“Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.”
(Luke 9:32 NASB)
The transfiguration of Christ on the mountain was unlike anything Peter, James, or John had ever witnessed. They had seen their Lord perform miracles, heal the sick, and even command the winds and waves. But this moment was wholly unique—fallen humanity was granted a glimpse of divine glory in the revelation of Christ’s true nature.
The word transfigured comes from the Greek metamorpho, meaning to be transformed so that the outward appearance matches the inner reality. In that moment, the veil of Christ’s human flesh was momentarily lifted, allowing His disciples to see Him in the fullness of His majesty. The One in whom “the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily” (Col. 2:9) was seen in the splendor that belonged to Him from eternity past.
Peter, James, and John were privileged to witness what all believers will one day experience: the glorified Christ. Paul declares, “[He] shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body” (Phil. 3:21). As Christ is glorious, so too will His people be. The righteous will shine as the sun in their Father’s kingdom (Matt. 13:43), for “we shall appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:4).
Believers will share in His glory, not as gods themselves, but as redeemed saints, transformed to reflect the beauty of their Savior. “This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Cor. 15:53). Richard Sibbes rightly said, “We shall be incorruptible. We shall have no corruption within us or without us. We shall be embalmed with the Spirit that shall cause us to remain forever incorruptible.”[1]
What an astonishing truth—that Christ, the eternal and glorious Son not only redeems but transforms His people into His likeness! Praise be to God for His unsearchable grace, for in beholding Christ’s glory, we are assured of the hope that one day we shall be with Him, sharing in that glory forever.
Contemplations
- Beholding His Glory. Lord, what must it have been like for the disciples to witness Your unveiled glory? I long for the day when my faith shall be made sight, and I shall see You as You are (1 John 3:2). Keep my heart fixed on that hope, that I may live in anticipation of Your coming.
- Awaken My Soul. Like the disciples who fell asleep, I often let the cares and weariness of life hinder my devotion. Strengthen me, O Lord, by Your Spirit, that I may seek You with diligence, neither slumbering in prayer nor growing cold in worship.
- Transform Me Into Your Image. You have promised to conform me to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). Let me not be content with half-hearted obedience but move me to pursue holiness with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Prayer
[Adoration for Christ in the Radiance of Glory]
O Lord Jesus Christ, radiant in holiness, the brightness of the Father’s glory and the exact image of His person (Hebrews 1:3), I lift my heart in worship before You. From everlasting to everlasting, You are God—enthroned in majesty and clothed in light. No eye can behold the fullness of Your splendor, for You dwell in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16). Yet, in mercy You veiled Your glory in human flesh that sinners like me might draw near and live.
What a mystery this is! The King of heaven stooped low, taking the form of a servant yet losing nothing of His divine radiance. Even as You walked among men, the fullness of deity remained in You, hidden yet never diminished. You who uphold all things by the word of Your power chose to dwell in frail flesh that You might redeem those who had no hope. And for a moment on that holy mountain, You allowed Your chosen disciples to see what had always been Yours—the uncreated glory that belongs to You alone.
You are the treasure of heaven, Lord, the desire of the nations, the light that shines in the darkness. Your beauty surpasses all that can be imagined and Your majesty is beyond compare. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the One who was, and is, and is to come. No glory is greater than Yours, no power exceeds Your might, and no love is deeper than the love You give. My soul exalts You and my heart bows in adoration before You, for You alone are worthy!
O God of grace, I thank You that one day I will see You as You are. The righteous shall shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:43), and this corruptible body shall be clothed in incorruption (1 Corinthians 15:53). You have not left me to remain as I am, but even now, You are transforming me, conforming me to Your image (Romans 8:29). What mercy! What kindness! That a sinner like me should be given such a hope.
Lord, let my soul hunger for You as in a dry and weary land. Kindle within me a love for You that surpasses all earthly affections. And don’t let me be satisfied with knowledge about You, but may my heart yearn to know You truly. Let me be captivated by Your beauty, drawn to Your majesty, and consumed with a holy desire to worship You in spirit and in truth.
Lord Jesus, hasten the day when my faith shall be made sight! When my eyes will see You, when my ears hear Your voice, when my lips will sing Your praise in the congregation of the redeemed. Until that day, sustain me in faith and sanctify me in truth. Keep me from spiritual slumber, that I may be found diligently watching for Your return in power and glory.
You are the Lord of glory, the exalted King, the One whom my soul adores. To You belongs all honor, all dominion, and all praise, now and forever. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Further References for Luke 9:32
Matt. 26:43; John 1:14; Matt. 26:40; Luke 22:45; John 17:24.
[1] Richard Sibbes, An Exposition of the Third Chapter of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians, (London: T. Cotes and John Dawson for Peter Cole, and are to be sold at the Glove & Lyon in Corne-hill, neare the Royall Exchange, 1639), 246.
