Matthew 17:1-9
The Feast day of the Transfiguration of the Lord brings so many symbols to show how God loves us so much. To begin with Jesus’ invitation to Peter, James and John to come along with Him to go a mountain, where He usually went alone to meet and talk with His Father. However, that day seemed to be a special occasion as He shared the moment with His disciples.
It reminds me of an occasion when I was about 9 years old. Several times I saw my parents went outside and sat on the veranda. They did it before midnight when all of us seemed to be already in our dreams and went inside the house only after midnight. Afterwards, I knew that they were praying for a wish of having their own house. That time, we lived in a rented house and it was a kind of sacrifice they had offered.
My parents did not go to a mountain as Jesus did to pray, but the circumstance was just same, to be alone (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16). God met his people in silent moments. Zachary’s inability to speak (Luke 1:20) might seem like a punishment, but it could be also seen as a call to unite with and be fulfilled by God himself. When Zechariah accepted the invitation, he turned from being a person with little faith, to one who proclaimed salvation and freedom (Zachary’s Song – Luke 1:68-79).
While Prophet Elijah and Moses faithfully followed the instruction of God and they were chosen to save the people of Israel, Peter on the other hand was busy looking for a solution. Our calling is not to solve world problems but to be faithful to the Father’s message, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The Problem of the world is sin and Jesus redeemed it already. God wants to continue His work by transforming us to be people who proclaim His merciful love.