Scene from Mt Tabor
Three years ago I come back from the Holy Land where I had first-hand experience of Mount Tabor, seeing and walking in in the place where the Transfiguration happened.
What was it that Jesus was asking his disciples here? Why once again, did he just take Simon Peter, James and John? How amazed were they as they stood and watched Jesus transform into dazzling brightness, how unbelievable that as the cloud descended there beside Jesus, stood Elijah and Moses?
Mt Tabor is a mountain that stands clear above the plain of now farmed land, it’s a proper mountain shape and as you ascend to the top, it feels very much like being on the top of the world.
And Jesus took the three there to try to open their eyes to what was happening.
Often in Jewish scriptures we hear of the ‘veil of ordinariness that normally prevents us from seeing the inside of a situation. This is a view and an insight into God’s kingdom, Jesus really did appear as the Messiah. The disciples were transfixed. They could see with their eyes wide open, the veil was removed.
There is now the magnificent Church of the Transfiguration on Mt Tabor and you can see more on my Holy Land blog.
Rev’d Sue Martin