Lk.9:28,29 – About eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter, John, and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.

Of course the thing about this event, the thing that stands out, is that Jesus was transformed before the eyes of the disciples. Many years later, shortly before his death, Peter was still talking about this moment on the Mount of Transfiguration. For Jesus the story is a little different, He wasn’t thinking about transfigured appearances or even the sudden arrival of Moses and Elijah. That was not what this moment was about to the Son of God. Why was Jesus up on this mountain in the first place? Luke said He was praying. Well what exactly was He praying about? He was checking Himself before the Father, He had to be sure that Calvary was the plan of God, that’s why He went up on this mountain, to settle things in His heart once and for all. Here is how Barclay describes this moment.

“He had to make quite sure, sure beyond all doubt, that he was doing what God wished him to do. He had to make certain that it was indeed God’s will that he should go to the cross. Jesus went up Mount Hermon to ask God: ‘Am I doing your will in setting my face to go to Jerusalem?’ Jesus went up Mount Hermon to listen for the voice of God. He would take no step without consulting God. How then could he take the biggest step of all without consulting him? Of everything, Jesus asked one question and only one question: ‘Is it God’s will for me?’ And that is the question he was asking in the loneliness of the slopes of Hermon. It is one of the supreme differences between Jesus and us that Jesus always asked: ‘What does God wish me to do?’ We nearly always ask: ‘What do I wish to do?’”

There would be no turning back after the Transfiguration. Even Elijah and Moses spoke to the Lord confirming His decision, the cross was now clearly in His sights, He was certain this is why He came, He would be the Lamb of God offered for the sins of the world.