He took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹ And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. ³⁰ And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, ³¹ who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³² Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. ³³ And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. ³⁴ As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” ³⁶ And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

Luke 9:28b-36

This section of scripture is called the transfiguration. This word means a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state. In this place on the mountain Heaven and Earth met and the glory of Jesus shone. In the text, this happens after Jesus had said,  “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. ²⁵ For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? ²⁶ For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. ²⁷ But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Here we find Peter, John, and James with Jesus. We’re they the “some” who would not taste death until they see the kingdom?

Just imagine this scene:

Jesus is transfigured – He is standing there in full glory.

Those who had their time on earth long ago, Moses and Elijah, are with Him. (and we often miss that they are talking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.)

Peter even though he was just sleeping, awakens and as if by revelation knows who these two men are. He speaks this suggestion of making tents or temples to each of them: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.

Then GOD the Father speaks: “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”

Then boom they are gone and the 3 men are standing there in silence with Jesus.

I always find it so interesting that Peter often received such great revelation and had such bold things to speak. But they were often coupled with those things being so very wrong.

The implication of the correction of what he said is simple:

JESUS ALONE IS TO BE GLORIFIED AND WORSHIPPED.

Not men of renown, not angels, just Jesus. He alone would do the work that was needed to gain our salvation. He alone would shed his blood for a ransom for many. He deserves the glory!

Where have we followed other voices?

Father, forgive me for the times in my life when I’ve thought I was so smart but was also so wrong in what I was thinking and doing. Thank you for your grace. Forgive me of the times I have followed my own thinking, or someone elses instead of Jesus. I humble myself today and I exalt Jesus alone, as the Chosen One. He alone is the One I will listen too. Holy Spirit help me to hear His voice, deny myself, take up my cross and follow Him. In Jesus name, Amen.

All is grace,

Starla