There are interesting things that people always say when commenting on the transfiguration incident in the life of Jesus. I thought it would be good to collect a few of these for handy reference here in the future, hence this short article was planned.

The text for this incident is recorded in Matthew 17, verses 1-9 and also in the books of Mark and Luke. In both of these latter two it's recorded in chapter 9. In Mark 9:2-9 and in Luke 9:28-36. I'll place a copy of the text from Matthew's gospel below as we go through...

Mat 17:1-3 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

So we see first of all that in this incident Jesus is transfigured in glory and His face and clothes become bright like the sun. But not just that, Moses and Elijah appear with Him and they are seen talking with Him.

Now I don't think that photographs and paintings of Moses and Elijah were in abundant suply in Israel so that everyone knew what they looked like!
The second supernatural thing here is that Peter, James and John were give the knowledge by God as to who were talking with Jesus!

Mat 17:4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Peter, ever willing to let his thoughts be known, then suggests that these three be treated equally and individual booths be built for each of them. This is like many people today who think that Jesus is just another prophet like Moses and Elijah. But...

Mat 17:5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Next, a cloud envelops them and a voice from the cloud "bigs up" Jesus and says three things.
1, "This is My Son, whom I love".
2, "This is My Son, with whom I'm well pleased".
3, "This is My Son - Listen to Him!"

Three important comments to three witnesses on earth - Peter, James and John, and to three witnesses from Heaven, Moses, Elijah and the voice of God!
This is the third supernatural thing to happen.

Mat 17:6-8 When the disciples heard this, they fell face-down to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

Hearing this powerful voice from Heaven the three disciples fall to the ground in fear and Jesus reassures them by touching them and saying, "Don't be afraid". "Get up!"

It's noticable how in the bible when people have an encounter with God they are terrified of His power and fall back or fall down. They usualy have to be told not to fear, also! Real encounters with God have a profound effect on the people involved.

When they get up they find that only Jesus is left in view, as Moses and Elijah have disappeared. And the voice's instruction to "Listen to Him!" would come starkly to mind. It's Jesus whom we should hold up as first authority. He is not equal to anyone else from mankind. We are to listen to Him above all others!

Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets. They are not the ones who hold pride of place now. To follow Moses and Elijah is like using a map to find your way to your destination, while to follow Jesus is to follow a perfect guide. We are to listen to Jesus!

You see when you use a map you apply your wits, your intelligence, your knowledge and your wisdom to what you see. If you make a mistake on a climb you could even die, because the map cannot rescue you if you fall!
Now when you use the perfect guide you rely on His wits, His intelligence, His knowledge and His wisdom. And the perfect guide, Jesus, will not make any mistakes, while if you deviate from His plan He has the power to rescue you! You cannot fail following Him.
This is the fourth supernatural thing to happen; the realization that Jesus is all in all!

Mat 17:9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Finally in this section of scripture that I have isolated here, Jesus and His inner court come down the mountain and Jesus tells them not to tell anyone of the incident until after His death and resurrection. After that time the disciples (then and now) would believe all that had happened to Jesus and we would believe in the one and only Son of God who is above all - Jesus the Christ.
This is the fifth supernatural thing to happen as Holy Spirit works in us!

Amen.

Don't you just love it how God's plans come together!

Best wishes for Grace and the Peace of Jesus.

Attlee.

Another thought....