Luke 9:28-36 – The Disciples see the glory of Christ
The Transfiguration story is evident of God’s own confirmation that Jesus is the Messiah. On the mountain top, Jesus with His three chief disciples encounters Moses and Elijah, who represent he strong prophetic leadership of Israel, and them in a surprising climax, a voice from heaven indicates that Jesus is, indeed, God’s Soon, God’s Chosen, and is now to whom they are told to listen and obey.
In a well known hymn we address Christ thus; “Oh, Thou who changest not…” That statement is Biblical. Hebrews 13:8 tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.” And yet our text tells us that while Jesus was praying on this occasion “the form of His face became different and His clothing was gleaming white.” (v. 29) This paradox is cause by the nature of Jesus’ person. He has two natures, indivisibly united (not mingled) ever since His conception. They will continue as such into eternity and in heaven we shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3:2)
The Disciples see the glory of God -The disciples early on might have had some misgiving of just who or what to make of this Jesus. After the Transfiguration, there wasn’t any doubt in their minds. They knew that He was the promised Savior of the world. There on the mountain Jesus manifested all of His glory as the Father spoke His approval of His only begotten Son. But why Moses and Elijah? Both came from a storied history of God’s people of old. In Moses’ time, the people followed willingly as they escaped Egypt. At the time of Elijah, only 7,000 were left who had not bowed down to Baal. These two men represent high and low points of God’s people of Israel. There have been highs and lows in our parish history; yet One remains constant to this day. His Name is Jesus. May Christ Jesus remain the center of all that we do here at Zion.
O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening; Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever.[2] -24 February, 2022[1] The Transfiguration of Christ copyright © Google images
[2] Collect for Transfiguration, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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