His Face Shone Like The Sun!

By Mary Vee
Mark 9, Matthew 17, Luke 9

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee the church on the
Mount of Transfiguration

I am a disciple of Jesus.

Six days have passed since I've written to you. This morning Jesus asked only James, John, and me to go on a short journey.

We climb a high mountain called Mount Hermon. It was a climb that coud be done in a day, but a steep climb. The grass was soft and green here, and wild flowers grew. 

At the top of the mountain we stopped to catch our breath. Jesus talked with us until we were all rested. That was when something very unusual happened. 

Photo by Mary Vee in the church
on the Mount of Transfiguration

Jesus moved a little distance away from us then he changed in an amazing way. It was a transformation. Stay with me, this is difficult to explain. His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. 

I stared, not wanted to miss a single moment and was glad I had because just then Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus.

My heart went wild. I could see my ancestors who had meant to much to my faith. Moses had led the Jewish people out of slavery into the promise land and Elijah was a mighty prophet who performed great miracles. 

I felt so honored to see them, I had to say something, "Lord, I am so honored to be here. To see you and Moses and Elijah. I will build a shelter three shelters. One for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

While I was speaking a bright cloud surrounded Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.

Then a voice from the cloud spoke, "this is my Son, whom I love. With him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

Photo by Mary Vee in the church on the
Mount of Transfiguration

The voice was so very powerful. Power and authority I had never heard before. I immediately fell facedown to the ground and was terrified. James and John had too. This had to be the voice of God. Never before in my life had I been so afraid to stand before someone so powerful. 

I kept my head down and trembled until someone touched me. I looked up and saw Jesus. He said, "Get up. Don't be afraid." The cloud, Moses, and Elijah had vanished.

Photo by Mary Vee. Chapel for Elijah
in the church on the
Mount of Transfiguration

This may sound unusual for me, but I couldn't find words to say. The beautiful image lasted in my mind, the voice of God in my memory, the fear in my soul. I pressed my hand to my chest and took a deep breath. 

Jesus asked us to walk back down the mountain with him to join the others. Along the way he said, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

I asked, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" He was one of two men who were taken up to heaven without dieing. I was told he would come back first.

Jesus answered, "Elijah will come and restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him. They treated him with cruelty. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."

Photo by Mary Vee. Mt. Hermon

That was when I understood that he was talking about John the Baptist. A great prophet whom I used to follow before he told me to follow Jesus. A man that the teachers treated with cruelty.

We kept everything we saw and heard to ourselves as Jesus asked for the time.

At times I remember in my dreams though and feel so very happy.

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.