The Mount of Transfiguration is an event recorded in the Synoptic Gospels where Jesus is transfigured and becomes radiant in glory upon a mountain. This event occurs towards the middle of Jesus’ public ministry shortly after Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ. The Mount of Transfiguration serves as a pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry where God the Father affirms Jesus’ identity and glory.
Biblical Accounts of the Transfiguration
The Transfiguration of Jesus is recorded in Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36. In each account, Jesus takes Peter, James and John up to a high mountain where he is transfigured before them. Jesus’ face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as light. Elijah and Moses also appeared and were talking with Jesus about his impending departure. A bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The disciples fell facedown in fear, but Jesus touched them and told them not to be afraid. When they looked up, they saw only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them not to tell anyone about the vision until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Identifying the Mount of Transfiguration
The specific mountain where the Transfiguration took place is not identified in Scripture. However, based on the accounts, it was a high mountain near Caesarea Philippi. Tradition holds that it was Mount Tabor in Israel. Others have suggested Mount Hermon located in the Golan Heights along the border of Syria and Israel. Mount Hermon’s height of 9,232 feet seems to match the description of a “high mountain.” Its remote location also fits the private nature of Jesus’ experience with just Peter, James and John.
Significance of the Transfiguration
The Transfiguration carries great theological significance related to Jesus’ identity and mission. Here are some of the key meanings behind this pivotal event:
Revelation of Christ’s Divine Glory
The Transfiguration provides a glimpse of Jesus’ divine glory as the Son of God. His face shining like the sun and clothes glistening white as light reveal his heavenly splendor. By becoming radiant in glory, Jesus displays his divine nature and equality with God the Father. The voice from heaven affirms this by proclaiming, “This is my beloved Son.”
Confirmation of Jesus as the Messiah
In addition to his divine glory, Jesus’ conversation with Moses and Elijah strengthen his credentials as the Jewish Messiah. Moses represents the Law and Elijah represents the Prophets – the two main divisions of the Old Testament Scriptures. Their presence signifies Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets as the long-awaited Messiah.
Jesus as the New Exodus
Moses and Elijah were also key leaders associated with Israel’s exodus from Egypt. Jesus’ appearance with them connects him to the exodus story and portrays him as the leader of a New Exodus. Just as Moses led Israel out of physical slavery in Egypt, Jesus will lead people out of spiritual slavery to sin through his death and resurrection.
Prefigures the Resurrection
The Transfiguration foreshadows Jesus’ resurrection. At the Transfiguration, Jesus briefly peels back his earthly body to reveal his heavenly glory. This provides a glimpse of the glory which Jesus will fully manifest after his resurrection. The Transfiguration displays in part what the disciples will see in whole after Jesus conquers sin and death.
Affirms Jesus’ Authority
God’s voice from heaven affirms Jesus’ authority by commanding the disciples to “listen to him.” This identifies Jesus as God’s unique Son and the supreme teacher who speaks divine truth. The Transfiguration establishes Jesus’ role as the one who supersedes both Moses and Elijah as the preeminent messenger of God.
Prepares the Disciples
The Transfiguration also prepared Jesus’ disciples for his impending death and resurrection. By revealing his divine glory, it strengthened their faith to face Jesus’ crucifixion. The Transfiguration displayed the truth of who Jesus was amidst the confusion of his upcoming suffering. It aimed to bolster the disciples’ trust in Christ’s sovereignty over the horrific events about to unfold.
Contrast with Jesus’ Baptism
The Transfiguration mirrors Jesus’ baptism in several key ways. At his baptism, Jesus emerges from the water and the voice of God the Father affirms him as his beloved Son (Matthew 3:13-17). At the Transfiguration, the same voice speaks from the bright cloud identifying Jesus as God’s Son and commanding obedience to him. Both events publicly confirm Jesus’ identity and mission at key junctures – his baptism marking the beginning and his transfiguration marking the middle of his earthly ministry.
Connection to the Feast of Tabernacles
The timing of the Transfiguration may be connected to the Feast of Tabernacles which occurred six days earlier (Matthew 17:1). This important Jewish festival celebrated God’s provision and presence with Israel during the wilderness wanderings. Jews commemorated this by dwelling in temporary shelters or tabernacles. The Transfiguration mirrors this wilderness theme with Jesus ascending the mountain like Moses. There he temporarily inhabits the glorious tabernacle of his divine radiance before coming back down to complete his mission.
Contrast Between Sinai and the Mount of Transfiguration
There are both similarities and contrasts between Mount Sinai where Moses met with God and received the Law (Exodus 19), and the high mountain where Jesus was transfigured. At both mountaintop events, the voice of God speaks from a cloud affirming his chosen servant – Moses and Jesus respectively. Both events filled the witnesses with fear. However, Moses met with God amidst smoke, thunder, and lightning, while the disciples met with Jesus amidst his quiet radiance. Moses veiled his face, while Jesus’ face shone openly. Moses received the written Law, while Jesus reveals himself as the living Word. Ultimately, while the meeting at Mount Sinai highlighted the distance between a holy God and sinful people, Jesus bridges that gap by providing direct access to God.
Foreshadowing of the Second Coming
Many see the Transfiguration as a preview of Christ’s Second Coming. At his return, Jesus will transform the earthly bodies of believers into glorified, heavenly bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-55). His own blinding heavenly glory will illuminate the earth (Revelation 21:23). The disciples’ glimpse of Jesus in divine splendor foreshadows the glory all believers will share with him for eternity. As such, the Transfiguration provides a hopeful anticipation of the resurrection and the new creation yet to come.
Lessons from the Transfiguration for Believers
While the Transfiguration revealed Jesus’ divine glory, it contains valuable lessons for those who follow Christ. Here are some key lessons believers can take from this pivotal episode:
Listen to Christ
As God commanded, believers must listen to and obey Jesus above all others. Jesus is the supreme teacher and authority over the Christian life and church.
Remain Christ-centered
When overwhelmed by fear or doubt, believers should look to Christ. Like the disciples, we can become distracted by the problems around us. The Transfiguration shows Jesus conquering fear and shining as the true focal point.
Catch glimpses of future glory
While still living in a fallen world, believers can get tastes of heavenly glory through Christ’s presence. These glimpses sustain us until his Second Coming.
Wait patiently for God’s timing
Though confusing in the moment, God’s timing is perfect. The disciples had to wait until after the resurrection to understand the Transfiguration. We too must trust God’s timing.
Stay faithful through suffering
The Transfiguration steeled the disciples for Christ’s suffering. We too can endure sufferings by looking to Jesus in faith.
Conclusion
The Transfiguration stands out as a pivotal episode in Jesus’ earthly ministry. This mountaintop experience revealed his divine glory and confirmed his identity as the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah. As a preview of his post-resurrection glory, it prepared the disciples for the difficult road ahead and provided hope of future resurrection. This dazzling display on an unidentified mountaintop continues to point all believers to the radiant splendor of our glorified Savior.