While Jesus was praying, his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. We celebrate today an important event that occurred in the life of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel accounts. It is an event that took place even as the disciples were struggling to come to an understanding of the identity of Jesus (who Jesus was), as well as an understanding of their mission (who they were called to be/what they were called to do). Yes, the twelve disciples were with Jesus almost on a daily basis, accompanying him and witnessing the mighty signs that God was working through him. However, as some of the Gospel stories reveal, they were still not able to come up with a definitive understanding of their master. For Jesus was a rabbi unlike the rabbis that they knew. Jesus was a master unlike the masters they had encountered. Who was this man Jesus? Perhaps unknown to them, and in a rather subtle manner, the Transfiguration was God’s way of answering some of the questions that the disciples were having.
The incidences that preceded the Transfiguration form the context for understanding the event itself. As Jesus and the disciples were making their way to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus posed a question to the disciples regarding his identity. What were those who had encountered him saying about him? Were they having a clue as to who he was? The disciples didn’t hesitate to provide Jesus with an answer: the general understanding among the people was that Jesus was John the Baptist or one of the prophets of old come back to life. Then Jesus decided to make the question more personal: as those who were his companions and partners with him in ministry, what was the disciples’ impression of him? Were they in agreement with the general populace about his identity? Were they also finding it difficult to put a finger on his identity? The disciples must have been caught off-guard by the follow up question. However, as usual, Peter came to the rescue of his brothers and confessed Jesus as the Christ of God. It was a huge step that Peter took, and Jesus commended him for it.
Following Peter’s confession, the Gospel accounts report, Jesus went ahead to explain to them what his messiahship constituted. He was a Christ who was going to suffer persecution and death at the hands of the religious leaders in collaboration with the Romans. It was a revelation that Peter vehemently protested. How could a Messiah be subjected to persecution and death? Wasn’t it his duty to deliver his people from the challenges that they were facing? How was he going to achieve this if he was going to be killed? What Jesus was saying was not adding up to the expectations of Peter and the rest. This was not what they had signed up for. It was a protest that drew a rebuke from Jesus.
After rebuking Peter, Jesus then took the opportunity to ‘school’ the disciples on what they had signed up for. Being a follower of Jesus constituted making some hard choices akin to carrying a cross. Being a disciple of Jesus involves ‘losing’ one’s life in order to pick it up (find it) in Jesus. Following Jesus involves making choices that might lead to isolation and abandonment by one’s family and friends. This is where it would lead him, and anyone who prides the self in being his disciple has to be ready to embrace this fact. However, the good news is that the cause for which a disciple signs up would ultimately triumph over any inconveniences and challenges that would be encountered.
The transfiguration is understood, then, as God putting his mark of approval in the conversations Jesus was having with his disciples. God even exhorts those who were within listening distance to ‘listen’ to Jesus. God was calling on his sons and daughters to let Jesus teach them the way of greatness and glory. Jesus remained God’s favorite and beloved because he was willing to listen to the Father, especially on those occasions when he didn’t understand God. He trusted in the Father’s guidance. This was the road to glory.