The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ is without a doubt one of the most remarkable events in the life of Jesus. On a high mountain Christ was transfigured and “...his face did shine as the sun” (Matthew 17:2). Three New Testament writers; Matthew, Mark, and Luke were inspired to give it space in their gospel accounts. The people, place, and purpose of this event hold significant spiritual implications. Gathered on the peak of Mt. Hermon we find three ordinary men, two Old Testament saints, and the God of heaven and His Son. Each recipe teaches a great spiritual lesson that the Father had ordained before the foundation of the world. Let us ascend to the High Mountain and pear inside the glorious prayer closet of our Lord Jesus Christ. Once there we shall see the Glory of Christ and the purpose of Almighty God.

     After feeding the four thousand Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee and entered into the town of Magdala, located northwest of the Sea of Galilee and north of Tiberias (Tenney).  After arguing with the Pharisees Jesus heads toward the town of Caesarea Philippi in the northern section of Palestine. It is here where Peter makes his great confession of faith, and Jesus begins to teach His disciples about the Church and His death and resurrection. In Luke’s account it reads, “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray” (9:28). It thus can be concluded that the “high mountain” referred to in Matthew chapter seventeen is Mt. Hermon. The ridge of Mt Hermon is about twenty miles long (Tenney). Its height is 9,101 feet above the Mediterranean Sea.  Its melting glaciers feed into the River Jordan. The mountain also has an historic past. The ancient inhabitants of Canaan had sacred places on the hills of Hermon (Unger).  And the high peak was often used for an alter by the Syrians. It certainly is the highest mountain in the region.
    The place was of course selected by Christ. As in other instances in His ministry Jesus often went to the mountains to rest and pray. No doubt the demands of His work were not only physically demanding, but emotional and spiritual as well. The cool weather of Mt. Hermon must have been a welcome relief from the hot dusty roads of Israel. The mountain has seasonal winter and spring snow falls which cover the peak most of the year (Wikipedia).  Jesus knew what was to take place there. It could be that He climbed the 9,101 feet mount to ensure privacy. Possibly knowing the crowd would not follow Him there. The secrets that were to be seen had to be in private. Only those bidden would be allowed to attend. Since “his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light” (Matthew17:2) the place had to be very private. Jesus was not ready for this to be published. He told Peter, James, and John, “Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead” (Matthew 17:9). This raises a question. Why were some invited to attend, and who were they?

    The attendance is just as amazing as the transfiguration. The star studded cast is Jesus, Peter, James, John, Moses, Elijah, and God Himself. Each person plays an important purpose. They span from eternity, the Old Testament, and the present. And range from God, to men, and heavenly saints. We will divide them into three groups. Considering the function each represents.

Peter, James, and John

    Jesus selected twelve men to be His disciples. They were just regular men called to do and see amazing things. And like all from Adam’s race these men had their flaws and short comings. From the twelve we all can relate. They were doubters, fearful, misguided, and sometimes confused. At times they were strong in faith and sometimes they were weak. Even a traitor was called to join them. But from the twelve there were three invited to walk even closer.
    The invitations given for this divine evening where few; only a select group was permitted to see the glory of Christ. Only those who are the closest to Jesus can see His glory. Some men are bidden to come closer, or they just seize the opportunity when called. Peter, James, and John were some of the first disciples to be chosen. Therefore they had been with Him the longest (Macarthur) and are often referred to as the “inner circle”. They had spent the most time with Christ, which must have been the intent of the Savior. These men were invited to watch the raising of Jarirus’s daughter. We find this account in Mark 5:37, “And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James”. It is John who heard the secrets of Christ in the upper room. They also were invited to witness the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, which was also a favorite prayer closet of Jesus. Charles Spurgeon said, "To twelve, nay, to eleven only was the privilege given to enter Gethsemane and see the great sight. Out of the eleven, eight were left at some distance; they had fellowship, but not of that intimate sort to which the men greatly beloved are admitted. Only three highly favored  ones, who had been with Him on the mount of transfiguration, and had witnessed the life-giving miracle in the house of Jairus, only these three could approach the veil of His mysterious sorrow" (Spurgeon).
    Those who walk closest to Jesus witness His miracles, see His glory, hear His secrets, and have fellowship with His sufferings. This is a great spiritual lesson. It may be possible that these men are not different than any other, the only difference being that they seek a closer walk with Jesus. Could it be that the “inner circle” just had a greater interest in the things of Christ? Or were the three just called to walk a few steps closer than the rest? The answer is most likely both. But for the time being they had no more spiritual insight than the rest. They were not expecting to witness the transfiguration that night because “Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep” (Luke 9:32a). At any rate God had a plan for them to be there. It could be that the patriarchs of the Church needed more faith to endure the terrible persecutions of its infant beginnings. It certainly did for Peter. He later writes in II Peter 1:16-17, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him  from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount." The glory that Peter saw that night made a great impression upon him, as he preached the gospel surely the glory of Christ was upon his heart. Even if this was Jesus’ only intention, the transfiguration would have served its designed purpose. But there was more on the agenda that evening. Old Testament saints were also invited to the prayer meeting.

