Luke 9:28–36 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.

I’ve always loved the account of the Transfiguration. Peter, John and James got to be with our Lord when he gave them a glimpse of His glory, His power, His greatness, partially showing His divine nature. Moses and Elijah appeared with the Lord in a glorious way, chatting with Jesus about His departure. A cloud came and enveloped them, the Father admonishing the disciples from the cloud to listen to Jesus. And then it was just Jesus and the three disciples standing there.

The presence of the cloud reminds me of the way God showed His presence to His people during the Exodus, and Mt. Sinai and throughout the time they were in the wilderness.

Exodus 40:34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

But, like many of the accounts in Scripture, the Transfiguration raises some questions in my mind. How did they know it was Moses and Elijah? Were they wearing nametags? We are not told how they recognized them, but Scripture affirms they were the ones with Jesus, representing the Law and the Prophets, whom Jesus was fulfilling.

And why does this account appear in Matthew, Mark and Luke, but not in the Gospel of John, especially since he was one of the eyewitnesses? Peter mentions it in his second letter.

2 Peter 1:16–19 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

While John does record the account of that event, I think He does make reference to it in his Gospel.

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

They did see His glory that day, and heard the Father affirm that Jesus was His Son. He was pleased because Jesus was accomplishing what He was sent to do: earn our forgiveness and reconcile us to the Father. Powerful stuff to consider on this Transfiguration Sunday.