The Transfiguration

The Transfiguration of Jesus is a revelation of the majestic glory that Jesus, the Son, shares with the Father. It is also a watershed in his earthly ministry. Up till then, the ministry of Jesus has been characterised by signs of God's Kingdom, but now he sets his face towards Jerusalem, the place of his death and subsequent resurrection. His glory will be seen in his death for the world. Luke records this as the topic of discussion between Jesus, Moses and Elijah. As R. E. Nixon writes in The New Bible Dictionary, "The transfiguration is ... a focal point in the revelation of the kingdom of God, for it looks back to the OT and shows how Christ fulfils it, and it looks on to the great events of the cross, resurrection, ascension and parousia [2nd coming]. Peter was wrong in trying to make the experience permanent. What was needed was the presence of Jesus alone and attention to his voice."