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And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. Mark 9:9
D.L. MOODY
It is a singular fact that John, the only Gospel writer who was with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration, does not give an account of it. Perhaps the scene was so solemn, so impressive, and so holy that he could not bring himself to write of it. Peter, who was also present, barely mentioned it in his writings that have come down to us. His only reference to the scene is in his second letter, written many years afterward, when he was an old man: “We were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount” (2 Peter 1:16–18).
ERWIN LUTZER
What did Jesus’ transfiguration mean to Peter, James, and John? Well, they were discussing His exodus, that is, Jesus’ coming death in Jerusalem. And second, the transfiguration showed them the glory that would be waiting for them at death. James was the first disciple to be martyred, and I can imagine him thinking, “I have seen the glory waiting for me on the other side.” Tradition says Peter was crucified for his faith, and John lived with persecution and was eventually exiled on the island of Patmos.
The three of them would never view death the same again for they had “seen the glory.” For us, with the eye of faith, we see glory, and when we join Jesus in glory, “we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
If only we were to remember the glory that awaits us, we would face death without fear.
PRAYER
Father, may my coming glory motivate me to live on Earth for your glory alone.REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How does knowing that future glory awaits believers affect how you view present trials and suffering?
In what ways can your life reflect the glory of Christ?