You Can’t Stay Here: Faith That Moves Beyond the Mountaintop
Luke 9:28-36
Introduction: A Story of Disfiguration
Have you ever seen something that had fallen into a state of disrepair? Perhaps a barn? An antique car? Or a house that was once beautiful but now sits with peeling paint, sagging steps, and shingles that are curling at the edges? Maybe it was a place that had once been full of life, but over time, neglect and wear took their toll, leaving it a shadow of its past glory.
I remember the first time my wife and I walked through what would become our first house. We were expecting our first son, Asher, who is now 10, and with a baby on the way, we knew it was time to find a place to make a home. The house had been well-built in the 1950s, and at one time, it had been well cared for. But by the time we saw it, it had fallen into disrepair. Every room on the main floor had a different type of ugly flooring—none of it matched. The walls were covered in layers of outdated wallpaper, some with peeling floral borders. The upstairs bathroom had a pink bathtub, and the basement had that old orange shag carpet that was once all the rage and recently the original wood paneling had been painted a soft pink! As we walked through, my wife was nearly in tears. “I cannot live in this house,” overwhelmed by the reality of the mess. But as I wandered through, my eyes were wide with excitement. Not because of how it looked at that moment, but because I could see what it could become. I wasn’t focused on its current state of disfiguration—I was beginning to dream of its transfiguration.
Transfiguration: A Glimpse of Glory
The Transfiguration of Jesus is one of the most striking moments in Scripture. Peter, James, and John follow Jesus up a mountain to pray, and suddenly, His appearance changes. His face shines like the sun, His clothes become dazzling white, and Moses and Elijah appear beside Him. A cloud descends, and a voice from heaven declares, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him.”
But what exactly is transfiguration? One of our quilters has a church calendar and boldly told me this week: “This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday!” But what does that word mean? It means a complete transformation that reveals a deeper truth. Jesus wasn’t simply glowing for dramatic effect—His divine nature was being unveiled. The disciples had followed Him as a teacher and miracle worker, but here, they saw Him for who He truly was—God in the flesh.
The Old Testament Foreshadowing: Moses on the Mountain
The story of Moses on Mount Sinai provides a powerful parallel. In Exodus 34, Moses ascends the mountain to meet with God and receive the Ten Commandments. When he comes down, his face reflects God’s glory so intensely that the people are afraid to look at him. He has to veil his face because it shines so brightly.
Throughout Scripture, mountaintops are places of divine encounter. Moses meets God on the mountain. Elijah hears God in the whisper on the mountain. Jesus is transfigured on the mountain. These moments reveal glimpses of God’s presence. But there is a key difference: while Moses’ face reflected God’s glory, Jesus radiated it from within. Moses was like the moon, reflecting the sun's light, while Jesus was the source of the light itself. The transfiguration wasn’t just about Jesus experiencing God—it was about revealing His divine identity as the Son of God. Yet, as incredible as that moment was, neither Moses nor Jesus stayed on the mountain. Faith isn’t just about seeing glory—it’s about what happens when you step back down.
A Closer Look at Luke 9:28-34
Luke tells us that Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain to pray. This moment follows Jesus’ warning that He would suffer, die, and rise again (Luke 9:22). The transfiguration happens in the shadow of the cross.
As Jesus prays, His face shines, and His clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Old Testament scriptures of the Law and the Prophets, speaking with Him about His coming departure (exodus in Greek), foreshadowing His death and resurrection. The disciples, groggy with sleep, wake to witness this divine revelation. Overwhelmed, Peter blurts out, “Let’s build three shelters!” He wants to stay in this holy moment. But before he can act, a cloud—representing God’s presence—envelops them, and the voice from heaven speaks: “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him.” This moment confirms Jesus’s divine identity, but it also serves as a reminder: they cannot stay on the mountain. The journey of faith calls them forward.
Transfiguration in Literature: A Surprising Parallel
You might be surprised to learn that transfiguration—a transformation that reveals a deeper truth—shows up in literature as well. One of the most striking examples comes from C.S. Lewis’s The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
In the book, there’s a boy named Eustace Scrubb, and as Lewis bluntly puts it, he “almost deserved” such an awful name. That’s how unlikeable he is! Eustace is selfish, whiny, greedy, and completely lacking in imagination or kindness. He complains about everything, thinks only of himself, and treats others with arrogance and contempt.
During a voyage, Eustace stumbles upon a dragon’s hoard of gold, greedily slips a golden bracelet onto his arm, and falls asleep on the treasure. When he wakes up, he has been transfigured—not into glory, but into a dragon! His outward form now matches what had been true of him all along—his greed, selfishness, and isolation.
At first, he is terrified, but slowly, something changes. Being a dragon forces him to realize how miserable he has been. Then, Aslan—the Christ figure of the story—appears and tells him that if he wants to be restored, he must shed his dragon skin. Eustace tries to claw it off himself, but each time, another layer remains. Finally, Aslan tells him, “You must let me do it.” When Aslan reaches out, his claws cut deep—deeper than Eustace could ever go on his own. It is painful, but it is only in surrendering to Aslan’s work that he is truly transformed. The dragon’s skin is peeled away, and Eustace is restored—not just to his human form, but to a changed heart. This is what true transfiguration is about. It’s not just an outward change—it’s a transformation that only God can accomplish. And like Eustace, we cannot do it on our own. Real transformation requires surrender to Christ.
