All of us have experienced events in our lives that are so far beyond the usual that they seem almost to be out of this world events. Our weddings, the births of our children and the deaths of loved ones affect us more than the brief time they take. There are also events that are not personal but corporate. They affect at least a large portion of society. September 11, 2001, was such an event. Just the date is enough for everyone to know what I’m talking about, there is no need to mention what took place. Even more than twenty years later our daily lives are different than they were before because we all lived through that day.
In the ministry of Jesus there were events experienced by the disciples which changed their lives in extraordinary ways. The disciples were never the same after seeing the death of Jesus. After the resurrection everything they had known, or assumed, was changed. After the Holy Spirit came upon them on Pentecost all of their lives were new. Another event that changed the lives of those who experienced it was the Transfiguration of Jesus. Peter, James, and John went up a high mountain with Jesus. This was not an uncommon event; Jesus often went off with groups of his disciples to pray. But this time Jesus was transfigured in their presence. Jesus glowed with the glory of God. Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Jesus. Then they were all overshadowed by a cloud and a voice from the cloud proclaimed “ This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Life was different for Peter, James, and John after that. We can all understand that such an event would be life-changing, but for these three disciples it changed everything in their lives. They not only followed Jesus, they became the inner circle who were the leaders not only of the disciples, but of the early church as well.
How we long for such an event, such confirmation of our faith. How do we live in faith without seeing the Transfiguration?