Of
all the earthshaking things Peter witnessed, his experience on the Mount of
Transfiguration certainly would rank in the top ten. Peter, James, and John went with Jesus to a
high mountain to pray. While there Jesus
was transformed. His face was changed,
and his clothing took on an incredibly white appearance. Some translations compare this brilliance to
that of lightning. Also, there were two
visitors, Moses, and Elijah. They too
were appearing in splendor. Now a week earlier Jesus had predicted that some of
the disciples would experience the kingdom of God before they died. Certainly, this is what he was talking about.
They are getting a glimpse of the kingdom by seeing Jesus in His glory. Whether this was full glory or partial, we
really can't say. But we do know that his
natural radiance was being revealed. Also,
they were meeting two of the most prominent Old Testament saints. Moses and Elijah were discussing his upcoming
crucifixion and resurrection with Jesus.
But
I tell you most certainly, there are some standing here who will not experience
death before they see the kingdom of God.” Now about eight days after these
sayings, Jesus took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up the mountain
to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his
clothes became very bright, a brilliant white. Then two men, Moses, and Elijah,
began talking with him. They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke about his
departure that he was about to carry out at Jerusalem. (Lk 9:27-30, NET)
Now
Peter and those with him were quite sleepy, but as they became fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. Then as the men were
starting to leave, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here.
Let us make three shelters, one for you and one for Moses and one for
Elijah”—not knowing what he was saying. As he was saying this, a cloud came and
overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. Then a voice
came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him!”
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. So they kept silent and told
no one at that time anything of what they had seen. (Lk 9:32-36, NET)
Once
Peter, James, and John woke up, Peter speaks out of turn. He is obviously a bit flustered by the
scene. As was his blustering habit, he
suggests to Jesus that they celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. By suggesting three shelters he might be
indicating that he was placing Jesus as equals with Moses and Elijah, probably
meant as a complement to Jesus. But by
the response of the "Majestic Glory" we see that the Father did not
see eye to eye with Peter. After hearing the voice from the cloud, they were
afraid. In Matthew and Mark, it says
they were terrified. In Matthew it says,
“When the disciples heard this, they were overwhelmed with fear and threw
themselves down with their faces to the ground." (Mt 17:6, NET)
So,
what did Peter see? First, he sees Jesus
in a transformed state. He witnesses the
radiance of His glory. Then he sees two
of the most prominent Old Testament characters conversing with Jesus about his
resurrection. Finally, he hears the
Father's voice from the cloud. Quite a
day.
Few
people have ever witnessed what Peter, James, and John saw that day. Ezekiel, Daniel, and the Apostle John all saw
things like Peter's experience, but they were visions (Ezek 1:26; Dan 7:13; Rev
1:13). This was a real live event.
So,
what lasting impact did this experience have on Peter? We know it didn't cause an immediate
change. Peter still denies Jesus three
times before the cock crows. As a
matter of fact, all that Peter saw during his three-year discipleship training
with Jesus had only minor effect on him- UNTIL PENTECOST. Once indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit
we see incredible changes. The once
fearful disciple boldly proclaims Christ (Acts 1-15).
For
we did not follow cleverly concocted fables when we made known to you the power
and return of our Lord Jesus Christ; no, we were eyewitnesses of his grandeur.
For he received honor and glory from God the Father, when that voice was
conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory: “This is my dear Son, in whom I am
delighted. ”When this voice was conveyed from heaven, we ourselves heard it,
for we were with him on the holy mountain. (2 Pet 1:16-18, NET)
This
passage clearly shows us that Peter considered the gospel message to be solidly
rooted in historical facts. Most other
religions are based on "cleverly concocted fables" as he puts
it. He also asserts his veracity as an
eyewitness of these things. Peter, along
with all the gospel writers, were witnesses to the life, death, and
resurrection of Christ.
Moreover,
we possess the prophetic word as an altogether reliable thing. You do well if
you pay attention to this as you would to a light shining in a murky place,
until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you
do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the
prophet’s own imagination, for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse;
rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2 Pet 1:19-21, NET)
In
addition to the historical basis for the gospel message we have the divine
inspiration of the Holy Spirit. At
Pentecost Peter was filled with the Spirit as Jesus predicted (Acts 1:8). And
he saw amazing results (Acts 2:37-41) Peter understood the process God used to
inspire the Scriptures. And he reminds
us that as he writes 1st and 2nd Peter, he is writing under the inspiration of
the Holy Spirit as were the other writers (2 Pet 3:15-16). The Scriptures were
not a product of human impulse, but rather Holy Spirit inspiration.
Every
scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God
may be capable and equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17, NET)
Peter's
experience on the Mount of Transfiguration helped cement these realities in his
heart and mind. When empowered by the
Holy Spirit, it gave him great confidence to proclaim the gospel message with
boldness. He spoke about what he had
seen and heard, not some cleverly concocted fables.
Questions to consider:
- As you read scripture, what are you learning about the Lord Jesus Christ?
- What changes are you seeing in your attitudes and actions as you learn more about the Lord?
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