This is part of a series studying Peter’s life and ministry.  Click here for the entire series.

It’s unclear where the phrase “mountain top experience” came from but there are several events in Scripture that would qualify—Moses obtaining the Ten Commandments and other laws from God (Exodus 19-31) or Moses’ viewing the Promised Land from the top of Mt. Nebo (Deuteronomy 34).  In the New Testament, one of those events in the life of Jesus—and our friend, Peter—is the Transfiguration.  There are two possible sites for this event—either Mt. Tabor just south of Nazareth or Mt. Hermon near Caesarea Philippi.  Given the proximity to Caesarea Philippi and the timing (about a week after Peter’s confession), the latter seems most probable, but the context does not definitely rule out either location.

About a week after leaving Caesarea Philippi, the Gospel writers record Jesus took those followers who were in His inner circle, Peter plus James and John (sons of Zebedee), up to a mountain to spend time in prayer (Luke 9:28-36).  Apparently Jesus had forgiven Peter for his brash rebuke and had restored him to fellowship.  While Jesus was praying, His face and clothing suddenly became “bright as a flash of lightning” (Luke 9:29).

We refer to this experience as the Transfiguration.  Two of the Gospels, Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2, write that Jesus was “transfigured”, using the Greek word from which we get our word “metamorphosis” which simply means “to change from one form to another.”  Luke 9:29 uses a phrase meaning “was altered, became different.”  While there are a number of interpretations of what happened, it seems clear that while for all the rest of Jesus’ ministry His heavenly splendor was hidden, God allowed it to shine through.  In doing so, God encouraged Jesus as He was about to face death for our sins, and He demonstrated once more to Jesus’ followers the divine nature of His Son.

Two of the most revered Old Testament prophets, Moses and Elijah, appeared and talked with Jesus about “his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31).   One is left wondering why these two men and not others showed up at this important juncture.  There are many fascinating parallels between the ministries of Moses and Elijah, but those parallels don’t seem to have much to do with the context of the transfiguration.  Again, Moses and Elijah conversed with Jesus about His death (8:31).  God had used Moses to explain and implement the system of animal sacrifices for the sins of the Israelites (Leviticus 1-7) in the Old Testament.  Perhaps Moses and Jesus talked about how Jesus’ sacrifice would be the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrifices.  Moses may well have encouraged Jesus in the face of His personal sacrifice.

Elijah was best known for several confrontations between the God of Israel and the pagan Canaanite god Baal and those who worshipped him (1 Kings 18).  One can readily imagine that Jesus and Elijah talked about Jesus’ death and resurrection as the ultimate battle between God and Satan and other forces of evil.  What an encouragement Elijah must have been to Jesus, even though at one point Elijah had run from opposition (1 Kings 19:1-18).

Has a friend come alongside you at a time in your life when you were facing a particular challenge or trial?

How did God use that person to help you through this difficulty?

Do you have a friend who needs encouragement right now?  How can you help that individual?