When Jesus led Peter, James, and John up the mountain in Mark 9, He gave them a glimpse of His divine radiance. The veil of His humanity was pulled back, and the disciples caught a momentary vision of His eternal glory—His face shone like the sun, His garments gleamed beyond description. Moses and Elijah appeared beside Him, representing the Law and the Prophets, both bearing witness that every promise and every prophecy finds its fulfillment in Christ. And as a cloud overshadowed them, the voice of God declared, “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.” For a brief moment, heaven broke into earth, and the disciples saw what every heart longs to see—the unveiled majesty of Jesus.

But this glory was not an escape from suffering; it was preparation for it. Luke tells us that Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus about His “departure”—literally, His Exodus—the redemptive work He would soon accomplish at Jerusalem. The Mount of Transfiguration pointed forward to another mountain, Golgotha, where Jesus would not shine in radiant light but hang in darkness and shame. There, His garments would not be dazzling white but stripped away in humiliation. The voice from heaven would be silent, and the voice of a soldier would declare, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Glory and suffering have always been intertwined in the story of redemption. The King of glory would conquer by the cross.

This moment on the mountain was meant to anchor the disciples’ faith when storms of doubt and despair came. Like an anchor holding a ship steady against the waves, this glimpse of glory would remind them that Jesus—though crucified—remains the radiant Son of God. And it serves the same purpose for us. When trials come and faith feels faint, remember that you follow not a moral teacher but the risen Lord, the One who radiates the glory of God and upholds the universe by the word of His power.

One day, we will see what Peter, James, and John only glimpsed. The veil will be lifted forever, and we will dwell with Jesus in the fullness of His splendor. Until then, let this vision of Christ’s glory strengthen your faith and steady your heart. Fix your eyes on Him, embrace the cross He calls you to carry, and long for the day when faith becomes sight—when the radiant Christ, the Son of God, welcomes His people to dwell with Him in glory forever.