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| Jesus' face shone like the sun. Transfigured! Amazing Grace. |
Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus' appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus. Peter exclaimed, "Rabbi, it's wonderful for us to be here! Let's make three shelters as memorials--one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He said this because he didn't really know what else to say, for they were all terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him." Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them. As they went back down the mountain, he told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept it to themselves, but they often asked each other what he meant by "rising from the dead." Mark 9:2-10
About eight days later, Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem. Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus' glory and the two men standing with him. As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, "Master, it's wonderful for us to be here! Let's make three shelters as memorials--one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." But even as he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them. Then a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him." When the voice finished, Jesus was there alone. They didn't tell anyone at that time what they had seen. Luke 9:28-36
Meditate on change and recognized approval.
Transfiguration. It is the complete change in appearance to a more beautiful spiritual state. That is just what Jesus went through on that mountain. John, James, and Peter went with him, but apparently fell asleep. When they woke up, they saw Moses and Elijah with Jesus. What?! Those guys had been dead for years! Peter suggests making shelters for each of them, since apparently it was the time of the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles when everyone built shelters to remember the tent dwellings at the time of the Exodus from Egypt and slavery. That request wasn’t necessary since the elder Israelites left. As Jesus and His friends prepared to leave, they were shocked to hear the voice of God. Yes, the actual voice of God thundering from Heaven. "This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him." That was very similar to God’s proclamation at the baptism of Jesus. Jesus was obviously doing what God had requested of Him—He was obedient. God was pleased. Peter recalls this event in his book recorded later in the New Testament.
For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy." We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place--until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:16-21
It is inspiring that Peter authenticated this event. He had the opportunity to TELL--when at the time of this, he was forbidden to do that. It must have been an awesome experience—for Jesus and His disciples. God was recognizing Jesus and giving His voice of approval. One day, we can hope to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” as Jesus taught in the parable of the three servants as recorded in Matthew 25:14-30. You can read that for yourself. What will you hear at the end of your life? To be proclaimed “faithful” or dearly loved, we have to be obedient now. Am I? We can try—but it is only with guidance and power from the Holy Spirit that it truly happens. Will we be transformed someday?
What do we learn about the character of Jesus from these scripture passages today?
Prayer – Lord Jesus, open our eyes to Your truth and mercy. I want to be obedient—but it is not my will, but Yours that will be done. I praise You for Your obedient example. Thank You.
Verses of Salvation ~ But when God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace, he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. Titus 3:4-7
© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories
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