The Transfiguration
Luke 9:28 And some eight days after these sayings, it came about that He took along Peter and John and James, and went up to the mountain to pray. 29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.
Introduction
This morning as we prepare ourselves for the celebration of the Transfiguration, I want us to begin with a simple question:
The short answer is that the Transfiguration is a foretaste of the Glory that Christ’s mission will accomplish. In other words, it is a glimpse at the glory of His resurrection and the glory of His coming Kingdom.
But why is that foretaste so important (interesting/spectacular and vitally important are two different things)?
In our text this morning what we find is that three times God uses this foretaste as a vital preparation. – a preparation that God has preserved in Scripture so that you and I may share in its essential conditioning.
Verse 29
Notice at once: Jesus and His three closest followers go up to the mountain to pray. However, remember the context: some eight days earlier Jesus makes His first announcement about His impending death (Luke 9:22). Not only that, after coming down from the mountain, Jesus begins His journey to Jerusalem and the Cross (Luke 9:51). In other words, the Transfiguration account is framed by the theme of Christ’s sacrifice. Whatever is going on here has everything to do with Calvary and our redemption.
Next, notice that while Jesus is praying He is wonderfully and amazingly transfigured. Luke tells us that Jesus’ face became different and that His clothes became like bright, dazzling, flashes of lightening FN #1. Importance: at once we are alerted to the fact that the primary message of this passage will be conveyed visually (think about it: there is only one sentence spoken to us in the entire account and it comes at the very end). In other words, this is a lesson we are meant to see and reflect upon. Notice then the picture that is set before our eyes: it is one of overwhelming goodness, majesty, and power. That is, we are being invited to behold and ponder the glory of our Redeemer King. Importance: what does this picture tell us about Jesus. Not only that, what does this picture tell you about your present priorities, desires, fears, and worries once they are examined in Transfiguration light (cf. 9:23-25)?
Verses 30-31
Notice at once, no sooner do we see Jesus transfigured that we find two men talking with Him. Notice what they are talking about. Scripture says that they are speaking with Jesus about His departure/death. However, please note: the Greek here is far more explicit. What the Greek says is that these men were talking to Jesus about His exodus (ἔξοδος) which He was about to fulfill (πληρόω) at Jerusalem FN #2&3. Not only that, notice who these two men are: they are none other than Moses and Elijah. Why? Both their ministries prepared for and are fulfilled by Christ. In other words, to see Moses and Elijah is to see the very essence of the work that Christ has come to accomplish. Notice then: Moses is the covenant mediator who led His people out of bondage in Egypt. Elijah is the chief Old Testament prophet who turned God’s people back to God. In other words, the salvation that Christ has come to accomplish is both a deliverance from sin and a restoration to God (the grace that saves both forgives and heals)
However, please note: it is important that we keep in mind that the first preparation that we encounter is not our preparation. Rather, it is a preparation of Christ for the work of salvation that He would soon undertake. Notice then, we see the three men talking but we do not hear what they are saying. Why? It is not our preparation. That said, this first preparation does set our focus. Thus as we stand and behold our transfigured Lord, we are reminded that throughout this entire passage Christ is the focus.
Verse 32-33
Notice at once that through much of the conversation between Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, the disciples are overcome with sleep FN#4. However, please note: they do not remain asleep the entire time. Instead, they are allowed to wake and see the scene before them. Importance: notice then what they see when they wake: first, they see the glory of Christ their King (Christ is the focus). Second, in seeing Christ transfigured, they see the resurrection glory His mission will accomplish for His people. Finally, they see the glorious nature of the salvation Christ gives. Where? They see Moses and Elijah (deliverance and restoration). Simply put: the second preparation we encounter on the mountain is a preparation of the disciple.
However, notice the surprise: before we can see this second preparation unfold, it is interrupted by the disciples’ own misguided attempt at preparation. Notice then as Moses and Elijah begin to depart, Peter offers to build a shelter/booth/covering for each of them. Why? He hopes that the accommodations might entice them to stay a little longer FN#5. However, Scripture tell us that he did not realize what he was saying. Notice then the problem with Peter’s offer: first, Peter’s attempt is to have the ministry of the Old promissory Covenant linger. He does not yet realize that Christ must fulfill and thereby supplant the shadow of the Old (Heb 9:8). Second, Peter does not yet fully grasp that Christ alone is the hope and sufficiency of mankind. There is no need for others. In fact, there are no others who are even able to help. Importance: once again we are reminded that Christ is the focus.
