Transfiguration Bible Study

We've been following Jesus and His disciples as they go from place to place. As we recall, Jesus told His Apostles that He would suffer and be killed, then be raised up again after three days. This didn't make much sense to them, so they failed to comprehend what was coming.

Let's begin the Transfiguration Bible study ... Six days after Jesus gently told them the news of His destiny, He took Peter, James, and John up to a high mountain alone with Him. As Jesus prayed, the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ happened. What does that mean, transfigured?

The Transfiguration Bible study story reveals that the word "transfiguration" means that the appearance of Jesus changed. His face shined like the sun and His clothing was whiter than snow or light, whiter than any launderer could bleach anything. Luke uses an interesting word to describe the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ; he said it was glistering.

Then Moses and Elijah appeared there, talking with Jesus about His death which would happen in Jerusalem. Wow ... But, what was the reason for the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ? Let us continue on in the Transfiguration Bible study and see if we can discern the answer ...

The three Apostles were asleep while this happened and when they woke up, they saw the glory of Jesus, and they could also see Moses and Elijah standing with Him. They were afraid when they saw the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ and didn't know what to say, then after a time, Peter said, Lord, it's good for us to be here. Let us make three tabernacles, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Just then, a bright cloud came and overshadowed them. Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying,

This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear Him.

The purpose for the Transfiguration Bible study occurrence appears to suggest that God was telling them to believe the things that Jesus was telling them about His upcoming death. When the voice was done speaking, Jesus came and touched them and said, Get up, don't be afraid. When they looked up, Jesus was alone. I suppose the other two were in a Spiritual Realm that Jesus joined them in for a bit.

As they came down the mountain, Jesus told them, Don't tell anyone what you saw, (about the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ) until the Son of man be raised again from the dead. They kept it a secret, but they talked about it among themselves wondering what rising from the dead meant. They still didn't understand, because God was still keeping the meaning hidden from them.

The Transfiguration Bible study continues ... They asked Jesus, Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come back first? Jesus answered them, Elijah truly comes first and restores all things, but I tell you, Elijah has come already and they didn't know him, but they've done to him whatever they pleased.

Then the disciples knew that Jesus was talking about John the Baptist. (Remember that we learned about John the Baptist having the spirit of Elijah.) Then Jesus said, And it's true what is written about the Son of man, that He must suffer many things, and be regarded as nothing. You can read where this is written in Psalms 22:6 and Isaiah 53:3.

Consider this Transfiguration Bible study tidbit ... Having our Bibles in front of us and thousands of years having passed since all this has happened, we understand how Jesus' dying for our sins was the perfect plan and how it all fits together and makes perfect sense. However, it's also easy to understand the confusion that the Apostles were feeling as they were learning about what was really gonna happen to their Lord and Master, the Messiah, the Christ. It was too devastating for them to comprehend.

They may have guessed that there would be some political animosity towards Him from the Pharisees and Sadducees and scribes and the Roman empire ... But death was probably the furthest thing from their minds. They never would have guessed that this would be the outcome even though they read about it in scripture and Jesus reminded them of it over and over again. Despite the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ story. They just could not grasp and hold the Truth.

Prophecy is so much clearer to people, once it has come to pass. We can't forget that there's still a lot of prophecy that hasn't occurred yet, and we don't want to be unprepared or surprised about it when it does happen. So, keep the Word of God in your heart and be prepared always for the day of the Lord.

The Transfiguration Bible study reveals that the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ story was an event which uplifted the faith and further revealed the truth (yet again) that ... Jesus is the Lord!