36. The Transfiguration

What the Story Says

1. Who did Jesus take with him when he went up the mountain to pray?

   He took Peter, James, and John (#36-01).

2. In what way did Jesus' face change as he was praying?

   His face became as bright as the sun (#36-02).

3. In what way did Jesus' clothes change as he was praying?

   His clothes became as white as light, whiter than anyone on earth could make them (#36-02).

4. Who appeared with Jesus on the mountain?

   Moses and the prophet Elijah appeared with him (#36-03).

5. What were Jesus, Moses, and Elijah talking about?

   They were talking about Jesus' death, which would soon happen in Jerusalem (#36-03).

6. What did Peter offer to do for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah?

   Peter offered to build three shelters for them (#36-04).

7. Who answered Peter?

   God the Father answered as a voice from heaven (#36-05).

8. What did God the Father tell Peter do to?

   God said that Peter should listen to Jesus, because he was God's Son whom he loved, and God was please with him (#36-05).

9. What did the disciples do when they heard God's voice?

   The disciples fell down on the ground in fear (#36-5).

10. What did the disciples see when Jesus told them to get up?

    They no longer saw anyone there except Jesus (#36-06).

11. When would Jesus allow the disciples to tell people what had happened on the mountain?

    Jesus told the disciples that after he would die and come back to live, they could then tell people what had happened on the mountain (#36-07).

What the Story Means to Us

1. Why do you think Jesus took only Peter, James, and John with him up the mountain, and not the other disciples?

   Jesus allowed Peter, James, and John to see and hear more thing than the other disciples. This may have been because they would become the highest leaders of the early church.

2. Why do you think the appearance of Jesus changed?

   While Jesus was on earth, he appeared as a normal person. However, he was also God. On the mountain, he allowed the disciples to see a glimpse of his divine nature. Both his face and his clothes changed to the form they have in heaven.

3. Why is it significant that Moses and Elijah were the two men who were talking with Jesus?

   Moses and Elijah have lived long ago, and were not in heaven with God. They also represented all the law of God and all the Old Testament prophets who predicted that the Messiah would come and die in order to save people. When they appeared with Jesus, that showed that Jesus was the Messiah.

4. Why was it not proper for Peter to make shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah?

   Peter wanted to make three shelters in order to honor Jesus, Moses, and Elijah as equals. But they were not equal. Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God. He was greater than Moses and Elijah. Therefore, God the Father spoke from heaven and told Peter to listen only to Jesus.

5. Why do you think Jesus did not allow the disciples to tell anyone what had happened on the mountain right away?

   The disciples did not yet understand what these thing meant, or that Jesus would die for sins. They would not be able to explain them properly at that time. However, after Jesus would die and come back to life again, they would understand these things, and could explain to other people what these things meant.

Summary

Jesus took only his closest disciples—Peter, James, and John—up the mountain with him. He then allowed them to see him briefly change to his divine appearance, and talk with Moses and Elijah about his coming death. The disciples were not yet able to understand what these things meant. But after Jesus would die and come back to life, they would understand that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God. They would then be able to explain to other people that God sent his Son Jesus as the Messiah to pay the penalty for the sins of other people.