We have seen his glory, the glory
of the only Son of the Father.
—John 1:14
The scenes on the mountain of transfiguration and at the hill of crucifixion are in stark contrast.
On the mountain, Jesus was revealed in glory; on the hill of crucifixion, he was held in contempt and killed.
On the mountain, his face shined like the sun; on the hill, his face was bruised and bloody.
On the mountain, he was flanked by Moses and Elijah, two of the greatest; on the hill, he was flanked by bandits, two of the worst.
On the mountain, a bright cloud enveloped them; on the hill, they were plunged into three hours of total darkness.
On the mountain, God’s voice declared his love for his Son; on the hill, God was silent.
We, too, will see his glory (Jn 17:24). But before we come to the glory, we must come to the Cross.
Jesus experienced the gore of the Cross
so we could experience the glory of heaven.