Week 30: Glimpses of Glory
The Transfiguration and the Revelation of the Son
Theme:
In Matthew 17, heaven opens briefly to reveal the glory veiled in Jesus. The Transfiguration is a moment of divine unveiling—a reminder that Jesus is not just a teacher or prophet, but the radiant Son of God. It’s a pivotal moment that connects past prophecy, present identity, and future resurrection.
Objectives:
To understand the significance of the Transfiguration.
To recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets.
To reflect on the role of divine encounter in our spiritual formation.
To be challenged to carry the glory of God into everyday life.
Scripture Focus:
Introduction
The mountaintop experience of the Transfiguration is filled with awe, mystery, and divine presence. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up the mountain, not just to teach them, but to reveal Himself. What they see will shape their faith for the challenges ahead.
1. Heaven Reveals the Son
Jesus’ appearance is transformed—His face shines like the sun, and His clothes become radiant. This is not a change in nature but a revelation of what’s always been true. The presence of Moses and Elijah confirms that Jesus fulfills both the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 17:2–3).
2. The Father’s Voice
From the cloud, the Father speaks: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” This divine affirmation echoes Jesus’ baptism and reinforces His unique authority. The command to listen places Jesus above all others as the ultimate revelation of God (Matthew 17:5).
3. Fear and Intimacy
The disciples are overwhelmed and fall on their faces. But Jesus touches them—gently, intimately—and tells them not to be afraid. Divine encounters can be terrifying, yet Jesus bridges the gap between glory and grace (Matthew 17:6–7).
4. Seeing Before the Resurrection
This vision is a preview of the resurrected Christ—a gift to anchor the disciples’ faith through the coming trials. It affirms that suffering is not the end, but the path to eternal glory (Matthew 17:9).
5. Don’t Stay on the Mountain
Though Peter wants to remain in the moment, Jesus leads them back down. Spiritual encounters are not ends in themselves—they empower us for the valleys. Glory is carried, not contained (Matthew 17:4).
Exploring Key Themes
Jesus is the radiant fulfillment of prophecy: The presence of Moses and Elijah signals that He is the culmination of God’s plan.
The Father confirms Jesus’ divine identity: The voice from heaven leaves no doubt—Jesus is not just another prophet.
Intimacy and awe coexist in divine encounters: God’s glory humbles us, but Jesus’ presence lifts us.
Glory prepares us for suffering: The mountaintop is not the mission—it’s preparation for it.
Reflection and Response
How does the Transfiguration shape your view of Jesus?
What does it mean to truly “listen to Him” in your daily life?
Have you experienced moments of divine revelation? How did they affect your faith?
Where is God calling you to carry His glory today?
Key Takeaways
The Transfiguration reveals Jesus as the divine Son of God.
God affirms Jesus' authority and invites us to listen.
Encounters with glory prepare us for real-world mission.
Glory is meant to be carried, not hoarded.
Conclusion
The mountaintop is a sacred place of revelation, but Jesus always leads us back down—because the world needs what we’ve seen. The Transfiguration reminds us who He is, who we are in Him, and what we’re called to carry into the valleys: the radiant presence of God, revealed in Christ.