This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday. It is a day we remember the event where Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain. While there, he is transformed (“transfigured”) and His face and clothes shine with a blinding brilliance. He is joined by Moses and Elijah and later on a voice from heaven declaring, This is My beloved Son, in whom I delight. Listen to Him! So important is this event that it is recorded in three of the four Gospels (Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9).
Now, it is easy to focus on the three person All-Star team of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. But there is that other group of three (Peter, James, and John). We could assume that this was some great ecstatic experience that filled them with an overwhelming sense of peace and joy. But perhaps there is something else going on here. Musician and author Michael Card suggests another perspective.
He writes, There, on the nameless mountain, Jesus is transfigured. The Three are privileged to see his true, luminous nature. Appearing on either side of Jesus are Moses and Elijah, the superstars of the Old Testament and the only two men who had spoken to God on Mount Sinai (Ex 24:15-18; 1 Kings 19:8). It is the moment when Moses’ request, made so many centuries before, was granted and he was able to see the glory, the face of God (Ex 33:18; see 2 Cor 4:6).
To fully understand the story, we must realize that the disciples were terrified. This emotion is the key that unlocks the narrative. Peter’s first words can also be translated in the form of a question, a question based on his fear. “Is it good for us to be here?” he stammers.
There is every reason to believe that it is not good, not safe for them to be there. In the Old Testament, to be on the top of a mountain that is glowing and to witness the appearance of Moses and Elijah means only one thing: you are probably about to die. When Moses was on the top of the mountain, those at the bottom were warned not even to touch the mountain’s base lest they die.
The fear also explains Peter’s proposal to build three shelters or tabernacles to protect the Three from the radiance of Jesus and his two companions. But just at that moment, a cloud envelops them. There will be no need for the protection of the shelters. God has provided the shelter of a glowing cloud. From the cloud comes a voice, speaking the words every child most needs to hear (Mt 17:5; see also Mt 3:17). The trembling Three are commanded to listen to him. In terrified response, they fall to the ground. It all makes perfect sense, given the context of their fear.
The next sensation they experienced is a touch on the shoulder. It is Jesus, and he is himself again. “Get up,” they hear him say, literally, “No fear.” Whenever Jesus reveals himself in a new way, he must tell them not to be afraid, for apparently it can be a fearful thing to see him as he truly is (Mt 14:27; 28:10).
Saints, it is right to rejoice that Jesus calls us friends. It is good news that He has drawn near to us in grace and mercy. But let us take care lest we become too cavalier or presumptuous in our relationship with Him. For He is also holy and righteous and pure, a consuming fire. Or in the words of Mr. Beaver, Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.
