The Transfiguration - Matthew 17

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!”

Reflection: As Jesus begins to prepare his disciples for his departure, he takes Peter, Jamea and John, his inner circle, on a mountaintop where he is transfigured. For a moment heaven's glory shines on Him, and not only do the disciples see Jesus in this state but, they are visited by two saints, Moses and Elijah. Interestingly both of them experienced God in powerful ways, as Moses shined with God's glory when he came down the mountain with the ten commandments. Elijah was taken up by chariots of fire into heaven in a whirlwind when God took him from this earth. Moses died on Mount Nebo and was apparently buried by God there. But one thing is for sure they are with Jesus in this scene with his beloved disciples. As such, Moses represented the Law, and Isaiah the prophets, and Jesus fulfilled both the Law and the Prophets.

Peter, always insistent at putting his foot in his mouth, suggests that he might build a tent for all of them. At which point they hear a voice from the cloud covering them saying, "This is my son in whom I am well pleased!" This is the same voice that was present and said the same thing at Jesus' baptism. In baptism Jesus was covered by God's Spirit for the ministry he would be about for the next three years. Now God was anointing him to finish the mission he sent him to accomplish.

Jesus knew there would be hard days ahead and this experience will help the disciples as they go through the week of Jesus' suffering and death. Mountaintop experiences don't happen all the time, but God can use them when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Just as Jesus was surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses so are we. When we go through our hardest times we need to be reminded that we are God's sons and daughters, and God is pleased with us. And most importantly when we go through hard times, we don't have a Savior who is aloof to suffering, but he walks with us and is pleased with us as we listen to his still, small voice.

Jesus thank you for at times leading us to the mountaintop to experience your glory. But we also know you are with us in the valleys of life. Help us to continue to hear your voice as we seek to be faithful to you. Amen.

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