The Transfiguration of Christ

Matthew 17:1-9

One day Jesus took the three of His 12 apostles who were His close friends on a trip up the mountain with Him. They were two brothers named James and John, and their friend Peter. Jesus was taking them with Him so that they could see something they wouldn’t be allowed to tell others about until after Christ’s resurrection. But it was something they would see that would teach us about Who Jesus really is.

When they got to the top of the hill, Jesus was transfigured in front of them. That means that the form of how He looked changed right before their eyes. We don’t have any way of knowing what Jesus actually looked like then; only those three men saw it. They saw Who Jesus really is as God, not just man. And the Bible says that when He changed form and appearance, His face also started shining with light as bright as the sun! And His clothes turned white like light. People tend to think Jesus’ clothes were always white, and draw Him like that in pictures. But according to this Bible passage, His clothes when He walked on earth weren’t white. They became like white light miraculously for this time on the mountain.

The next thing that happened was also amazing. Moses and Elijah came and stood with Jesus there and were talking with Him. Moses we learned about in our lessons on Egypt and Exodus. Elijah was a prophet who came later but lived long before Jesus became a man on earth. Moses had died long before, and Elijah had left the world in a form of rapture. But both had been gone from the earth a long time. Now they were right there next to Jesus for a while.

Peter was overwhelmed. He said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good to be here. We should stay. If you want, I’ll make three tents–one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

Then something even more amazing happened. God the Father from heaven interrupted Peter, speaking out loud in a thundering voice. A bright cloud came down over them all, and God spoke about Jesus. “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” God the Father said.

The voice of God was so strong that the three disciples were terrified. They fell down on the ground on their faces. Jesus came to them and touched them, saying, “Get up. And don’t be afraid.” Then they looked up and didn’t see anyone but Jesus. Moses and Elijah were gone. Those two men had been there to worship Jesus and to let us know that He alone is God and He is the only Man to worship. Sometimes people make the mistake of praying to other saints who are in heaven; but only Jesus is God the Son. And only He is to be worshiped.

God the Father was well-pleased with His Son. Jesus would make the perfect sacrifice to pay for our sins in our place on the cross.