A Glimpse of Glory

Title: "Behold His Glory"

Text: Luke 9:28–36 Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:18 — "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

I. Introduction: A Glimpse of Glory

Have you ever had a moment so beautiful, so awe-inspiring, that words just failed you? Maybe it was standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, watching a sunset paint the sky in colors you didn’t know existed. Or perhaps it was the first time you held your child in your arms, overwhelmed by love and wonder. Moments like these take our breath away — they give us just a hint of something greater. They stir something deep within us, a longing for beauty, for wonder, for a sense of the divine. It’s as if our hearts recognize that these glimpses of glory point to something — or Someone — far beyond our earthly experience.

But even these awe-filled moments pale in comparison to what we see in Luke 9:28–36. Imagine walking up a mountain with Jesus — your teacher, your friend — expecting just another time of prayer, and then witnessing something so otherworldly that it leaves you trembling. Peter, James, and John are given far more than a glimpse. They behold the unveiled glory of Jesus Christ — His divine nature shining through His humanity. It’s a vision so powerful, so life-altering, that they never forget it. And it changes everything.

II. The Context: Leading Up to the Mountain (Luke 9:18-27)

Just before this moment, in Luke 9:18–27, we see Peter’s great confession: "You are the Christ of God." Yet Jesus immediately follows that declaration with a sobering prediction of His suffering and death. It must have been confusing for the disciples — the idea of a suffering Messiah didn’t fit their expectations. And so, when Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up the mountain to pray, they likely had a lot of questions. What kind of Savior is this? What does His mission really mean?

As we delve deeper into their internal struggle. Peter's confession, "You are the Christ of God," was a moment of profound insight. But Jesus’ immediate prediction of suffering and death created a jarring dissonance. Their understanding of Messiah was one of power, victory, and earthly dominion. They were expecting a coronation, not a crucifixion. The disciples' confusion was not merely intellectual; it was emotional and spiritual. Their hopes and dreams were being challenged. They were grappling with the implications of Jesus’ words: If the Messiah must suffer, what did that mean for them? What did it mean for Israel? What did it mean for God's promises? Jesus’ teaching about taking up one’s cross (Luke 9:23) added another layer of complexity. This was not a metaphor they readily understood. It spoke of self-denial, suffering, and a radical commitment to Jesus, even unto death. It is within this atmosphere of deep confusion that Jesus leads them to pray. This action highlights the necessity of prayer during times of confusion. Jesus, being fully God and fully man, knew that he and his disciples needed the Fathers strength.

III. The Glory Revealed: Luke 9:28–31

As they prayed, something extraordinary happened. Jesus' appearance changed — His face shone, and His clothes became dazzling white. This wasn’t just a trick of light — this was His divine nature breaking through His humanity. And then, as if that wasn’t enough, Moses and Elijah appeared, speaking with Jesus about His “departure” — His exodus — that He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Now I do not know about you but I have always ponder about how they knew that this was Moses and Elijah, I certain they didn’t have name tags, I am almost certain that neither Peter, James or John had ever met Moses or Elijah, and scripture does not record for us that they had some sort of introduction, but they knew. Personally I think there is just somethings that are revealed in a way that is unexplainable, super-natural if you, that when God reveals something, such as this important event it is so apparent to us that it comes to us without words, or natural means, but again a super-natural understanding. Yet then we also have to turn around and see there are just somethings that come to us in unexpected ways and we will come to that in a couple of minutes.

This conversation wasn’t random. Moses represented the Law, and Elijah the Prophets — and both pointed to Jesus. His coming death and resurrection would fulfill everything they had spoken of, bringing deliverance not just from earthly oppression but from sin and death itself.

The transformation of Jesus' appearance was not a temporary manifestation; it was a revelation of His eternal glory. This was the glory He shared with the Father before the creation of the world (John 17:5). It was the glory veiled by His humanity, now shining forth in its fullness. Moses and Elijah's presence was not merely symbolic; it was a divine affirmation of Jesus' identity and mission. Moses represented the Law, which pointed to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment. Elijah represented the Prophets, whose prophecies found their culmination in Jesus. The Greek word exodos (departure) used in Luke 9:31 is significant. It echoes the Exodus of Israel from slavery in Egypt. But Jesus' exodus was far greater—a liberation from the bondage of sin and death. His death and resurrection would bring about a new covenant, a new creation. The conversation between Jesus, Moses, and Elijah centered on the heart of the gospel: the necessity of Christ's suffering and death for the redemption of humanity. This affirmed that the cross was not an afterthought, but the very purpose of Jesus’ coming.

