prior to the Crucifixion, and see why this is a pivotal moment in the Gospels.

The word “transfigured” comes from a Greek word meaning “to change in form” or “be transformed”.  At this moment, when Jesus was transfigured before three of His chosen apostles, He manifested some of His divine glory to them (vs. 2).  This was a glorious event to behold, and we might wonder why Jesus only chose three of His apostles, Peter, James and John, to witness this, and not all twelve, or even more of His followers.  No real explanation is given in Scriptures.  Perhaps because these three were one of the earliest disciples to decide to follow Jesus and respond to His call.  Peter, James and John are always the first three listed when the disciples names are given.  They also were present at some healings when the others weren’t (Luke 8:51).

Just prior to this event in the Gospels, Jesus and His disciples had journeyed to Caesarea Philippi, a city in the far northern parts of the Holy Land.  Peter had just given his declaration that he believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah.  Now He brings the three, Peter, James and John, up on one of the mountains in the area.  While on top of this mountain, Jesus was transfigured, revealing His divine nature.  His clothes became brilliantly white and shining, more than any whiteness we have ever seen (vs. 3).  Matthew’s Gospel also records that Jesus’s face shone like the sun (Matthew 17:2).  Light is often associated in Scripture with God’s visible presence.

Here on the mountain, two people joined Jesus while He was in His divine form.  These were Moses and the prophet Elijah.  Moses represented the Law, and Elijah represented the prophets.  The two important figures from the Old Testament, coming out of heaven to meet with Jesus, spoke to Him about His coming death (Luke 9:30-31), perhaps to give Him encouragement.  As we’re seeing here, Jesus was divine, but He was also fully human, and knowing that the crucifixion awaited Him, He would need courage.  Peter was so overcome with what he was witnessing, both seeing two of the greatest Old Testament personages, and also the Lord Jesus in His divine form, he wanted this literal mountaintop experience to go on forever (vs. 5-6).

While Peter was expressing his desire to remain here on the mountain, a cloud from heaven comes and covered them all, and God’s voice spoke (vs. 7).  The cloud was the cloud of God’s Shekinah glory, which appeared on many occasions in the Old Testament, particularly over the tabernacle.  Here God repeated His affirmation of Jesus that He had given at His baptism, that He was the Father’s beloved Son, and we are to listen to Him.  Listen, not just to hear, but to actually respond to and follow what He is saying.  Jesus was the fulfillment of all of the Old Testament Law and prophecies.  He was not merely another great prophet.  As the Son of God, He surpassed both Moses and Elijah, and all other prophets in both authority and power.

As our passage concludes, Jesus didn’t want Peter, James or John to tell others about what the had witnessed until after the resurrection (vs. 9).  They would not fully understand.  After the resurrection they would know that only through dying could Jesus show His power over death, and authority to be king over all.

As God has said, “This is My beloved Son.  Hear Him!”  He is the one we’re to listen to and obey!