the transfiguration of jesus

august 7 scripture: Luke 9:28-36

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” —not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

Journaling Prompts: 

1. Having been invited by Jesus to go with him to a mountaintop to pray, Peter, James and John find themselves "weighed down with sleep". On a later occasion these disciples found themselves overcome with sleep while Jesus prayed -- in the garden of Gethsemane before his passion. That night Jesus urged them to keep awake, noting "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" (Luke 14:37-38). Write about times in your life where you have been or are tempted to "sleep" spiritually - when the needs and desires of your flesh (your physical self, your life circumstances) prevail over the desires of the spirit?

2. Peter, James and John were invited to witness a supernatural event - the glory of Moses, Elijah and Christ revealed before their eyes! Clearly overwhelmed by this vision, Peter impulsively seeks to capture the moment - to contain it (literally) by erecting three tents in which these glorified beings could remain. What do you imagine Peter was hoping for in that moment? Can you identify with Peter?

3. The appearance of Jesus, Moses and Elijah "in glory" seems to be a kind of "pulling back the veil" - revealing the true, undimmed, holy nature of each. And this manifestation is followed by an enveloping cloud and a voice of command, leaving Peter, James and John terrified. Surely this was a life-altering event! What do you think is the significance of the the disciples' silence after they came back down the mountain?

4. Have you experienced a "thin place" - a "pulling back the veil" moment where perhaps God revealed himself to you in a "supernatural" way? How has that impacted you? Were you awakened from spiritual sleep? Did you try to contain, manage or hold on to the experience? Have you spoken of it, or kept silent?