Luke 9:28–36 (ESV)

    ²⁸Now about eight days after these sayings [Jesus] took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. ³⁰And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, ³¹who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³²Now 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. ³³And 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. ³⁴As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” ³⁶And 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.

Image

The Transfiguration highlights Christ Jesus’ divine nature and glory that is revealed to His disciples.  Not only is the Transfiguration of our Lord a revelation of His glory, but it is also a prefiguration of His suffering and death; therefore, we need to view His glory in light of His Passion.

People find it easier to focus on Jesus’ glory rather than His Passion and the cross because the cross is associated with suffering and death.  Those who see only the glory of Christ’s resurrection and ascension miss the point of God’s work.  To understand Jesus’ glory shown in His Transfiguration, we must understand the big picture given in the Holy Bible.  Scripture tells us there was a cross to come in Jerusalem prior to the glory of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Morning. 

The Transfiguration of our Lord also reminds us that we are invited to share in Christ’s suffering and His glory through Holy Baptism.  At that time, God the Father reaffirmed Jesus’ Baptism saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” (35).  In our own Baptism, with His Word in and with the water, God in Christ has made us His sons and daughters.  In Romans 6, Saint Paul tells us in Baptism we suffer and die with Christ and rise again to live with Him forever.

As Baptized followers of Christ Jesus, we are to bear our cross, which is to endure hardships for the sake of the Gospel (see Luke 9:23-27).  Though the cost of discipleship may be high, it holds wonderful promises, including our own transfiguration on the Last Day. That day we will share in the glory of our crucified, risen, and ascended Lord for eternity.

The Transfiguration of Our Lord serves as a springboard into the season of Lent.  On Ash Wednesday, we will begin our journey towards Christ’s departure at Jerusalem on the cross, then the empty grave, which culminates in an open heaven where all who repent, believe, and are Baptized in Christ will live in glory with our Lord and Redeemer forever and ever.  

825 North 1^st West

Cheyenne Wells, CO, 80810-0728

Sunday Service begins at 9:00AM