Transfigured
| After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There He was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!" Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. (Mark9:2-8) |
The Transfiguration is a significant moment in the gospels.
Here are some key perspectives:
- It is a confirmation of the confession Peter made that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Living God. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law (represented by Moses) and He is the hope of the prophets (represented by Elijah).
- It speaks of the importance of setting aside time and making an effort to be in the Father's presence. While He was always in the Father's presence, this is a moment of retreat. Jesus deliberately sets aside time to be with the Father in solitude and natural wonder.
- This moment is an important "tank-filling" or time of renewal for Jesus. His true identity has been declared, His intention to go to the cross has been made known, and He has unequivocally called people to follow Him. The Kingdom of God has come, and now Jesus must go to the cross. This moment strengthens Him.
- The Father affirms Jesus with an audible public voice from heaven. The other times this happens are at His baptism and in the week before the crucifixion.
- This is shared with only three disciples. It is a holy, precious and intimate moment.
So, the Transfiguration is a key symbol of Jesus' Divine Nature. It is a foundational event at a significant stage in Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God, and a profound moment of strengthening and divine affirmation for Jesus.
But I want to apply it a little differently:
If Jesus needed to retreat and be with the Father, how much more do we?
In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul talks about how Moses' face glowed after he had spent time with God on Mount Sinai. The glory faded, and Moses wore a veil either to stop the Israelites from being scared of his luminous face, or to hide the fact that the glory was fading.
In verse 18 Paul writes:
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
Like Moses, whose face glowed after being with God, and like Jesus, whose glory shone as He brought His frail humanity into communion with His Father - we also can shine with God's glory.
Many of us are running on empty, even though the stakes are high.
Let's learn from Jesus:
- Take time
- Retreat
- Keep it intimate
- Spend time in the Father's presence and with His Word
And I believe we'll be reminded:
"You are My child and I love you."
And I think our faces will shine!
