Listen

About eight days after Jesus said these things, he took Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes flashed white like lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him. They were clothed with heavenly splendor and spoke about Jesus’ departure, which he would achieve in Jerusalem. Peter and those with him were almost overcome by sleep, but they managed to stay awake and saw his glory as well as the two men with him.

As the two men were about to leave Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it’s good that we’re here. We should construct three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—but he didn’t know what he was saying.

Luke 9:28-33

Think

There are times when our hopes can be dashed or our fears can disappear instantly. In the final seconds of a game when our team misses a critical goal, we lose hope. Or with a reassuring look in the eye, our doubts are taken away.

Then there are the times when we realize that everything is actually greater than we could have ever imagined. That’s the case in today’s reading.

After centuries of hoping, three of Jesus’ disciples saw Jesus, truly. With Moses, the lawgiver, and Elijah, the prophet, Jesus stepped into his own place as the culmination of the law and the prophets. He was revealed to the disciples as the long-awaited Messiah.

When Peter wanted to set up tabernacles on the mountain, he wanted that revelation to become something that would stand forever — a monument. He didn’t understand that it was to be a catalyst, a change agent. This revelation had to leave the mountaintop to change the world below.

God reveals so we can change and grow and make a difference in the world.

Rock Higgins

Pray

Lord, I tend to be safe and want things to stay the same. Ease my fears and help me step out in faith, following you into the future of beauty and truth and your dream for the world. Amen.

Go

Open our eyes, Lord, and let us see what you would have us see. Let us see with the eyes of Christ, and let us respond with a spirit of faith.