Transfiguration in Art: Raphael’s Theological Vision
In our church bulletin today and on the screen in the sanctuary, you’ll see an image of Raphael’s The Transfiguration—and that’s no coincidence. Religious art isn’t just about beauty; it reflects a theological interpretation of reality. Raphael’s masterpiece does more than capture the dazzling glory of Christ on the mountaintop—it also forces us to confront the reality of the broken world below.
At first glance, the painting is divided into two distinct sections. The upper half is luminous, full of divine radiance. Jesus is at the center, His body suspended in glory, flanked by Moses and Elijah. His garments shine with a brilliance that symbolizes His divine nature, and the use of bright, contrasting colors draws our eyes upward to this moment of revelation. This is the Christ who is fully God, the fulfillment of the law and the prophets.
But then, our eyes are pulled downward. The lower half of the painting is chaotic, dark, and almost frantic. Here, we see the scene from the very next passage in Luke 9:37-43—the moment Jesus descends from the mountain and is immediately met with a desperate father and a demon-possessed boy. While the disciples above bask in divine revelation, the figures below writhe in confusion and suffering. It is a stark contrast—glory above, brokenness below.
Raphael’s decision to combine these two moments is profoundly theological. Peter wanted to build shelters to abide in the glory of the mountaintop experience. But Jesus didn’t stay. The incarnate Christ comes down. He leaves the brightness of the mountaintop and steps into the pain and struggle of the real world. Because transfiguration isn’t just about seeing glory—it’s about what happens after. It is a call to action, a reminder that faith moves us from revelation to restoration. Jesus shows us that true glory is found in descending into the suffering of humanity to bring healing.
Transfiguration in Everyday Life
One of the concrete ways to live out transfiguration is through presence—showing up in the lives of others. Jesus didn’t stay on the mountain because real ministry happens in the valleys. We live in a world full of people who are struggling—those facing loneliness, dealing with loss, navigating change, or searching for purpose. Sometimes, transformation doesn’t come through grand gestures but through the small, faithful acts of being with people—listening, praying, and sharing life.
A story about a colleague of mine: for years, Tammy faithfully supported her husband, who was a pastor, while raising their four children and serving in their local church. But as her kids grew older, she felt drawn to the university campus, a place filled with young people navigating big questions about life and faith. But when she expressed her desire to step into campus ministry, some denominational leaders were skeptical. She had no theological degree, no formal ministry experience – what could she possibly offer?
What she had was presence. She showed up. She started building relationships. And she brought muffins. That’s right—muffin diplomacy. Tammy realized that something as simple as fresh-baked muffins and a conversation could open doors. She sat with students, listened to their experiences both good and bad and became a steady presence in their lives. What started as small, faithful acts became transfigurational. 15 years later, Tammy’s presence has reshaped the spiritual landscape of that university for many students. She has walked with students through doubt and discovery, grief and joy. She didn’t wait for permission. She didn’t wait to feel qualified. She simply participated.
Tammy’s story reminds us that transfiguration isn’t just about what happens to us—it’s about stepping into the places where transformation is needed and being present for the work God is already doing. Sometimes, all it takes is a willing heart, a listening ear, and maybe even some homemade muffins.
Conclusion: Faith that Moves Beyond the Mountaintop
Throughout Scripture, in the Old Testament, in art, in literature, and in everyday life, transfiguration is a moment of transformation that reveals a deeper truth. Moses reflected God’s glory, Raphael captured both the mountaintop and the valley, and Eustace Scrubb had to surrender to be made new. But at the heart of it all is Christ—transfigured before His disciples, revealing His divine nature, and calling us forward into a transformed life.
But here’s the challenge: You can’t stay here. The temptation of nostalgia is real. It’s easy to hold onto past experiences, to build a monument for what once was, just like Peter wanted to do on the mountain. But Jesus calls you forward. If you have glimpsed the glory of Christ in a new way today, don’t let it remain just a moment. Let it move you. Let it change you. Listen to Him. Step into what He is calling you to do and who He is calling you to be.
And as a church, we can’t stay here either. We honour the history we have inherited, and we give thanks for those who have gone before us—faithful leaders like JJ Thiessen, whose dedication helped the foundation for this community of faith. Their legacy is a gift, but it is not a destination. We do not exist to simply preserve their work—we are called to build upon it. To step forward in faith and to embrace the story that God is writing today. That story includes the people in this room right now. And it also includes those whom God will bring to us in the days ahead. Like Jesus, we must walk down the mountain and embody a faith that touches real people in real places, with real needs. Our community, our city, needs the presence of a transfigured people—people who themselves have been transformed and now radiate the image of Christ wherever they go.
So, will you follow Him? Will we follow Him? Because you can’t stay here. And we can’t stay here. Faith moves us forward. As we have ascended the mountain to see the glorious presence of Jesus, let us also now descend with a faith that moves us beyond the mountaintop.