Scripture Daily

Context No. 3061 of 4322 · Luke

Context · Reflection

Luke 9:28-33: in context

28About eight days after these sayings, he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray. 29As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling. 30Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him. 33As they were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not knowing what he said.

Jesus takes Peter, John, and James up the mountain to pray, and as he prays, the appearance of his face changes and his clothing turns dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear in glory, and, of all things, they speak with him about his departure, his coming exodus, which he is about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Peter, heavy with sleep and then overwhelmed, blurts out that they should build three tents, not knowing what he is saying.

On the mountain, Jesus' hidden glory shines out, and the Law and the Prophets, in Moses and Elijah, stand with him. Yet the subject of their conversation is the cross, his departure at Jerusalem. Even in this moment of radiance, the talk is of suffering. Peter, dazzled, wants to freeze the moment, to build tents and stay on the mountain, but he misunderstands. The glory leads not to a permanent retreat but down the mountain and on to Jerusalem. The vision was given to strengthen them for the suffering ahead, not to help them escape it.

When God gives me a mountaintop glimpse of his glory, do I want to stay and build tents there, or let it strengthen me for the hard road down and ahead?

Sources