The first verse of our chapter could easily be attached to the prior paragraph or stand alone as it is in several contemporary translations. But because of the chapter and verse divisions, it has been associated with our passage for today. Wherever the Lord in His wisdom would intend it be placed, the testimony is clear that in and through Jesus Christ the heavenly kingdom would be revealed in power. Most commentaries agree that the event in mind is the crucifixion which leads to the resurrection and ascension. Towards that event, Jesus would increasingly prepare and instruct His disciples - if they would hear and understand Him. The transfiguration, which follows is meant to reveal the diety of Christ - God in the flesh for those who are willing accept it.

Well we know in our time that the majority of people either by their inattention, bad education or personal stubborness refuse to consider the likelihood of this doctrinal truth. After all, any man, even a prophet can be ignored, but suppose the God of heaven and earth actually spoke - who could responsibly ignore what He had to say? And yet the world at large seeks every means and method of doing just that. Not so are the disciples and those who are also called to faith in the Lord's Anointed. We must perceive who the Christ really is and in the context of the discussion between the prophet, the lawgiver and the Messiah Himself, we must understand that the coming crucifixion is no accident of history. No indeed, the Lord of life would go forward to His appointed death in the full light of His own knowledge and that providential palnning of our Father in heaven.

About a week after Peter's confession that Jesus was the Lord's Anointed Messiah, Jesus and the three stepped apart from not only the crowd but the other nine disciples as well. Jesus led them up high on a mountain. There, like Moses and Elijah at Sinai and Horeb ages before, the presence of God was to be revealed. God Himself would speak, not only through the prophets and the law and their agents Elijah and Moses - but straight forward in His own voice. "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!"

Several movies in the last few decades have allowed "angelic beings" to put on and take off the mortal skin of humans to conceal their "heavenly" origin. But, then Hollywood is allowed a lot more latitute in such symbolism and literary processes than anyone will give to any reports from Christ's own Church. Harry Potter's fictional incredulity receives by far, more patience and respect than any of the factual events reported in Scripture. Where are the form, literary and redactionary critics when it comes to worldly literature or their fantastic characters like the Pokemon collection?

And yet, here on the mountain is One greater than the law and the prophets. The One to whom they all witnessed, promised and looked forward to! Before the eyes of the three followers, the real divine light of Christ was revealed. The white intensity of the eternal Light shown forth to their amazement. Then, two others - immediately recognized as Elijah and Moses appeared and talked with Him.

"But why did these two appear rather than others who equally belonged to the company of the holy fathers?" Calvin asks, then continues: "It was intended to demonstrate that Christ alone is the end of the Law and of the Prophets; and that single reason ought to satisfy us: for it was of the utmost importance to our faith that Christ did not come into our world without a testimony, but with commendations which God had formerly bestowed. I have no objection, however, to the reason which is commonly adduced, that Elijah was selected, in preference to others, as the representative of all the Prophets; because, though he left nothing in writing, yet next to Moses he was the most distinguished of their number, restored the worship of God which had been corrupted, and stood unrivaled in his exertions for vindicating the Law and true godliness, which was at that time almost extinct."

Both of these figures were expected to return before the end of time. Dr Keener tells us that: "Most Jewish people were expecting the real Elijah (whom the disciples saw speaking with Jesus), but by applying the promise of Elijah to John, Jesus interprets it much more symbolically than most of his contemporaries would." Thus, we see the common expectations of the people dispensed with. The promised Heavenly Kingdom will come in power - but not in accordance with the general expectations accepted by the men of any time.

The greatest problem that the disciples will have is to hear the Lord's plan for a Messianic death - where the expected delivering King will be executed instead of taking the the political power into His hands. Remember, Jesus had already been tempted by Satan into establishing an earthly millennial kingdom. Since Jesus refused, that fact should really satisfy the millennial expectations of people in every age. The real kingdom as well as the real King is spiritually founded and not of this world. The witness here of Moses and Elijah in this regard should be considered well. According to the witness of Luke, their discussion with Jesus was about coming appointment with death. A dead king cannot rule as the disciples more easily understood. But, the three did catch a phrase "rising from the dead" and wondered aloud about its meaning.

One aspect of the scene before us is hardly worth considering, after all Peter was speaking like a fool - having no idea what he was talking about. We know from Luke that the disciples had been sleeping and Peter was hardly more lucid here awake! I can remember events from my teenage years and even in college, seminary and the army when I met with circumstances unexpected. It took a long time to learn that when you don't know what to say, it is better to keep quiet. Once in basic training being driven back to the barracks to prepare for an interview. As I walked in with my rifle in hand, I met the Captain coming out the door. Since I had the door in one hand and my rifle in the other, I had no way to give him the required salute. After looking at me and saying "Well?", he laughed and suggested that the respect of a salute was more important than opening the door which he could well do himself!

And so, the ludicrous suggestiong the building of ceremonial tabernacles is just that because what really can mere men do to serve the God of heaven except what He asks us to do.

So we should not be surprised when Jesus tells them to keep quiet about what they have seen. Time and the eventual experience of the resurrection and ascension will make this moment understandable. Thankfully, when we read the story reported by Peter through Mark - we know the final end of the matter. God is in Christ and Jesus is the Lord incarnate! We should have no qualms about the transfiguration revealed in this passage. The Lord of all the earth has come down, left His glory by and deigned to grace us with His presence, His word and His sacrifice.

In Peter's second letter (16-18) his mind dwells again on the revelation to which he was given directly from the Father:

"For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain."

That mountain top experience of the transfiguration was well understood by Peter and the other disciples "as a brief anticipation of the divine glory with which Christ will return to the earth." (New Geneva Study Bible) May we as well see in this account the awesome glory of our Christ, knowing that in Him God indeed came to earth to fulfill all things for His own holiness, righteousness and glory. Our interest in this transfiguration lies in the purpose for which He came, to be offered as the sacrifice for our sins - so that we might have eternal life with Him forever and ever.

One last thought on this passage. Dr Cole asks rhetorically in his commentary: "Why did the Lord take Peter, and James, and John? ... If such a question has any answer, it may be that these three had shown themselves especially spiritually responsive to what illumination they had already been given. For it is an abiding spiritual principle that "for to everyone who has, more will be given" (Matt 25::29). Yet in another sense, even this spiritual receptivity is a gift of God, and we are no nearer the heart of the mystery than before. But at least it is clear from the parable of the talents that we are responsible for the use or abuse of the spiritual privileges committed to us ... whether these are great or small."

I know that some of you have been challenged by the reformed othodoxy which is nothing more than the essential truths of Holy Scripture. Certainly the good news of a general evangelicalism is sufficient for salvation. However, the true greatness of that good news seriously challenges us to say and do more than we ever thought possible with the full knowledge that this Son of Man - Jesus - is indeed a person of the Triune God Himself. For too long the various churches of Jesus Christ have only pretended that the stories were truthful and we have seen the lack of power and authority in such a witness. May we with Peter, James and John realize like the early church that there is a lot more to the story of the Gospel than most moderns will allow or imagine. And if we are able to repeat the Gospel message with the same intensity and power as the early church - perhaps the Lord will bring a revival and reformation in our day and time. Come Lord Jesus again in power and show your divinity to the helpless and hapless world around us even as you have shown it to us. Amen.