The Transfiguration of Jesus is an important event in the New Testament, recorded in Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36. It signifies several key aspects of Jesus’s identity and mission. Here’s a simplified explanation suitable for a 5th-grade level, including the historical context, relevant Bible verses, and main takeaways.
Table of Contents
What Happened During the Transfiguration?
- Jesus Goes Up a Mountain: Jesus took three of His disciples, Peter, James, and John, up a high mountain to pray.
- Jesus’s Appearance Changes: While praying, Jesus’s face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. This is called being “transfigured.”
- Moses and Elijah Appear: Two important figures from Jewish history, Moses and Elijah, appeared and talked with Jesus.
- God Speaks from a Cloud: A bright cloud covered them, and God’s voice said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
What Does the Transfiguration Signify?
- Jesus’s Divine Nature: The shining face and dazzling clothes show Jesus’s divine glory. This event confirms that Jesus is not just a human but also the Son of God.
- Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets: Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the Prophets. Their appearance shows that Jesus fulfills both the Law and the Prophets, completing God’s plan.
- God’s Approval: God’s voice from the cloud reassures the disciples that Jesus is His beloved Son and that they should listen to Him.
Relevant Bible Verses
- Matthew 17:2: “There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.”
- Matthew 17:5: “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!'”
- Mark 9:2-4: “After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.”
Historical Context
The Transfiguration happened during Jesus’s ministry, before His crucifixion. It was a moment where His divine nature was revealed to His closest disciples. This event strengthened their faith, preparing them for the challenges ahead.
Three Main Takeaways
- Jesus is God’s Son: The Transfiguration confirms Jesus’s divine identity, showing He is truly the Son of God.
- Fulfillment of Scripture: By appearing with Moses and Elijah, Jesus shows He fulfills the Old Testament Law and Prophets.
- Listen to Jesus: God’s command to listen to Jesus emphasizes the importance of His teachings and authority.
In summary, the Transfiguration is a powerful event that reveals Jesus’s divine nature, connects Him to the Old Testament, and underscores the importance of His message.
