Scripture Reading: Matthew 17:1-9
The story of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ is described in all the Synoptic Gospels. The first three Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—are called the Synoptic Gospels because they share similar perspectives and timelines of Jesus’ ministry. The Gospel of John is different. When you read John’s Gospel, you notice that it does not follow the same timeline. Instead, it presents a deeper theological picture, focusing more on who Jesus is rather than simply what Jesus did.
The Transfiguration is a foretaste of the glory of the resurrection. As you heard in today’s reading, while they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus instructed the disciples not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had been raised from the dead. That instruction is very significant. When I read that verse, I asked myself: why were they not allowed to speak about the Transfiguration until after the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
The story of the Transfiguration is a powerful and essential story for the Christian faith, and it also holds an important place in the Christian calendar. We have just completed the season of Epiphany, which I explained begins after Christmas. Epiphany starts with the visit of the wise men from the East. That event is called Epiphany, a word that means “revelation.” It is the revelation of God not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles—to people from the East and to the whole world, including those without any Jewish heritage. The gift of eternal life is not limited to a particular group of people; it is offered to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ.
Over the last several Sundays, we reflected on the meaning of Epiphany and the Epiphany season. Today is Transfiguration Sunday. In theology, another word used for this event is theophany. Theophany means the revelation of God’s glory to God’s people. That is exactly what happened on the mountain of Transfiguration. When the disciples went up the mountain with Jesus, they saw him in glory—unlike anything they had seen before in his human form. This experience is called a theophany.
The theophany has two important elements. The first is the declaration from God. God’s voice came from the cloud and said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.” We hear a similar declaration at Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, when the Spirit descended like a dove and a voice from heaven declared, “This is my beloved Son.” These two events—the baptism and the Transfiguration—are extremely important in Jesus’ life and for our Christian faith.
Baptism symbolizes our death to the old life and the beginning of a new life as we rise from the water or are sprinkled with it. Baptism represents renewal and transformation. The Transfiguration is also about transformation, but it goes beyond that—it is a glorious change. It reminds us of the resurrection life that awaits us after death. That is why Jesus instructed the disciples not to speak of what they had seen until after the resurrection. The Transfiguration only makes full sense in the light of the resurrection.
As Christians, our faith is rooted in the resurrection. We believe in the resurrection of the dead—that we will one day be bodily raised, that Jesus Christ will come again, and that we will live eternally with those who have gone before us. This is the greatest hope and the foundation of our faith.
On the mountain, Jesus gave the disciples a foretaste of glory. Only a few disciples were willing to climb the mountain with him. Many times, the disciples were tired after long days of walking and preaching. Not everyone wanted to make the climb. This reminds us of our own journey of faith. We often prefer to remain in the valleys, where life feels peaceful and comfortable. Yet there are mountaintop moments in life—some expected, others unexpected. There are mountains of grief, sickness, burdens, and worries that bring stress into our lives.
But when we pass through these mountaintop experiences, God reveals his glory in ways we may never have seen before. Therefore, do not be afraid of the mountains. The mountaintop experiences often reveal God’s presence and glory most clearly. Climb the mountain with God, and you will see a glorious Jesus in ways you have never seen before.
The three disciples who went up the mountain saw a special revelation of Jesus. They also saw Moses and Elijah talking with him—witnesses from the Old Testament—while Peter, James, and John stood as witnesses from the New Testament. Jesus stands at the center, revealing himself not only as the Messiah of the Jews, but also as Savior of the Gentiles and the sacrificial Lamb who would suffer, die, and rise again. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is clearly foreshadowed in the Transfiguration.
This event is not only about Jesus’ resurrection; it is also about our bodily resurrection. Scripture teaches that we will receive glorified bodies—imperishable and eternal. The hope of resurrection is the very foundation of Christian faith.
The Transfiguration includes elements of life after death: the dazzling appearance of otherworldly figures, the radiant transformation of Jesus, a commanding voice from heaven, and then the instruction to return to the valley. Peter responded by saying, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will make three shelters—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter, as usual, spoke quickly. He was always the one to step forward—walking on water, sinking, and yet still responding boldly.
Peter did not suggest shelters for himself or the other disciples because he did not fully understand the meaning of the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration was not about separating a few individuals; it was about revealing that through Jesus Christ, the whole world is invited into one kingdom. That is why we worship together today—people from different nations, cultures, races, and languages—united through Christ.
Sometimes, church feels like a mountaintop experience. We worship together, fellowship together, and enjoy being in God’s presence. Like Peter, we may want to stay there. But Jesus calls us back down into the valley. The valley is where people are hurting, where healing is needed, where peace is lacking. Those who have seen God’s glory on the mountain must go down to the valley to serve and witness.
The Transfiguration reveals a reality beyond what earthly eyes can see. Moses and Elijah appear because they represent the law and the prophets, and Scripture tells us there will be witnesses before Christ comes again. These moments of clarity change how we face what comes next. Even when today feels dark, light will come again. Darkness is not permanent.
Our life in this world is temporary, but eternity awaits us. The disciples needed to witness the Transfiguration so they would be strengthened for their mission. After the resurrection, they preached boldly and turned the world upside down. Ordinary fishermen became powerful witnesses because they had seen the glory of God.
The kingdom of God does not begin in the future—it begins now. Eternal life starts here. Death is certain, but eternity is a choice. By receiving Christ, we enter eternal life while still living in this world. Because Jesus rose from the dead, death has no power over us. As Paul writes, “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?”
Paul also teaches that we will all be transformed. Transfiguration reveals inner glory; transformation prepares us for resurrection. What was fulfilled in Christ will be fulfilled in us. That is our greatest hope.
So, having seen the glory of Christ, we are called to go into the valleys and witness to that glory. May God bless these words, and may we go forth as powerful witnesses to the glory we have received in Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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