The upper part of The Transfiguration (1520) by Raphael, depicting Christ miraculously discoursing with Moses and Elijah. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
What? Jesus is making his disciples climb a mountain?
I hope it wasn’t a hot day. I don’t like climbing mountains on hot days.
Oh. He only took three of his disciples? Were the other ones out of shape? I bet that mountain was too high and steep for them and they couldn’t make it.
So who did Jesus take?
I am listening to the story. I’m just trying to help you along.
***
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain with him.
And when they were alone He was transfigured before them.
***
Did He become all crippled and ugly looking?
Well, isn’t disfigured the same as transfigured?
Okay, I’ll listen.
***
Jesus face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as light.
And then Moses and Elijah appeared and they were talking with Jesus.
***
Hey, I thought this was a story about Jesus. How did Moses and Elijah get into it?
I am listening.
***
Peter, James, and John were frightened and didn’t know what to do so Peter said, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
***
Do you think they could put up a shelter for me too? I bet it’s hot up there on that mountain.
***
While Peter was still speaking a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
***
Now I’m really in trouble. It was bad enough when you were telling me to listen, but now God is.
***
When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.
***
Were they having trouble listening too?
***
Jesus came and touched the disciples. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”
The disciples looked around and saw no one except Jesus.
***
Is this like the Twilight Zone or something?
***
As Jesus and the disciples were coming back down the mountain Jesus told them not to tell anyone what they’d seen until Jesus had been raised from the dead.
The disciples weren’t sure what Jesus meant, but they didn’t tell anyone for a long time.
***
This was really a strange story. Jesus didn’t heal anybody, and He didn’t help anyone catch a bunch of fish.
Hey, maybe Moses and Elijah went to get a bunch of fish and they’ll be back with dinner.
bongodogblog 
marina kanavaki
July 14, 2013 at 11:20 am
😆 “Twilight Zone”!!!! I love it how you listen sweet Bongo!!! [even if there’s no fish involved!]
🙂
Bongo
July 14, 2013 at 4:24 pm
Marina, is there a Twilight Zone episode where fish appear out of nowhere? I sure hope so.
PigLove
July 14, 2013 at 11:56 am
Snorts – so cool. Right now at the Hotel Thomspon we are reading in Numbers. Every night, after dinner before my television. I’m getting very pigeducated. XOXO – Bacon
Bongo
July 14, 2013 at 4:26 pm
Bacon, that’s funny because my person is teaching from Numbers to her Sunday school kids right now. Today they learned about the twelve men who went and spied out the land of Canaan, and then didn’t trust God to take the land for them. Then they made giant grape clusters out of purple balloons.
PigLove
July 14, 2013 at 5:15 pm
See we learn new things everyday my friend! It’s so exciting. XOXO – Bacon
stanze
July 14, 2013 at 3:22 pm
The story really has some flaws. As a child I always thought they mean it symbolic and not literal. I was wrong though, at least the Catholics mean every word of it. It must hurt to fall facedown to the ground.
Bongo
July 14, 2013 at 4:42 pm
I can imagine those poor guys with scraped up faces. Maybe they’d feel better if I gave them some big, slobbery kisses on their scrapes. Do you think maybe Matthew was taking some poetic license with his description? Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
stanze
July 15, 2013 at 3:09 am
Yes, a slobbery kiss would be best. If they hurt themselves or not, slobbery dog kisses are a good thing.. most of the time.
Misty Shores Chesapeakes
July 14, 2013 at 6:49 pm
I think you are right, maybe it is meant they fell down kneeling face to the ground. Good story today, I missed church this morning with a sick doggie so it was good to read your post 🙂
Bongo
July 14, 2013 at 9:04 pm
Thanks Misty Shores. Praying that your doggie is better soon.
eripanwkevin
July 15, 2013 at 7:18 am
Very mysterious story….I wonder why there were Moses and Elijah with Jesus together?Does it mean something? If Moses and Elijah wouldn’t have been there, those three disciples might not have heard God’s voice?
Bongo
July 15, 2013 at 2:43 pm
Kevin, I think you’re right. The disciples might not have heard God’s voice if Moses and Elijah hadn’t been there. They are two of God’s greatest prophets so having them there talking to Jesus probably helped those disciples realize just how important Jesus is. Even though those disciples spent a lot of time with Jesus, they still hadn’t figured out who He really was.
FleaByte
July 15, 2013 at 9:10 am
Silly Bongo. Maountain tops are cool, not hot. Your mama needs to take you hiking in the mountains. I don’t think you’ll see Jesus up there, but you never know.
Bongo
July 15, 2013 at 2:47 pm
FleaByte, I guess around here we just have little rocky hills and it’s hot when you climb them this time of year. Maybe I could get my person to take me to Flagstaff where there are real mountains.
colliesofthemeadow
August 11, 2013 at 1:39 pm
Well, isn’t disfigured the same as transfigured? We laughed till we hurt when we read this!
-the collies and chuck 🙂
Bongo
August 11, 2013 at 2:19 pm
Collies and Chuck, I’m glad my comments helped move the story along. I’m sure you understand it much better because of what I say.