Moses and Elijah

    To the great surprise of the sleeping disciples they awake and find two famous visitors among them, Moses and Elijah. It must have been embarrassing to be sleeping on the job with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah watching. Their very presence gave even more clout to the Old Testament plan of redemption. Moses represented the law and Elijah the prophets. They spoke to Christ concerning His death that was to take place in Jerusalem (Luke 9:31). Although more space will be given to this subject later, this connects the Old and New Testaments. The gap between Malachi and Matthew had been connected upon Mt. Hermon.
    For Elijah to be in bodily form is not in question. He did not see death, he was taken “by a whirlwind into heaven” (II Kings 2:11). The only two who escaped death were Enoch and Elijah. However in Jude 9 Moses’ resurrection is implied (Fallwell).  And he being there suggests this may be reasonable. If this theory is true, it may be practical that in accordance to Jude 9, Michael the archangel retrieved the body of Moses with the transfiguration in mind.  Another possibility is symbolism. Moses representing the “dead in Christ” who are raised to share His glory and Elijah represents the saints who will pass into glory by rapture rather than by death (Luck). It may also be that God is answering two prayers of Mose. To see the glory of God (Exodus 33:18), or to enter the promised land (Deuteronomy 3:23-25) (Willmington).
    Another explanation as to the attendance of Moses of Elijah is the common belief that they are the two witnesses mentioned in Revelation chapter eleven. The two are also referred to in Malachi 4:4-6. It is appropriate that these two great leaders should appear together again to witness to the world at the end of this age (Jeffrey).The guests are truly remarkable, but even greater are the hosts.

The Father and Son

    If the three disciples had any questions as to who Jesus was going up the mountain it is certain that those questions were answered before they would have to climb back down. Upon the high mountain the inner glory of Christ is revealed. On this instance His humanity was rolled away and His glory was exposed. It could be thought that Jesus waited to manifest His glory until after it was revealed to them that He was the Christ. Peter’s great confession of faith was just a week or so prior, and maybe it was time for them to get a glimpse as to whom or what He really was. We grow from faith to faith (Romans 1:17). If the transfiguration happened prior it might have been too much too soon. They might have also gone away as those did in John chapter six. But now was the correct time. That night the veil, that is to say His flesh, could not contain the glory. All the attention centered on the Son of God. All who were present were there on His behalf. It is certain as to why the Son was there. He was on a mission, to save men from their sins. It must however be considered the contrast between this night and His passion. On Mt. Hermon we see his glory; on the Mt. of Olives we see His agony. On Mt. Hermon we see His light; on Mt. Calvary we see the darkness of sin.
    As with any gathering, it is not really a service until God shows up. It seems throughout the New Testament that God chooses certain times in the ministry of His Son to place His stamp of approval or to honor Jesus’ credentials. We have the voice from heaven at the baptizing of Jesus, upon the Mt. of Transfiguration, and at the temple in Jerusalem. However, it is upon this occasion that God is revealed in this statement, “This is my beloved Son: hear him” (Luke 9:35), and also in the presence of a cloud that overshadowed them. The cloud symbolized the divine glory. Where the cloud of glory was there was the Divine Presence (Eiselen). The Father appears after Peter unknowingly desires to build three tabernacles. With His statement God separates His Son, and sets Him high above some of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. Also God’s intentions for His presence may have been too strengthen the faith of the disciples. The cloud of God came down in the wilderness also so that the people would believe the Word of God. We find this in Exodus 19:9, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever.” It may also be considered that God revealed Himself before Moses and Elijah in similar ways, and both upon mountains. And as with any human experience with God we also see the fear that His Holiness brings. The disciples “feared as they entered into the cloud” (Luke 9:34). In Matthew’s account it records, “they fell on their face, and were sore afraid” (vs. 6). This is the reaction of all when stand in the Holy Presence of God. But what does all this mean?

