My Beloved Son
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
The Transfiguration was one of the most dramatic and intriguing events in Jesus Christ’s ministry.
Six days earlier He had told His disciples, “There are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (Matthew 16:28). The disciples likely wondered what He meant or misunderstood His meaning. But chapter 17 shows how Christ’s statement was fulfilled.
Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain and, in a vision of the future Kingdom of God, appeared to them in glorified form. He was “transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light” (Matthew 17:2).
Along with Jesus, the disciples saw two of the great leaders of the Old Testament: Moses (who wrote the Law—the first five books of the Bible) and Elijah (the epitome of the Prophets).
In the awesomeness of the moment, we can only speculate about what Peter thought when he saw Jesus with these great men in the vision. But the frightening voice from heaven made the truth clear.
The disciples knew the importance of “hearing” Moses and Elijah. But God showed that Jesus Christ outshines them. He is God’s beloved Son and the One who inspired both Moses and the prophets. We must “hear Him!”
For more about this amazing event and its meaning, see the article, “The Transfiguration: What Happened?”
