“Now about eight days after these sayings He [Jesus] took with Him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as He was praying, the appearance of His face was altered, and His clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with Him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His departure, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. And as the men were parting from Him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!’ And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.“
(Luke 9:28-36 ESV)
I wonder what it was like for Peter and John and James during the weeks after they saw Jesus transfigured on the mountain. Did they look sideways at Him, wondering if the familiar face they saw every day would suddenly transform again into glory? Did they think about the voice they heard from heaven, calling Jesus “My Son” and “My Chosen One”?
I think so. It would be hard to stop thinking about it, even if they weren’t allowed to talk about it (see Matthew 17:9). It would be hard to forget an experience like that.
And yet, it must have been just as hard to keep it in mind, when the next few days brought failure and embarrassment and mundane problems like paying the temple tax (see Matthew 17:24-27). What does failure have to do with the Son of God? What does shame and harassment have to do with glory?
Quite a lot, actually—for this is the Son of God who came to give His life to save us from sin and evil—and He does it through His own suffering of shame and abuse and pain. A friend betrays Him to His enemies, and He goes down to death looking like a failure. This doesn’t look like glory!
And yet it is—because Jesus’ cross shows us the full extent of His love and obedience to the Father, the incredible love and mercy which He has for us, who were once His enemies. When Jesus saved us He revealed His very heart—and nothing in heaven or on earth can compare to that glorious love. And now that He is risen from the dead, never to die again, we too will see His glory with our own eyes—because we belong to Him, and He wants us with Him forever.
WE PRAY: Thank You, dear Lord. Bring me safely home to You in the end, to You who love me. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on February 27, 2025
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights
Reflection Questions:
1. How will you recognize Jesus in heaven?
2. How did His disciples recognize Him after the resurrection?
3. Why do you think He chose to keep His scars?