The Transfiguration was a miraculous event where Jesus revealed His divine glory to Peter, James, and John on a high mountain, affirming His identity as the beloved Son of God. It served as a foretaste of His coming kingdom and a necessary preparation for the disciples as Jesus prepared to face the suffering of the cross.
On a high mountain, the humanity of Jesus was temporarily eclipsed by the manifestation of His inherent divine glory. As recorded in Matthew 17:2, His face shone like the sun and His garments became white as light. This was not a myth but a historical reality witnessed by the apostles, as Peter later testified: 'For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty' (2 Peter 1:16-18).
The appearance of Moses and Elijah signifies that the Law and the Prophets testify to Christ. They spoke with Him regarding 'his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem' (Luke 9:31). The event culminates in the voice of the Father from the cloud: 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him' (Matthew 17:5). This commands our absolute obedience to Christ, who is the fulfillment of all redemptive history.
While the Transfiguration displayed glory, the purpose of this glory was to prepare the disciples for the suffering of the Cross. Jesus knew that to bear fruit, the grain of wheat must fall into the earth and die (John 12:24). We are more flawed than we realize, needing such a glorious Savior, yet we are more accepted in Him than we dared hope, because He willingly embraced the suffering of the Cross to secure our redemption.