The Sunday of the Transfiguration (CL)

Luke 9:28-36

²⁸ Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹ And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. ³⁰ And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, ³¹ who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³² 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. ³³ 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. ³⁴ As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” ³⁶ 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.

God appeared to his people of old in cloud and fire. The Old Testament even refers to the glory of the coming in the presence of a cloud. Jesus and his disciples are overshadowed by the glory of The Lord. It can be said that the Holy Trinity shows up three times in the Gospels (here, at the Baptism, and relatively at the cross).

I was recently informed that this text has nothing new to say. It is simply just saying things that are already said elsewhere. This individual even thought that it was a way for the Gospel writer to get to the empty tomb, before the crucifixion. I think this may often be way we see view this text.

But this was one the greatest events in the Gospel narrative to this point. God is confirming for the disciples who they believe he actually is. This is the only begotten Son of God. This is the one who Moses and Elijah pointed people toward. Jesus Christ is the one for which the people of God have been waiting. This is the one who redeem his people from their sins. Jesus is the righteous judge and good King.

 That is why the disciples need to wake up and pay attention to the cloud and it's voice.