Slices
Prepare
Suppose Jesus is the Messiah from heaven, as Peter had declared. What would be the most significant confirmation of that fact? Open your heart as we read of this great endorsement of Jesus.
Bible passage
The transfiguration
28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendour, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ (He did not know what he was saying.)
34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.’ 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
Explore
Peter had spoken up in front of the whole group of disciples and proclaimed that Jesus is God’s Messiah (v 20). Then Jesus had started to tell them about his suffering and death. Who Jesus is matters more than anything else. So, in this unique moment, the three closest disciples get a most glorious glimpse and emphatic endorsement of who Jesus is.
They get to see Jesus in his heavenly glory (v 29). Then there are two – or three – witnesses: Moses, the founding figure of Israel, along with Elijah, the great end-times prophet of Israel. The third witness? As a glorious cloud engulfed them, they got to hear the voice of God the Father from heaven (v 35). As before, at the baptism of Jesus, the voice from heaven speaks of Jesus. This time it affirms that Jesus is God’s chosen one (God’s Messiah), who must be listened to (the prophet like Moses that was to come – see Deuteronomy 18:18).
This spectacular moment left a deep impression on those present. Peter refers to it years later in 2 Peter 1:16–21. They treasured the memory of it and lived their lives confident of Jesus’ identity.
Respond
As you read of this fantastic moment, how does it reinforce your understanding of Jesus? How would your life be different if you were more confident in who Jesus is?
Deeper Bible study
‘I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things.’1
Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain top reveals who he truly is, not merely a great prophet but God’s own Son. It demonstrates his glory, in a way that leaves Peter befuddled (v 33). The voice from heaven (v 35) recalls Jesus’ earlier baptism experience,2 and the sleepy disciples (v 32) anticipate the painful Garden of Gethsemane experience.3 Each of these pivotal moments shapes and sharpens Jesus’ journey in significant ways. Most of all, this is a moment of prayer. As Jesus prays, his physical appearance is transformed, reflecting the power of this intense, transcendent experience of God’s presence. Once again, it is in prayer that Jesus is reminded that he is God’s Son. It is significant that Jesus needs this profound reassurance twice, once just before the start of his public ministry and his time of temptation in the wilderness and once before he starts the long path to the cross. In these moments of prayer, his identity is reaffirmed and the path ahead is clarified. This moment parallels Jesus’ baptism, yet instead of being the beloved Son, he is now the ‘chosen Son’ (see v 35); instead of the Father delighting in him, there is a call to the others there to ‘listen to him’. These differences reflect the developing progression of Jesus’ calling and ministry.
In the deep experience of embracing God’s presence and being overwhelmed by it, Jesus is transformed and a glimpse of his heavenly identity is revealed. In the mystical encounter with Moses and Elijah, Jesus sees the journey he must make to Gethsemane and beyond. Most importantly, he knows afresh his core identity as God’s chosen Son and all the grace and power that comes with this to navigate what lies before him.
Where do you meet God’s transforming presence, knowing yourself to be a child of God and seeing clearly the journey ahead? How can you find that deeper moment of prayer?
1 Mother Teresa, 1910–97 2 Luke 3:21,22 3 Luke 22:45,46
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Proverbs 1,2; Philippians 4
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray that the afterschool Grow Community ‘Believe Club’ in Southampton will continue to get positive feedback. Give thanks to God for the delight and enthusiasm that the children bring.
