A Glimpse Of Glory – The Transfiguration Series

Have you ever had what you would describe as a mountaintop spiritual experience? A time when you felt so close to God you just caught a glimpse of glory. If so, it may have been a very emotional experience. Our faith is not based on emotional experience, yet at the same time, when those times do come in our life and we have a special encounter with God, that kind of experience can be emotional. It can also deepen our commitment to Christ.

The list of names from the Bible of those who have had a mountaintop experience would be extensive. Those who had an experience that gave them a unique glimpse of God’s glory. There was Adam before the fall who spoke with God. There was Abram who was called to leave his country. There was Jacob and the vision we call Jacob’s ladder. There was Moses when God’s glory passed him in the cleft of the rock.

There was the time Isaiah saw the holiness of God and cried out in despair for his sin. Ezekiel was having a glorious encounter with God in Babylon captivity when the heavens opened, and he saw visions of God. Not many can claim a Damascus road experience, but it changed Paul’s life.

Not all of the twelve disciples experienced a glimpse of glory we know as the transfiguration. For those that did, Peter, James and John, this was a life-changing event. They for a brief moment saw their master, Jesus in his glory. Let’s look at this event called the transfiguration and what it means for me and you.

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. (Mark 9:2-8)

The transfiguration fits with the theme of what Jesus was trying to get over to his disciples, that he must die and they must be prepared. Jesus took three disciples and led them up the high mountain. Mt. Tabor is the traditional site of the transfiguration, but some think that Mt. Hermon was the place.

These three disciples were on the high mountain, alone with Jesus. This time the crowds could not distract them. Jesus was alone with them. Luke tells us they went up on that mountain to pray. Before their very eyes something tremendous happened. As Jesus was praying his face began to transform into a dazzling appearance. The Matthew passage says that Jesus’ face shone like the sun.

Even Jesus’ clothes became dazzling white. Luke says they became as bright as a flash of lightning. They were whiter than anyone could bleach them. Then two men appeared in glorious splendor and began to talk with Jesus. They were none other than Moses and Elijah.

These two men had unusual circumstances in their departure from this earth. For Elijah the transfer to heaven account is in 2 Kings. Elijah is walking with Elisha and a chariot of fire appeared and Elijah went to heaven in a whirlwind.

And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. (2 Kings 2:11)

Moses died in Moab at the age of 120. His eyes were not weak, strength not gone. No one knew where his grave is. Apparently, he too was called straight to heaven.

It is significant what Moses and Elijah represent. Elijah represents the prophets. Those rugged men who spoke forth God’s word with conviction and courage. Sometimes making predictions of future events, of judgement and of the Messiah. Elijah stood representing what all the prophets stood for.

Moses represented the law of God. The books of the law are also called the books of Moses. The implication is that Jesus is meeting Moses and Elijah it represents him fulfilling all in the law and the prophets.

These two men talk with Jesus about the subject at hand. Jesus’ own departure that will take place in Jerusalem. They were discussing the cross with Jesus.

Luke says that while Jesus was praying Peter, James and John were very sleepy. It must have been tiring climbing the high mountain. Then they suddenly became fully awake when they saw the sight before them. A glimpse of Jesus in his glory. No one could sleep through that. It is a foretaste of what it will be like to worship around the throne in heaven. It is more like what we read of the exalted Jesus in Revelation chapter one.