    It is certain that God does not ramble own, or do things just because His power enables Him. With anything found in the Word of God it has a divine purpose and spiritual application. This is also found to be true for the transfiguration of Jesus Christ. The setting, plot, and characters of this event are like cornerstones for a grand spiritual house. Nothing is wasted or left without importance. From every day duties to future events, much can be gleaned from its truths.

The Prayer

    The actual words of that prayer are not recorded in scripture, but the possible answer was. Just a few days before Jesus had spoken of His death. This was probably more on His mind the closer the hour approached. It is possible that God was strengthening Him by the encouragement that came from Moses and Elijah, just as He did with the angel in the Garden of Gethsemane. But we must take notice anytime we find the Savior praying. It is here again we see His desire to have fellowship with God and dependence upon the Father. Prayer is a transfiguring, transforming duty, which makes the face to shine (Henry). Just as Moses’ face shined after being on the mount with God, so too did the face of Jesus. But in contrast to the great Old Testament prophet not only the face of Jesus, but his whole body as well. This is again sets Christ above His earthly predecessors. The glory upon Moses was from God but the glory upon Christ was from within.
    If Jesus prayed then all must pray. If He saw the great need and partook of the great privilege so too must all. Truly prayer is a transforming event. Just as with Peter and John in Acts 4:14 the Pharisees had “marveled and took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus”. It shines upon all those who take the time and enter their prayer closet to seek the face of their God. Saints should desire to be among the “inner circle”.

A Divine Meeting

    The mission of Christ upon earth was clear, “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10b). The heavenly clock was about to strike midnight. Just a few more months and Christ would be upon the cross. Moses and Elijah were there discussing that very event. They are talking of His exodus which He was going to accomplish in Jerusalem (Eiselen). This must have been a great encouragement to the Lord. He surely left the meeting with a renewed sense of resolve to complete His mission. Within the same chapter in Luke’s account we find evidence of this, “he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).
    Another great application is as the disciples entered into the cloud they were overcome with fear. As with all men who stand in the very presence of God they are fearful of His holiness and reminded of their sin, but the Bible records that Jesus “touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid” (Matthew 17:7). We see here Christ the Mediator at work, reconciling sinners to a Holy God. Therefore it was important for the disciples to be there. This gave a glimpse of the work of Christ after His ascension. Under the New Covenant we can come to God without fear.

Christ’s Glory Revealed

    “And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.” (Matthew 17:2). In this we see His glory. The term transfigured comes from a Greek word meaning metamorpho, it is where we get the word metamorphosis. The word metamorpho means to change from within. Therefore, as read from above it is concluded that Christ’s glory sprung from within Himself. The three disciples needed to see Christ in this fashion to help them endure the suffering that they would later witness in Christ and help them later bear the sufferings they would experience for Christ. It also displayed the future glory of all believers in heaven. This gave the disciples a hope of a crown after they bear their cross. “That the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

    After witnessing this great site Peter said the right thing but had the wrong idea. Peter said, “Master, it is good for us to be here” (Luke 9:33). Peter was quick to speak but often as we all do, did so without understanding. His desire was to build three tabernacles, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Peter had no intentions of leaving the mountain and going back into a world of suffering. We are wrong, if we look for a heaven here upon the earth (Henry). God would have none of this. Immediately after his statement God appears in the cloud and gives His divine instruction, “This is my beloved Son: hear him” (Luke 9:35). In other words, “follow Him and do whatever he commands.” If nothing more is gained from the glorious event upon Mt. Hermon this one truth will lead all who obey to see His glory in heaven. From deep theological thought to practical lessons for daily Christian living the account of the transfiguration of Christ must not be disregarded. It is filled to the brim with glorious truths of the gospel. “This is my beloved Son: hear him.” (Luke 9:35).
 
 

Bibliography

Eiselen, Frederick, Carl, The Abingdon Bible Commentary,
    Abingdon Press, 1929

Fallwell, Jerry, Liberty Bible Commentary,
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Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible,
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Jeffrey, Grant, R,. KJV Prophecy Study Bible,
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Luck, G., Coleman, Luke The Gospel of the Son of Man,
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Macarthur, John, Twelve Ordinary Men,
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Spurgeon, C.H., Spurgeon’s Sermons on the Death and Resurrection of Jesus,
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Tenney, Merrill C. gen. ed., The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary,
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Unger, Robert F., Unger’s Bible Dictionary,
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“Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia”, 10-10-09
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Willmington, Harold, Dr., Willmington’s Guide to the Bible,
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