Luke 9:28-36 (NRSV)
Read Luke 9:28-36 on biblegateway.com
Verse 28Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. Verse 29And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Verse 30Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. Verse 31They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Verse 32Now 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. Verse 33Just 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. Verse 34While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Verse 35Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" Verse 36When 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.
Devotion
On the Mount of the Transfiguration Moses, Elijah and Jesus have a conversation about Jesus’ departure, soon to happen in Jerusalem at the conclusion of his earthly ministry. The Greek word exodus connects Jesus’ departure to God’s saving of his people Israel from Egypt. We have Moses, the deliverer, his shining face fading, with Jesus and his face that fades not! His glorious splendor breaks through the thick mountain wilderness, beyond our imagining or re-creating by strobe, LED, fog light or lighthouse that warn of dangers in the dark!
But then comes a voice not heard by the Israelites at Mt. Sinai when Moses’ face shone. The voice is greater than the great voice of prophets like Elijah: “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him!” No mere man is transfigured here. Only God’s son!
Prayer
Dear Jesus, God’s son, open my ears to listen and my eyes to see the glorious splendor of your presence in my life today. Amen!