The Transfiguration of Our Lord

Article for February 15, 2026

2 Peter 1:16 16For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

Oh, to be an eyewitness to the coming and life of Jesus Christ.  So many years has passed since one saw Jesus Christ with their own eyes.  But there where eyewitnesses who not only saw Jesus, but they also walked with Jesus and saw the miracles and signs of the one true God in the form of the Son.

Now Peter, James, and John may have witnessed a little more than the rest of the apostles.  These three apostles were chosen by Jesus to journey up a high mountain to witness something more than just miraculous signs but also mind-blowing visions of the fabric of our reality be opened to the fabric of Heaven itself.

If these three apostles did not realize the majesty of Jesus before they climbed this mountain, they certainly would realize it now.  Where Peter, James, and John were was about to change their lives and their view of Jesus Christ forever so one would think.  Though it will not change their human condition it will certainly be engraved into their hearts and minds.

I say mind blowing as it would be to see the very fabric of the sky and earth open to what some might describe as a window to another dimension.  But this is not another dimension, it is a temporary window into heaven itself.  And then to see two of their ancestors standing there with Jesus Himself who was a glowing white light of beauty and majesty.

2 Peter 1:17 17For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

It still baffles me as to how they recognized Moses and Elijah.  These two figures existed before these three were in the womb of their mother.  And Moses and Elijah lived long before their great grandmothers.  Just to witness a minute of this conversation Jesus was having with Moses and Elijah would be priceless. 

This event in the life of Jesus the God/man and these three apostolic witnesses is not only epic but an amazing proof of life after Earth.  Seeing Jesus in all His Majesty glowing in the light of heaven. When you stop and reflect upon God’s word the light the apostles are seeing is Jesus.  Jesus is the light of the world and the light of heaven.  This has got to be life changing, yet like all gifts the excitement only lasts for a while as one will deny Jesus three times.

A voice emanating from the clouds letting all who can hear announcing this is the Son of God.  As Peter, James, and John stood watching with dropped jaws, they get another confirmation through hearing these words, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,”.  If that doesn’t create extra beats in their hearts, nothing will. 

2 Peter 1:19 19And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,

This would be the feeling that Peter, James, and John felt that day they stood and watched Jesus transfigure into the light of heaven and earth.  Listen, we have the prophetic word that should enlighten all who read it and most ignore it.  But if you are reading it for the first time or you have read it many times read it with no expectation and you will hear the Holy Spirit of truth and life.

This is not just an event but a true proof of where Jesus came from.  The “Ancient Aliens” TV show wants you to believe Jesus is an alien who came down to check on their experiment called earth.  But the real truth is that Jesus came from the Father and Mary and not a spaceship.  Jesus came from and resides in heaven, a real place and a real destination for all believers.

Jesus is the lamp shining in the darkness.  The darkness is our sin, and the lamp came to lead us out of that darkness.  Jesus is the morning star whose dawn will rise within our hearts.  This is a metaphor of salvation, and it is God who brings to salvation through the acts and works of our Lord Jesus Christ.  So, pay attention to the Holy word of God and listen for you know the Holy Spirit is talking to you.

2 Peter 1:20–21 20knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Know that there are many translations of the original text.  These are not interpretations, they are translations.  When you get into paraphrased bibles you might want to be careful as they come very close to one’s interpretation and interpretations are usually tainted with something other than God’s will.  There are no more prophecies to made, God’s word is the last prophet that we need or should expect.   

The Holy Spirit talks to us through God’s word, and the word of God is solid and unchanged by God.  Our salvation still only come through Jesus Christ, and we must not belittle our Lord thinking we can secure our salvation on our own or without Jesus.  Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected for our life eternal waiting for each of us to pass on to God’s kingdom of heaven.  Amen.

Written by Pastor Curtis A. May