“Listen to Him!” By Babatunde Olugboji
In Matthew 17: 1 – 8, Mark 9: 2 – 8, and Luke 9: 28 – 36, we have the account of the Transfiguration of Christ. This week, we’ll examine the meaning and importance of this powerful event, which happened six days after Christ informed His disciples that He must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised to life. (Luke 9:22)
On that day, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain for a session of prayer. While praying, His personal appearance was changed into a glorified form, and His clothing transformed into dazzling white apparel. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. (Matthew 17: 3) Significantly, Jesus didn’t take all His disciples up this mountain, He only went with three of them, His “inner circle,” or as some scholars have described it, his “kitchen cabinet.”
Moses and Elijah had a conversation with Jesus about his imminent death and Peter, not knowing what he was saying and being very fearful, offered to put up three shelters for them. This is clearly a reference to the booths that were used to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles when the Israelites dwelt in booths for seven days (Leviticus 23: 34–42). It appeared that Peter was completely overawed by the experience so much, so he expressed a wish to stay in that place.
When a cloud enveloped them, a voice said, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen, whom I love; listen to Him!” The cloud lifted, Moses and Elijah disappeared, and Jesus was alone with His disciples who were still very much afraid. Jesus warned them not to tell anyone what they had seen until after His resurrection. 
Undoubtedly, the purpose of the transfiguration of Christ into at least a part of his heavenly glory was so that the “inner circle” of his disciples could gain a greater understanding of who Jesus was. Christ underwent a dramatic change in appearance in order that the disciples could behold him in his glory. The disciples, who had only known Him in his human body, now had a greater realization of the deity of Christ, though they could not fully comprehend it. That gave them the reassurance they needed after hearing the shocking news of His coming death.
Symbolically, the appearance of Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets. But God’s voice from heaven – “Listen to Him!” – showed that the Law and the Prophets must give way to Jesus. The One who is the new and living way is replacing the old. He is the fulfillment of the Law and the prophecies in the Old Testament. And in His glorified form they saw a preview of His coming glorification and enthronement as King of kings and Lord of lords.
The disciples never forgot what happened that day on the mountain. John wrote in his gospel, “We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only.” (John 1:14) Peter also wrote of it, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain” (2 Peter 1:16-18). 
Those who witnessed the Transfiguration bore witness to it to the other disciples and to countless millions down through the centuries, including believers today. As a believer, are you obeying GOD’S instruction to “listen to Jesus?”
Have a great week.
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