Transfiguration Sunday
Matthew 17
The Transfiguration
1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8 And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
2 Peter 1
Eyewitnesses of Christ’s Glory
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
The Moment of Interruption
• Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John.
• His face shines like the sun; clothes white as light.
• Moses and Elijah appear — Law and Prophets meet the Messiah.
• The disciples fall in fear.
• God’s voice interrupts Peter:
“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.”
God interrupts ordinary life with revelation
The Cost of Glory
• The disciples try to respond by making tents (control, preservation).
• God interrupts again — pointing back to Jesus.
• Jesus touches them:
“Get up. Do not be afraid.”
Holy revelation is not comfortable - trust takes courage
Silence on the Descent
• Jesus tells them not to speak of the event until after the resurrection.
• Interruptions are not meant to be repeated — they are to be remembered.
The challenge is obedience after the peaks
Peter’s Testimony (2 Peter 1:16–21)
• Peter looks back on the transfiguration years later.
• He insists it wasn’t myth — it was eyewitness reality.
• He calls it a lamp shining in dark places.
Mountaintop moments become light for valleys when remembered faithfully
Application
• We forget the interruptions when life returns to routine
- Testimony helps fend off amnesia
• God’s interruptions shape who we become beyond our memory
- Abiding in the creators presence is transformative
• The voice on the mountain speaks on the road below
- The Holy Spirit abides when welcomed
Questions to Consider:
- Has God ever interrupted your normal rhythm?
- How did that experience shape your faith?
- What voice are you listening to today?
- Does the memory of God’s interruption give you courage for what lies ahead?
- How can you invite and respond to God's interruptions this week?
