Transfiguration – Seeing his glory
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Matthew 17:1-9 (NIV)
Some moments change everything. They lift the veil, revealing what has always been true but unseen. The mountain of transfiguration was one of those moments.
Jesus led Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There, in a flash of divine radiance, the ordinary gave way to glory. His face shone like the sun. His clothes became dazzling white. Heaven touched earth, and the fullness of God’s light broke through.
On that mountain, the disciples saw Moses and Elijah standing with Jesus, the law and the prophets finding their fulfilment in him. Then a voice from the cloud declared, ‘This is my Son, the beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him.’
In that holy moment, fear and wonder collided. The disciples fell to the ground, overwhelmed by glory. But then, Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up, and do not be afraid.’ The radiance of Christ is not meant to stay on the mountain; it shines into the valleys of our everyday lives. Transfiguration reminds us that glory and grace are not separate; they meet in Jesus.
As we remember the transfiguration, let’s reflect together:
- Where have you caught glimpses of God’s glory in your own journey?
- How can we, as the Church, reflect the light of Christ to those walking in uncertainty or fear?
In the light of Christ, we see who God is, and who we are. The same glory that shone on the mountain now lives in us through the Spirit.
Prayer
Loving Father, as we step from the mountaintop into the valley, may our eyes remain open, our hearts attentive, and our lives radiant with the love of Jesus. Amen.
This study is an amended transcript of an equipping video to empower and inspire Grace Communion International congregations around the world to live and share the gospel. It has been produced by the Home Office Team in Charlotte, NC, USA, and was first published in the 6 January 2026 edition of the Equipper publication.
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