Podcast Summary: “A Foretaste of Christ’s Glory”
Podcast: Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson
Host: Ligonier Ministries
Episode Date: October 30, 2025
Overview of the Episode
In this devotional reflection, Sinclair B. Ferguson turns to the Transfiguration of Christ—traditionally located on Mount Hermon—as one of the “big moments” in Jesus’ earthly life. Ferguson explores how this event offers a preview of Christ’s final glory, the significance for the disciples who witnessed it, and what it means for Christians living by faith rather than sight. By connecting this foretaste of glory to the shame of the cross, Ferguson emphasizes that followers of Christ should look beyond present realities toward their eternal significance.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Setting and Sequence of Events
- Ferguson places the Transfiguration in the context of the week following Jesus’ prediction:
“Just before the Transfiguration, Jesus said that some of the disciples would not see death before they saw the kingdom of God... and these words are linked by the gospel writers by a rare time marker. The Transfiguration took place just a week after Jesus had said this.” [01:00] - Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to the “highlands, traditionally on Mount Hermon,” where they witness this extraordinary event.
The Meaning of the Transfiguration
- The event is understood as a prophetic moment—“a foretaste of what was still to come,” and a “glimpse of what was to come, a kind of preview of the final glory of the Lord Jesus.” [02:00]
- Ferguson connects the Transfiguration to Jesus’ prayer in John 17:24:
“that we would be with him to see his glory, the glory he had with his Father before the world began.” [02:30] - Peter later reflects on this encounter, affirming the eyewitness nature of their experience:
“We were eyewitnesses of his majesty when he received honor and glory, because we were with him there on the holy mountain.” [03:00]
The Disciples’ Experience
- The moment was overwhelming and emotionally draining:
“They could hardly stay awake, but they seemed to have been sufficiently alert to realize somehow that Moses and Elijah had appeared, and they were talking with Jesus about the new exodus...” [03:20] - Moses and Elijah’s presence signifies the Law and the Prophets, discussing “the new exodus”—Christ’s coming death and resurrection in Jerusalem.
God’s Direct Revelation
- “The glory cloud of the presence of God came down and enveloped them. And God spoke very directly. Listen to my son.” [04:00]
- Moses and Elijah then depart, leaving “Jesus there in solitary glory.”
Purpose for the Disciples
- Ferguson suggests practical reasons why Peter, James, and John were present:
“No doubt it was to reassure them that he truly was the Son of God incarnate. But perhaps it was also because he knew these same three disciples would later be stationed near him in the garden of Gethsemane on the evening of his crucifixion.” [04:30] - The connection between the experience of glory on the mountain and the agony in Gethsemane highlights the unity of Christ’s mission.
The Interplay of Glory and Shame
- Profoundly, the sight of glory makes the depth of Christ’s forthcoming shame all the more significant:
“The glory required the shame. The shame led to the glory.” [05:30] - Ferguson ties this lesson to Christian life: the one who is glorious endured shame for believers.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On the Transfiguration's Meaning:
“It was a moment that prophesied the future. It was a real unique historical event, but it was also a glimpse of what was to come, a kind of preview of the final glory of the Lord Jesus.”
— Sinclair B. Ferguson [02:00]
On God’s Instruction:
“The glory cloud of the presence of God came down and enveloped them. And God spoke very directly. Listen to my son. And Moses and Elijah had disappeared from view, and Jesus was there in solitary glory.”
— Sinclair B. Ferguson [04:00]
Connecting Glory and Suffering:
“He surely wanted them to see these two times of prayer were actually connected. The sight of his glory must have made the sight of his shame almost unbearable. They slept in Gethsemane as well as on the mountain. But he also wanted them to see where that shame would eventually lead. The glory required the shame. The shame led to the glory.”
— Sinclair B. Ferguson [05:15]
Closing Hymn Reflection:
“It reminds us of this, that the one who is himself glorious, the Son of God, came bearing shame and scoffing, rude, in my place condemned he stood, sealed my pardon with his blood. Yes, indeed, Hallelujah. What a Savior.”
— Sinclair B. Ferguson [05:50]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [00:07] Opening and Context Setting
- [01:00] Jesus’ Prophecy and the Rare Time Marker
- [02:00] The Transfiguration as Prophecy and Preview
- [03:00] Peter’s Testimony as an Eyewitness
- [03:20] The Disciples’ Overwhelming Experience; Moses & Elijah
- [04:00] The Glory Cloud and God’s Direct Voice
- [04:30] Why Jesus Chose These Three Disciples
- [05:15] The Connection Between Glory and Shame
- [05:50] Concluding Hymn Reflection
Tone and Language
Ferguson’s tone is reflective, devotional, and pastorally warm, weaving biblical exposition with practical, faith-building application. He moves thoughtfully from the historical event to its theological and personal implications.
Conclusion
Sinclair B. Ferguson’s meditation on the Transfiguration urges listeners to find hope and perspective in Christ’s revealed glory, especially as it is connected to his suffering for our redemption. The episode invites Christians to “walk by faith, not by sight,” trusting that beyond present hardship, Christ’s glorious kingdom awaits.