Happy Valentine’s Day. Did you know that today, specifically this day this year, is also Transfiguration Sunday? You can find it in all three of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) but today we’re going to look primarily at Luke’s account.
Let’s pray:
Lord Jesus, I ask that we will all feel the love in this story, the light in this story, the wonder in this story. Thank You for providing it and for the way this story takes place on this day this year. Not one of us need feel alone because You are right here, shining down on us with all that love. Thank You, Lord. In Your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Right before Luke starts this story Jesus has predicted his death.
Luke 9
The Transfiguration
28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure,[a] which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 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.)
34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
Did you see it? Here, let’s break it down a little so it’s easier to see.
29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.
Verses 1-3 in Matthew 17 in the Message, read like this:
1-3 Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.
The Luke version of 28-31 in the Message words it like this:
About eight days after saying this, he climbed the mountain to pray, taking Peter, John, and James along. While he was in prayer, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes became blinding white. At once two men were there talking with him. They turned out to be Moses and Elijah—and what a glorious appearance they made! They talked over his exodus, the one Jesus was about to complete in Jerusalem.
Do you see the light? How many ways do you read light in these words?
Is it just me, or do you see love in that light? Feel love in that light?
Luke 9:35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
Matthew puts what Luke has in verses 35-36 like this:
6 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.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
Now, what do we know about God? He is love. Even His words in the cloud are out of love. Listen, this is my beloved Son.
And Jesus? Love, love, love. “Don’t be afraid.”
Ever since I realized months ago that Transfiguration day was going to be on Valentine’s day this year I have felt a tremendous love full of light shining down on me. My guess is He has always been doing that and not just to me, but to every one of His children. Now that you know it too, my hope is you will realize this love, this light is shining on you too. You are loved. Maybe all it takes to feel it is to realize it, to focus on it. Because there is a definitive reason Transfiguration day is Valentine’s day this year. I don’t know what it is, but it can’t be just coincidence. I think it’s His way of reminding us to look, to listen, to believe, we are loved.
Thank You, Lord, for the wonder that this day brings. Thank You for being right here at all times. Thank You. Amen.