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28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen. 37 The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. 40 I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.” 41 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” 42 Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. (Luke 9:28-43 NIV)
Happy Monday, dear Friend! I pray the weekend blessed you and that you blessed the world by your witness to the living God. My prayer is that you are staying the course as laid out for you by Jesus.
In November 1660, in Bedford, England, on a small farm outside the town, a man was arrested for preaching without a license. The Church of England was very strict about who could preach the gospel; and a license was required. The man would spend the next twelve years in prison. That was a strict sentence for trying to spread the knowledge of God. When King Charles II signed into law the Declaration of Indulgence, the prisoner was granted a license and allowed to preach again. We should note that while in prison those 12 years, John Bunyon wrote a significant book called The Pilgrim's Progress, which since its publication has sold more than 200 million copies. The book is a reflection on our faith as Christians and the journey the Church has taken since its inception. The main protagonist is named Christian who is from The City of Destruction (the world), trying to find his way to The Celestial City (Heaven). And all along the journey he encounters trials and temptations.
Today's passage is powerful for it reminds us of Jesus being here on earth with us, though we know He is from "there," the heavenly realm, and in all that is shared, God makes the declaration that Jesus is His Beloved Son, and we should listen to Him.
The Transfiguration of Jesus is a powerful moment in the Gospels that unveils His divine nature to His closest disciples—Peter, James, and John—while also offering a glimpse into the future glory that awaits Him. In Luke 9:28-43, we read about Jesus taking these three disciples up to a mountain to pray. As He prayed, His appearance was radically changed, and His clothes became dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus about His upcoming departure in Jerusalem. In that awe-inspiring moment, Peter, overwhelmed by the glory, suggested building three shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. But a cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud declared, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
The Transfiguration reveals the divinity of Jesus, affirming that He is the Son of God, and calls the disciples—and us—to listen to Him above all else. Here are things we should note about this event: Jesus' Glory: The Transfiguration is a moment when the divine glory of Jesus shines through His humanity. The disciples, who had followed Jesus through many events and teachings, were given a brief but overwhelming glimpse into the truth of who He was—God’s Son, the promised Messiah. It was a moment of confirmation and assurance for them, preparing them for the trials and difficulties they would soon face, including His impending crucifixion. It shows us that there is more to Jesus than meets the eye; He is both fully human and fully divine. The Law and the Prophets are affirmed: Moses and Elijah’s appearance is not accidental. Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the prophets. Their presence points to the continuity of God’s redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Jesus is the fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets, the one they had pointed toward all along. In this moment, God affirms that Jesus is the culmination of everything that came before Him. And this is the fulfillment from the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi 4:4-5. The Voice of God: The voice that comes from the cloud is unmistakable: “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” God’s command to listen to Jesus is not just for the disciples on the mountain, but for all of us. In a world full of competing voices, we are called to hear the words of Jesus and obey them. He is not just a teacher among many; He is the Savior, the Son of God, and His words carry ultimate authority. The Transfiguration serves as a reminder that we must listen to Him above all else.
The Transfiguration doesn’t just offer a powerful vision of Jesus' glory; it also challenges us to respond. In our daily lives, we are often distracted by other voices—society, our own desires, and the expectations of others. But the voice from the cloud reminds us that there is one voice we must pay attention to: the voice of Jesus. Are we listening to Him? Are we allowing His words to shape our lives?
The disciples’ response to the Transfiguration is one of awe and fear. They were unsure how to respond in such a powerful moment. But after this event, their understanding of who Jesus was would be deepened. The Transfiguration prepared them for what was to come: His suffering, death, and ultimately, His resurrection. We, too, are called to follow Jesus through both the mountaintop experiences and the valleys of life.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the powerful revelation of Jesus' glory in the Transfiguration. Thank You for reminding us that He is Your Son, the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, and the Savior of the world. Help us to listen to Him in every area of our lives. Open our hearts to His words and help us to follow Him with courage and faith. May we be transformed by His love and truth, and may we reflect His light in the world around us. In Jesus' strong name, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Take a moment today to reflect on the voice of Jesus in your life. Are there areas where you are not listening or following His guidance? Seek time to listen to His voice through prayer, Scripture, and silence. Consider what it means for you to follow Him more closely, even when it’s difficult. Let the glory of the Transfiguration remind you that Jesus is both fully God and fully human, and He is worthy of our trust, obedience, and worship.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
