Thoughts for the Day

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today we celebrate the Transfiguration of our Lord. This was probably on Mount Tabor, and is one of the most mysterious events in the Bible. It appears in Matthew, Mark and Luke's Gospels, but not rather strangely in John's Gospel. It tells us of things past, present, and future. We are reminded of the time that Moses went up another mountain, Mount Sinai, to talk to God (Exodus 19.1-6) and was given the Ten Commandments, but it also fulfils Moses' words about the one who was to come, that is a Prophet greater than himself (Deuteronomy 18.15-19). God warns that this Prophet will speak God's words and those who fail to listen will be held accountable. This seems to refer to the Messiah rather than to Moses' successor, Joshua.

We also see Jesus in his glory as he was, before his birth in Bethlehem, and we see him with Moses who represents the Law God gave to His people, and with Elijah who represents the Prophets God sent to lead His people. This moment at the top of the mountain symbolises the new agreement (the new Covenant) God makes with us his people. Covenants are two way agreements, so this one will be fulfilled through Jesus' offering of his life and death to save us from our sin, and through our allegiance to Him as our Saviour.

But even more astoundingly, the disciples hear the voice of God, declaring Jesus to be His Son, and so confirms Jesus as the Second Person of the Trinity, before He demands that the disciples listen to Him. We too should listen to God's words as given to us in the scriptures, and sometimes heard as a still small voice through others, or even in our head when we turn to Jesus. And such listening should encourage us to action.

Collect

Heavenly Father,
whose Son was transfigured -
and seen in all His glory by His disciples,
and who initiated a new covenant
with us His people,
may we meditate on this event today,
and on the declaration that He is Your Son,
and therefore the second person of the Trinity.
In a world that has become chaotic
through disease and war may we also
take seriously our task as Christians
to make a difference and heal its woes.
Amen.