03.19. On a northern mountain

On a northern mountain The Mount of Transfiguration is believed to be Mount Hermon, in Israel’s far north. This identification is possibly correct, because just before his transfiguration, Jesus was nearby in Caesarea Philippi, the northernmost Israelite town of his recorded travels. This was the place where he asked his disciples who they believed him to be, and Peter, speaking no doubt on behalf of the group, replied that he was the promised Messiah, the Son of God.¹ A few days later, Jesus and his disciples went up ‘a high mountain’, which again suggests Mount Hermon, the highest mountain in all Israel. The remarkable event known as the Transfiguration² was seen by only three disciples, and seems to have been a revelation of the glory that Jesus laid aside when he came into the world. It now reappeared briefly through a human body and gave a glimpse of the glory he would have after he finished the work he came to do. That work could not be completed, however, till Jesus had given his life in sacrifice on the cross. This confirmed what he had told his disciples only a few days earlier – the Messiah had to die before he could enter his glory.³ In spite of Peter’s well-meaning but misguided attempt to prevent such a death, Jesus knew there was no way he could avoid the cross.⁴

Moreover, Jesus made it clear, both to the twelve and to all believers since, that any who want to be his followers must be prepared for a similar end. Those who want to keep their lives for themselves will lose life in the only sense that matters; those who choose the way of self-denial for the sake of Christ will find life in its fullest sense.⁵

Jesus would enter his eternal glory only by way of death – and so it is with us. The only things of eternal worth are those we sacrifice for the sake of Jesus Christ. Those we keep for ourselves will perish with us.

1. Matthew 16:13-20. Caesarea Philippi later became known as Banyas.

2. Matthew 17:1-13 3. Luke 9:30-31; cf. Matthew 16:21 4. Matthew 16:21-23 5. Matthew 16:24-26

Cave at Banyas, where a spring is one source of the Jordan River