Slices
Prepare
Reflect for a while on the idea of ‘the supernatural’. What comes to mind? Would you be keen to explore further, or perhaps you are someone who prefers to keep things down to earth?
Bible passage
The transfiguration
17 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 face down 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 recognise 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.
Explore
Peter’s right. He didn’t know what he was talking about but, by God’s grace, he was absolutely spot on. This is the Christ: God incarnate. The transfiguration follows immediately from Peter’s affirmation in Matthew 16:16. There is a faith principle to be found here: it is more likely that the Lord will reveal himself to us once we have declared our trust in him.
Perhaps this is an example of a piece of scripture that it is best simply to accept reverently. Personally, I find the trans-eternal involvement of Christ, God the Father, Moses and Elijah fairly incomprehensible, so I shall turn to Peter, the ordinary person. Note that Peter follows his Lord up the mountain, without apparently knowing why. Then, of course, we read the splendidly Peter-ish reaction to wondrous events: he makes irrelevant suggestions. Alas, I can identify myself with this need to just say something, however daft, instead of listening. The voice of God is terrifying to Peter but the comforting voice of his friend, Jesus, leads him to stand again. The disciples would have understood the allusion to Elijah (vs 10–13), referring here to John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ himself.
Respond
Our role is to share the good news – Jesus has, indeed, risen from the dead! Pray that the Lord will show you how to do this.
Deeper Bible study
How do you see the connection between suffering and glory in God’s plan for your life?
For the disciples, this must have been a week of turmoil and bewilderment. Jesus had told them plainly that he would suffer, be killed and be raised to life – and had firmly rebuked Peter, telling of the sacrifices needed to be his disciple.1 Now he takes three of them and is dazzlingly transformed before their eyes. What are they to make of all this? No wonder Peter speaks in an embarrassed way (v 4) and then they fall to the ground in terror as God’s voice is heard (with precisely the same words as at Jesus’ baptism2)! How are they to understand what is going on, let alone what it all means for them?
We’ve had predictions of rejection in chapter 16. Now we have a vision of future glory and victory, perhaps giving a link between self-sacrifice and triumph in God’s purposes, a Lord who both reigns and yet suffers. Perhaps God’s confirmation here is even more significant than at Jesus’ baptism, as the notion of a suffering Messiah seemed so incongruous. Here God adds the words ‘Listen to him!’ We read ‘when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only’ (v 8, ESV), the word ‘only’ coming at the end of the sentence for emphasis. The disciples must focus on Christ alone. He will prove sufficient for all their needs.
Suffering and glory. God does give his followers foretastes of glory from time to time. We should pray for such encouragements and be grateful for such foretastes. They often prove important sustenance during difficult times – but they will not do away with such times altogether. Peter reminds us that as we rejoice that we are shielded by God’s power, now we may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.3 It was true for Jesus – and for his followers.
Pray that God will enable you to look to him and future glory when you go through trials and suffering.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Ezekiel 46,47; 1 John 3
Pray for Scripture Union
After so many months of lockdown, please pray for new vision and energy for those running Guardians of Ancora clubs in schools, churches and community venues. Pray especially that children will encounter Jesus and discover why he is such good news for everyone.