Verse 34
Next, notice the startling correction: just as Peter is offering to build his coverings, they are enveloped in a cloud which overshadows/covers them. In other words, God provides the true covering FN#6. Notice then what this covering is: It is the Shekinah Glory of God’s presence FN#7. Importance: at once the Transfiguration reminds me that God’s people are to be cloud followers. That is, Jesus is to be our focus in every area of life and His Kingdom mission is to be the ultimate objective in every endeavor we undertake. However, our tendency is to become booth builders. That is, we try and take matters into our own hands, to figure out what we think is best, and inevitably we wind up pushing God and His purpose to the periphery of what we are doing.
Think about it: right now every single one of us has some area in our life where we are trying to build a booth (I’m not talking about a vice or a rebellion. Instead, I am talking about some area where you have taken your eyes off of God and taken matters into your own hands- It might be a relationship, it might be your job, it might be some financial matter, it might be a family issue. Regardless, I bet that if I asked you to write down what your booth is, you could do it in an instance.
Verses 35-36
Finally, notice how the event ends. It ends with a voice pointing to Christ and saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him. In other words, God’s focus is to be our focus. Notice the visual result: as soon as the voice finishes speaking, suddenly the disciples see Jesus alone. And that’s the whole point. However, please note: there is one final preparation offered by our passage. What? It is our preparation. In other words, God intends this same vision to prepare us for our share in the Kingdom life and work. Notice then the preparation we receive:
The Transfiguration underscores:
Foot Notes
1] The Greek word, ἐξαστράπτω translated here as dazzling, gleaming, or the likes is itself a picture. It literally means to flash like lightning.
2] The Greek word ἔξοδος (Exodus)- means death or departure only by extension. The more usual/expected term to use here would be θάνατος (death). However, given the context of Moses together with the fact that Christ is the fulfillment of the Passover, Luke’s word choice and play on meaning here seems intentional and profound.
3] “[They] were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish”
πληρόω (fill, fulfill, make full, complete)- the word here is translated accomplish. However, given the context and Luke’s play on the term Exodus, the primary meaning “fulfill” seems preferable.
4] There is an interesting symmetry here that invites our consideration- Notice that a short time after the Transfiguration (a matter of weeks), we find these same three disciples on another mountain with Jesus (the Mount of Olives in the Garden of Gethsemane) as Jesus once again prays and prepares to undertake the work of our redemption. Once again, these disciples sleep.
That said, I think these two instances of sleeping are different. During the Transfiguration they seem overcome with sleep while in Gethsemane they seem to sleep out of negligence. True as these differences may be, it seems these two pictures provide a bookend approach to the same basic point: Christ alone is able to undertake our salvation. His closest followers are either overwhelmed by the glory and magnitude of the endeavor (Transfiguration) or found too weak to even try to assist (Gethsemane).
5] Most explanations that I have heard regarding Peter’s mistake tend to suggest that Peter is equating the three men. However, given the immediate context and the fact that just eight days earlier, Peter makes His bold confession that Jesus is “the Christ of God” in clear distinction from other Old Testament figures (Luke 9: 18-22), it seems that the departure of Moses and Elijah play a larger role in Peter’s misguided offer. That said, his desire to have them stay would nonetheless expose that he had not fully grasped Christ’s distinction.
6] Again Luke’s word choice here is intentional and profound. Notice then Peter offers to build three coverings (σκηνη). The cloud that God sends overshadows/covers them (ἐπι–σκιάζω). God provides the true covering in distinction to the one Peter thinks is best.
7] Notice the imagery and language Luke uses identifies this cloud as non-other than the Shekinah Glory of the Spirit. Compare:
Luke 9:34 And while he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow (ἐπισκιάζω) them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
Exodus 40:35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting (σκηνη) because the cloud had settled on it (ἐπισκιάζω), and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle (σκηνη).
Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you (ἐπισκιάζω) ; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God.
Furthermore, notice that the Father speaks about the Son from the Spirit Cloud that manifests the throne room of the Godhead’s presence. In other words, Salvation is the work of the Triune God. Christ is the manifestation and focus of God with us. And the Godhead’s presence goes with Christ as He completes the work of our salvation.