The first thing to point out is that this is the same glory which Jesus already possessed, but which he had veiled with human flesh in his incarnation. It was not as though something was added to Jesus that day on the mountain, which he did not already possess. The reality is that his intrinsic glory has been veiled by human flesh–Jesus’ own glory as the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Holy Trinity–is now revealed to Peter, James, and John. The transfiguration is a glimpse of the indescribable glory which Christ will manifest at the end of the age, when he comes to judge the world, raise the dead, and make all things new.
When Peter, James, and John, get a glimpse of Christ in all his messianic glory, they suddenly realize that Jesus is not alone up on the mountain. “And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.” (Mark 9:4 ESV) Why Moses and Elijah? Moses and Elijah saw the glory of God and knew that it pointed ahead to a greater prophet yet to come, they now appear on the Mountain of the Lord, with the very one whose messianic ministry their own ministries had anticipated. Moses is key figure in the Sinai covenant, and Jesus signals a new and better covenant. Elijah was the herald of the final restoration of all things, and Jesus is the one brings about that restoration. God is showing the disciples that the entirety of the Old Testament was bearing witness to Jesus and that he is far greater than either Moses or Elijah.
Peter, reckless as ever, recognizes Moses and Elijah and acts without fully grasping what he was seeing. And so in verse 5, he blurts out to Jesus “’ Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.” Peter is understandably terrified–who wouldn’t be terrified! Peter wants John and James to help him put up three tents (tabernacles) in an attempt duplicate the tent of meeting as described in the Exodus account. While correctly tying what he has just seen back the Exodus, Peter mistakenly assumes that what he is seeing is the final arrival of the kingdom. What he does not understand is that the revelation of Christ’s glory on the mountain is a shadow of a much greater glory yet to be fully revealed. Not knowing the whole story, Peter sees the transfiguration as the full revelation of the promised messianic glory. Along with John and James, Peter has correctly recognized that Jesus is the New Moses and that a New Exodus has begun. But he is wrong to think this is the consummated kingdom and to assume that this is the ultimate revelation of Jesus’ glory
The point is this. Jesus’ way is the way of the cross. Jesus’ suffering and death is the will of God. Since Jesus is God’s beloved son, the disciples are to “listen to him.” These words dramatically echo the famous words of Deuteronomy 18:15 when Moses told the Israelites, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” This means that Jesus is the final prophet. He will say to us all that God wants to say to us. Jesus is that one to whom Moses and Elijah had pointed. He is central figure of the Old Testament and far greater than either Moses and Elijah who had both borne witness to him. Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God.
He is also the Suffering Servant. His glory has been revealed in what amounts to a brief glimpse of what is yet to come. Therefore, disciples must listen to Jesus, no matter how difficult his words may be, and no matter how difficult it is for them to make sense of it all. One day, everything will become clear.
Jesus must correct the disciples’ over-realized eschatology–that is, their mistaken assumption that since Jesus was the Messiah, the end was at hand and Israel would be restored to greatness right then and there. When the disciples get a glimpse of Jesus’ glory up on the mount of transfiguration, it should now be clear to them that although Jesus will suffer and die for sins the sins of his people, Jesus’ messianic glory is sure to follow. They will struggle to understand this until after Christ’s resurrection.
And so until that day when Jesus returns and his great glory is revealed for all to see, we need to avoid the mistake of seeking that glory as though it were an end in itself. Don’t forget that God graciously veiled Christ’s glory when came to earth to save us from our sins. Had Jesus come in all his glory, he would have come in judgment, not mercy. Had God fully revealed his glory in Jesus on that mountain, Peter, James and John would have been consumed. This is why we must focus on those places where God reveals his son to–in his word and sacraments–places where Jesus is revealed in such a way that sinners can freely approach and seek forgiveness and mercy, not judgment.
One day we will see the Kingdom come in power. That will be the day when God raises the dead, judges the world and recreates heaven and earth. Jesus' transfiguration is a sign that God graciously veils his glory so that he can save his people from their sins. the transfiguration is the proof to Peter, James, and John, that God will fulfill his promises to his people. The revelation of Christ's messianic glory comes only because Jesus was willing to humble himself and set aside his glory and remain obedient to the the father's will-obedient all the way to the cross. And because he was obedient unto death, Jesus was raised King of kings and Lord of lords. And one day we will see his glory, and we will not need to be afraid because for those in Christ this will be the day of our resurrection.
