This morning, in my daily Bible reading, I read Luke 9. In this chapter is the account of the Transfiguration.

Luke 9:28 – 36

28. And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, He took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
29. And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering.
30. And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
31. Who appeared in glory, and spake of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.
32. But Peter and they that were with Him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw His glory, and the two men that stood with Him.
33. And it came to pass, as they departed from Him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
34. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
35. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son: hear Him.
36. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

Then, while reading Haldane on Romans 8:18, he referred to the Transfiguration in the following way.

Romans 8:18 – “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Haldane:

The Apostle had been reminding those to whom he wrote, that their sufferings with Christ is the way appointed by God to bring them to glory. Here he encourages them to endure affliction, because there is no comparison between their present sufferings and their future glory. In order to encourage the Israelites to sustain the difficulties that presented themselves in their entry into Canaan, God sent them of the fruits of the land while they were still in the desert. Our blessed Lord, too, permitted some of His disciples to witness His transfiguration, when His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as light. This was calculated to inspire them with an ardent desire to behold that heavenly glory, of which, on that occasion, they had a transient glimpse, and to render them more patient in sustaining the troubles they were about to encounter. In the same manner God acts towards His people when they suffer in this world. He sends them of the fruits of the heavenly Canaan, and allowing them to enjoy a measure of that peace which passeth all understanding, He favors them with some foretastes of the glory to be revealed.

Sometimes I have thought, What was the purpose of the Transfiguration? It used to seem like a disconnected event to me. Sure, it gave further proof to the three apostles that was the Son of God. They heard Him conversing about His upcoming death at Jerusalem. It gave them much to contemplate and proclaim later. But it seemed disjointed to me. Over the years I have come to think otherwise. Haldane’s reference to it as an inspiration to be kept in mind during the trials make it more integral to the Christian experience. Praise God.