There’s a moment in the Gospels when the curtain is pulled back, and for just a brief time, we see Jesus not merely as a man, not just as a rabbi, but as He truly is—the glorious, divine Son of God.
That moment is the Transfiguration.
Up on the mountain, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John and is transformed before them. His face shines like the sun. His clothes radiate light. And standing beside Him are Moses and Elijah—the Law and the Prophets embodied—pointing to Jesus as their fulfillment.
It’s easy to get caught up in the wonder of this moment. Peter did. His first reaction? “Let’s build tents. Let’s stay here.”It’s a relatable response. Who doesn’t want to stay on the mountain, where everything is clear and glorious and full of God’s presence?
But Jesus doesn’t let them stay. And He doesn’t let us stay, either.
We Want a Teacher, But We Need a Savior
There’s a tendency in our culture—even in our churches—to reduce Jesus to a wise teacher. A moral philosopher. A spiritual guru. Even Gandhi famously said he admired Jesus’ teachings, though he didn’t follow Him.
But Jesus never intended to be admired from a distance. He didn’t come just to offer wisdom. He came to save. To rescue. To call us not only to listen but to follow—even to the cross.
And that’s where this story turns.
Take Up Your Cross
Just before the Transfiguration, Jesus tells His disciples to take up their cross and follow Him. That’s not a metaphor for minor inconvenience. It’s a call to die—to self, to comfort, to control. It’s a summons to imitate Christ in sacrificial love.
We aren’t meant to stand by and watch Him go to the cross. We’re called to go with Him.
Glory Hidden in the Ordinary
Most of life doesn’t feel like the mountaintop. It feels like dishes and diapers and baseball practice and commutes. It feels like slow mornings and heavy weeks.
But here’s the beautiful truth: in Jesus, the glory of God is disguised in the ordinary.
The disciples walked with Him every day, likely unaware of the cosmic glory He carried. But on the mountain, they saw. And Jesus wants us to see that even in our everyday faithfulness, something glorious is happening.
Will You Believe Without Seeing?
Not everyone got to see the Transfiguration. Only three of the twelve were there. The rest had to believe the testimony of others. Sound familiar?
That’s where we are. We haven’t seen Him shine like the sun. We haven’t heard the voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son.” But we’re called to believe—and to follow.
Down the Mountain
We all have moments where it feels like everything is just right. Our spiritual life is vibrant, our church community is strong, our prayers feel powerful. We want to stay in those places.
But we can’t.
The world is hurting. The cross still stands. The mission is still unfinished. Jesus doesn’t let Peter build tents on the mountain because the work isn’t done. They had to go down—to suffering, to sacrifice, to resurrection.
And so do we.
A Church on Mission
This message is a reminder that church isn’t about creating a perfect little bubble of spiritual comfort. It’s about being equipped and sent—down the mountain and into the world.
Jesus is more than a teacher. He is the Son. The Savior. The crucified and risen King.
And He’s calling us to follow—no matter the cost.
Reflection Questions:
- Are you following Jesus as your Savior or just admiring Him as a teacher?
- Where might God be calling you to “go down the mountain” in your life?
- Are you willing to be faithful—even when you don’t feel Him?
