What was the meaning and importance of the transfiguration?

Answer

About a week after Jesus plainly told His disciples that He would suffer, be killed, and be raised to life saying, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.”, (Luke 9:22), He took Peter, James, and John up a mountain to pray. While praying, His personal appearance was changed into a glorified form, and His clothing became dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus about His impending death. Peter, not fully understanding and feeling very fearful, suggested putting up three shelters for them. This likely alluded to the booths used during the Feast of Tabernacles, when the Israelites lived in booths for seven days (Leviticus 23:34-42). Peter expressed a desire to remain in that place. Then a cloud surrounded them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’”, (Matthew 17:5).

The cloud dissipated, Moses and Elijah were gone, and Jesus remained with His disciples, who were still very afraid. Jesus instructed them not to disclose what they had witnessed until after His resurrection. The accounts of this event can be found in Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, and Luke 9:28–36.

Undoubtedly, the purpose of Christ’s transfiguration, revealing at least a glimpse of His heavenly glory, was to show the select group of His disciples.Could gain a deeper understanding of who Jesus was. Christ underwent a significant transformation in appearance so that the disciples could see Him in His glory. The disciples, who had only known Him in His human form, now had a better understanding of the divinity of Christ, even though they could not fully grasp it. This provided them with the comfort they needed after hearing the startling news of His impending death.

Symbolically, the presence of Moses and Elijah symbolized the Law and the Prophets. However, God’s voice from heaven – “Listen to Him!” – clearly indicated that Jesus was to supersede the Law and the Prophets. The One who is the new and living path is replacing the old – He is the realization of the Law and the numerous prophecies in the Old Testament. Additionally, in His glorified state, they caught a glimpse of His forthcoming glorification and coronation as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

The disciples never forgot the events of that day on the mountain, and this was undoubtedly intentional. John wrote in his gospel, “We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only” «And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. », (John 1:14). Peter also referenced it, “We did not follow cleverly devised stories when we made known to you 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 Majestic Glory’s voice came to Him, 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” (2 Peter 1:16-18). Those who saw the transfiguration testified about it to the other disciples and to countless individuals over the centuries.