The Lord reigns; let the people tremble.
Holy is He! Let us worship at his footstool.
We have seen his glory, full of grace and truth.
Come, let us worship the One who reveals God’s glory.
We lift our voices in praise to the King of kings![1]
Trusting God into the unknown
Matthew 17:1-9 NRSV
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
William Barclay
In utter trust in God [Jesus] was going to set out on the tremendous adventure of that journey to Jerusalem, a journey beset with perils, a journey involving a cross, but a journey issuing in glory. Now in Jewish thought, these two figures, Moses and Elijah, always inevitably stood for certain things. Moses was the greatest of all the lawgivers; he was supremely and uniquely the man who brought God’s law to men. Elijah was the greatest of all the prophets; in him the voice of God spoke to men with unique directness. These two men were the twin peaks of Israel’s religious history and achievement. It is as if the greatest figures in Israel’s history came to Jesus, as He was setting out on the last and greatest adventure into the unknown, and told him to go on. In them all history rose up and point Jesus on His way. In them all history recognized Jesus as its own consummation. The greatest of the lawgivers and the greatest of the prophets recognized Jesus as the one of whom they had dreamed, as the one whom they had foretold. Their appearance was the signal for Jesus to go on.[2]
Listen to Him
A voice from the cloud said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. I am manifested through his preaching. I am glorified through his humility. So, listen to him without hesitation. He is the truth and the life. He is my strength and wisdom. “Listen to him” whom the mysteries of the law foreshadowed, of whom the mouths of the prophets sang. “Listen to him” who by his blood redeemed the world, who binds the devil and seizes his vessels, who breaks the debt of sin and the bondage of iniquity. “Listen to him” who opens the way to heaven and by the pain of the cross prepares for you the steps of ascent into his kingdom.[3]
O God,who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[4]
Salvation is Created
The Lord has shown forth his glory: O come, let us adore him.
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
[1] Call to Worship for Transfiguration Sunday. The Seedbed Worship Planner, 2026, p. 56.
[2] The Daily Study Bible, Matthew Volume 2, pp.176-177.
[3] Leo the Great, Sermon 38.7, Ancient Christian Devotional Year A, p. 70.
[4] Prayer for the last Sunday of Epiphany, Transfiguration Sunday, Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019.
