A few nights ago I had fallen asleep while other household members were still up and about. Suddenly though, I was awake again. Someone had turned on the hallway light, which extended its reach into the room where I was sleeping. And while the light was rather intrusive that night, more often than not, the light is exactly what we need.

According to the Gospel of Luke, Peter, John, and James accompanied Jesus up the mountain to pray, but at some point, the three disciples were “overcome by sleep” (Luke 9:32). During their sleep, Jesus is not only joined by the prophets Moses and Elijah, engaging in discussion with them, but also becomes transfigured, his appearance changing and his clothing giving off great light.

Peter, John and James, awoken seemingly by the intense light, witness Jesus’ transfiguration and the presence of the prophets alongside him. This is shortly followed by a cloud that envelops them, creating both darkness and fear. Yet it was in this cloud and undoubtedly their confusion about what was going on, that God speaks to them, shedding light by revealing the truth as well as providing instruction—“This is my chosen Son; listen to him” (Luke 9:35).   

While the disciples cannot account for what happened while they were sleeping, now that they are awake they do have a responsibility with regards to what they had witnessed. At the time appointed by Jesus (Matthew 17:9; Mark 9:9), they will give voice to what they saw and experienced that day on the mountain.

As we go through life, we all have moments where we experience or witness the glory of God. We also have moments where we witness the opposite of that. Whichever it may be, we are always called to testify and give witness to the truth.

The Light always wakes us up, but it is up to us how we respond.

In order to choose the right path we do not have to figure out the wrong one— we just need to follow the light. – The Path by Akiane Kramarik

Jesus took Peter, John, and James
and went up the mountain to pray.
While he was praying his face changed in appearance
and his clothing became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
but becoming fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus,
“Master, it is good that we are here;
let us make three tents,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
tell anyone what they had seen.  – Luke 9:28B-36