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A Glimpse of Heaven
the Transfiguration is a moment for clarifying Jesus’
identity
Samuel Stone
Fruitful Life @ Trinity
God doesn’t want us to worship the moment. It’s a form of
idolatry practiced by many religions
First,
he put Moses and Elijah at the same level with Jesus.
Second,
he wanted to idolize the glorious moment.
God's
voice corrected his mistakes. Let's take a look.
When I
was young, I often envied the disciples of Jesus for having a personal
experience with Jesus when he was here on earth.
I wish
there’s a way for me to have an in-person relationship with Jesus so that I can
understanding him better. I’m more of a visual learner.
It
would be a profound experience to be taught directly by the Son of God.
Then I
wondered, if I were one of the twelve, would I be like Peter, James, and John
because these three seemed to have been given a special attention by Jesus.
You
know Jesus always took them to important occasions.
I would
be even more envious if I found out Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the
mountain and showed them his transfiguration without me because that would be
an amazing experience to see Jesus in his divine form.
If
Peter, James, and John came back and told me what they saw on the mountain, I
would bag Jesus to take me the next day because I also want to have a glimpse
of heaven.
Wouldn’t
you all want to have a glimpse of heaven?
Let us
look at this passage to learn how to enjoy a glimpse of heaven.
The passage begins with, “Now about eight days after these
sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the
mountain to pray.” (verse 28)
It says
“after these sayings,” which points to the context.
In
verse 18, it says,
“Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near
him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’
19 They answered, ‘John the Baptist; but others,
Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.’
“20 He said to them, ‘But
who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Messiah of God.’” (Luke
9:18–20).
Based
on these verses, Jesus wanted the disciples to know who he is because he was
going to the cross someday later, and they are the ones to carry on spreading
the good news.
It’s
important for them to be convinced who he is.
However,
he didn’t want his identity to be public because the sooner everyone knows, the
sooner the religious leaders would get him crucified.
He
wants to train his disciples before the time comes.
But the
disciples must know who Jesus is. Did they know? They were not quite sure.
The
crowd believe Jesus was Elijah or one of the ancient prophets that has arisen.
Some
people would have thought Jesus could be Moses reincarnated since Jesus fed
five thousand people around the time of Passover.
During
Passover, the Jews were thinking about Moses who took them out of Egypt. Moses
also fed the people with manna in the desert.
When
they put two and two together, they might be linking Jesus with Moses.
However, when Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say that
I am?”
Peter
answered, “You are the Messiah.”
In
their concept, the Messiah is a mighty warrior of God who would come to
overturn the Roman occupation and reestablish the kingdom of Israel.
Then
Jesus told them that he would be crucified. Obviously, they were confused.
They
were expecting a warrior to save them, but Jesus was telling them that he would
die. If he couldn’t save his own life, how could he save Israel? They were
totally confused!
So, the
Transfiguration is a moment for clarifying Jesus’ identity to these disciples.
Jesus
is not Moses because Moses showed up in front of them next to Jesus. Jesus is
not Elijah either because Elijah also showed up.
So,
this resolved the confusion. Jesus is not some past prophets that returned from
the dead.
“And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed,
and his clothes became dazzling white.
“30 Suddenly they saw
two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They
appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to
accomplish at Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:29–31).
The
Bible says that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah discussed Jesus “departure,”
which is about what Jesus has already told the disciples.
Even
though no details were mentioned, it hinted that he would be crucified in
Jerusalem and that’s how Jesus would depart.
The
word “departure” also means exodus.
Just as
Moses led the Israelites on the exodus from slavery in Egypt, Jesus will lead
the entire humanity to depart from enslavement of sin.
At
Moses exodus, each family had to sacrifice a lamb and paint the blood of
the lamb on the door frame as a sign of salvation.
At
Jesus exodus, our spirit is marked with Jesus blood as a sign salvation.
That’s
why today, we receive the communion to remember Jesus’ sacrifice and our
salvation through the blood of Christ.
Moses
was also the law giver.
So, in
a sense, Moses represents the law, and Elijah represents the prophets. The two
of them represents the Old Testament.
When
the disciples saw the three giants from history, they didn’t know what to do.
They
want to capture the beautiful scene of the dazzling lights. The want to capture
the glimpse of heaven.
Seeing
that they are about to leave, Peter said,
“Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three
dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (verse 33c).
The
Bible says Peter didn’t know what he was talking about, but his statement
indicates two mistakes.
The
first mistake is that Peter wanted to build three niches for the three
spiritual giants, but his statement put Moses and Elijah equal to Jesus.
This
statement might have reflected the disciples understanding of Jesus. They
believed Jesus is the Messiah, but he is just like one of the great prophets.
Even
today, many people believe Jesus is one of the roads to Rome, as in all roads
lead to Rome.
The Muslims
believe Jesus is one of the Prophets.
The
Unitarian Universalists believe Jesus is just one of the many gods.
Peter
has made a similar mistake here. So, it must be corrected.
The
second mistake is that he wants to freeze the moment and keep it there forever.
He said it’s good for them to be just like that and he would build them three
dwellings.
Now,
God himself voiced the correction.
“While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed
them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then
from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to
him!’” (verse 34-35).
God’s voice came to clarify who Jesus is, “This is my Son, my
Chosen; listen to him!”
This
statement sealed the deal for Peter. Don’t think about building three niches
because the three of them are not at the same level.
Jesus
is the Son and he is the Chosen one. Don’t put Jesus together at the same level
with others.
Then
God said, “You must listen to my Son!”
You
don’t have to freeze the scene of the glimpse of heaven.
Jesus
is the heaven and you are walking and talking in heaven as you walk and talk
with him. Building a niche or freezing a wonderful time is idolatry.
Now it
comes back to how to have a glimpse of heaven.
The passage begins by saying, “Jesus took with him Peter and
John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.”
To do
what? “To Pray!”
It’s
understandable that we want to capture the moment and keep it forever, but God
gives us a way make every moment a glimpse of heaven, “Listen to Jesus.”
That
means reading the scripture and contemplating on it. Don’t just dwell on a
certain moment or experience.
For
example, sometimes on Sunday at the church you might experience a glorious
revelation through sermon, or music, but don’t dwell on it.
Make
every day a glorious day by walking with Jesus. The Bible says,
“If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we
have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us
from all sin.” (1 Jn
1:7).
God
doesn’t want us to capture a moment of heaven. God wants us to walk in heaven
at every moment by listening to him.
How do
you listen to him? Study his words and meditate on it. It’s called
contemplation. So, let us contemplate on God’s word all the time.
Until
we meet again, keep cultivating a fruitful life because faith is futile without
fruit. Amen!
Pastor • Trinity
Presbyterian Church • North
Jersey • Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
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