Episode 1174: Listen to Him

The Transfiguration of Jesus is a profound moment of revelation, not transformation. Jesus doesn’t become something new—He unveils what He’s always been: the radiant Son of God. Standing with Him are Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets, both of whom had previously encountered glimpses of God's glory. Now they stand face to face with that glory embodied in Christ. For Peter, James, and John, this mountaintop experience is a divine preview—meant to prepare them for the suffering and sorrow that lie ahead. They are given a glimpse of divine majesty to carry them through the coming valley of the cross.

Peter, in awe of the moment, wants to preserve it—proposing shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. But heaven interrupts his enthusiasm with a booming voice: “This is My beloved Son... listen to Him!” It’s a clear declaration that Jesus is greater than all who came before. He is not just another prophet; He is the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. The cloud lifts, the vision fades, and only Jesus remains. The disciples fall in fear, but Jesus gently touches them and tells them not to be afraid. It is this tenderness—this balance of majesty and mercy—that defines the Savior they follow.

The Transfiguration teaches us many things: that Jesus fulfills all Scripture, that His divine nature was always present but veiled, and that He is the center of worship, the ultimate revelation of God. It reminds us that while spiritual mountaintops are powerful, we are called to walk back down into the valleys of life, carrying with us the memory of His glory. Jesus, gentle with the fearful and faithful to the weak, prepares us for a journey through suffering that ends in resurrection. And even when the cloud lifts, even when the brilliance fades, if only Jesus remains—that is more than enough.