Application: Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. When we struggle to trust God’s timing or His ways, we can remember that His entire story of salvation points to Christ — and in Him, every promise is fulfilled.

IV. The Disciples' Response: Luke 9:32–33

Peter, always quick to speak, suggests building three tents — one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. It’s an understandable reaction — when you witness something this glorious, you want to stay in it. But Peter misses the point. This moment isn’t meant to be captured and contained; it’s meant to prepare them for what lies ahead.

It is for us to come to understand the means by which God speaks to us. His suggestion to build shelters was a human attempt to preserve the moment, to hold onto the glory and avoid the suffering that lay ahead. It revealed a fundamental misunderstanding of God's plan. Peter wanted to create a monument, a memorial to the experience. But God's purpose was not to create a shrine, but to equip the disciples for mission. Peter’s response is the response of many believers. We want the blessings of God without the trials. We want the mountaintop experiences without the valleys. This however is not what Jesus told us, he said they would be hated by the world, we would be spoken ill of, and we would even be killed for this message. Yet it is this that we are to listen to Jesus.

Application: How often do we cling to moments of spiritual high and resist stepping into the harder work of faith? God gives us glimpses of His glory not just to encourage us, but to equip us for mission.

V. The Voice from Heaven: Luke 9:34–35

As Peter speaks, a cloud descends — a symbol of God’s presence throughout Scripture. And from the cloud, the Father’s voice thunders: "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to Him!"

This echoes the voice heard at Jesus’ baptism (Luke 3:22), but now with a command: Listen to Him. Not just admire, not just acknowledge — listen. Obey. Follow.

The Father's voice, "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to Him!" was a divine affirmation of Jesus' identity and authority. It was a command to heed His words, to follow His teachings, and to trust in His plan. The voice from heaven emphasized the superiority of Jesus over Moses and Elijah. The Law and the Prophets pointed to Him, but now the focus was solely on Christ. "Listen to Him!" is a call to active obedience. It is a call to not only hear Jesus' words, but to apply them to our lives.

Application: Are we truly listening to Jesus? Are we letting His Word shape our decisions, our relationships, our priorities? Or are we only hearing what we want to hear?

VI. The Aftermath: Luke 9:36

When the cloud lifts, Moses and Elijah are gone. Only Jesus remains. It’s a powerful reminder that Jesus alone is sufficient. The Law and the Prophets pointed to Him, but now the focus is fully on Christ.

The disappearance of Moses and Elijah underscored the sufficiency of Christ. He is the mediator between God and humanity, the one through whom salvation comes. The descent from the mountain was a symbolic journey back into the realities of life, a preparation for the trials that lay ahead. The memory of the transfiguration would sustain them in the face of adversity. Jesus being alone, shows that he is the one the disciples are to follow.

Application: In the noise of life, are our eyes fixed on Jesus? Hebrews 12:2 calls us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” When other voices clamor for our attention, He is the one voice we need most.

VII. Everyday Application: Transformed by Glory

We descend from the mountaintop, like the disciples, left with Jesus alone – the Word made flesh. The Transfiguration wasn't just a spectacle; it was God's declaration: "Listen to Him!"

How do we listen today? Through the Scriptures, the living Word. Through Jesus Himself, God's ultimate revelation. And through the Holy Spirit's still, small voice.

Are we truly listening? Are we surrendering to Jesus' authority, obeying His commands, even to the point of suffering?

We do not need to cling to mountaintop moments, making memorials, or making it about what we have seen or done. Instead we are called to carry Christ's light into the world, reflecting His glory. For his word does what is says and says what it does, it transforms us by His Word, by His Son in the waters of baptism, and call us and teaches us by the Holy Spirit.

Are you willing to truly hear God speak? Then listen to him, with unveiled faces, behold His glory in the word, the water and even in this bread and wine, given and shed for you. Amen.