This surprising and striking vision is best approached as myth in the true meaning of the word — not a story that is necessarily untrue, but a story that leads to a deeper insight into realities beyond the power of mere words to express. It would be hard to dismiss this story as a fanciful invention of the Gospel writers. In fact, 2 Pet 1:16-18 gives strong witness in addition to the Gospels that this event was known and accepted as literal fact in the earliest days of the Church. But it is the meaning beyond the details that is important.

Read this passage within its context: Peter had just professed faith in Jesus as Messiah (vv 18-20); Jesus then began to reveal that messiahship centers on the cross (vv 22 and 44) and true discipleship means following him in the cross (vv 23-27). In the midst of the message of the cross, this vision was intended to confirm the faith of the disciples, but the following incidents (see especially vv 41-42 and 45) show their continued weakness in faith.

How could the transfiguration of Jesus confirm their faith? It was more than just an impressive display of divine power. Anyone familiar with Israelite history knows that, for a Jew, the central event of all history was the exodus from Egypt and the establishment of the covenant on Mount Sinai. So many of the Jewish scriptural images were brought to a focus here — the mountain, radiance, the law (in the person of Moses), the prophets (in Elijah), the overshadowing cloud — that it became an unmistakable sign that the fulfillment of God’s deliverance (note that the Greek word for passage in v 31 is "exodos") was to take place through the cross of Christ. (Read Ex 19; 24; 34:27-35.)

Peter’s first reaction was to build a "dwelling" there (see Ex 40) to prolong the experience. This temptation, which reflects on our own attitude as well, sought to capture and take possession of the divine presence, and was countered by the testimony and affirmation of God in v 35. Peter, like ourselves, was in danger of drowning out Christ’s voice with his own.

God’s call of Abraham and his covenant with him is regarded as the foundation of the people of Israel — his descendants — just as the Sinai covenant would be the confirmation of their identity as God’s people. This covenant, whose terms focus mainly on land and progeny, may be more clearly understood if the sections relating to it are read consecutively, leaving aside other Abraham stories that are not directly connected. Thus, read together as one unit: Abraham’s call (Gn 12:1-8), the sealing of the covenant (chapter 15), circumcision as the permanent sign of the covenant (chapter 17), and the beginnings of the fulfillment of the covenant in the birth of Isaac (18:1-5; chapter 21).

The bloody and mysterious ritual described here is based on the ancient covenant rite of the people of that time and place. The leader of each tribe making the covenant agreement (usually concerning division of land or pledging mutual support against common enemies) would walk among the slaughtered carcasses and declare: "May this happen to me if I break this covenant." Note that in this reading God alone passes between the remains of the animals, signifying his fidelity even if Abraham’s descendants should prove unfaithful.

This is actually two distinct psalms. The second half (vv 7-14) is a patient and confident prayer of an oppressed person (or the whole people), calling upon God to be faithful to his covenant. Response: "Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble."

The Christian life is truly an imitation of Christ — not in a superficial way, as we usually understand the word "imitation" (something not real), but in a way that recognizes that we fully share in Christ’s life. Read all of chapters 2 and 3 as a mediation on the implications of this challenge of imitation.

1. What does Jesus Christ as crucified Savior mean to you? What signs in your life strengthen your own faith in the meaning of the cross?

2. Discuss what it means to imitate Christ by carrying his cross.