TRANSFIGURATION: A GLIMPSE OF GLORY! [HIS & YOURS]
About a week after Jesus plainly told His disciples that He would suffer, be killed, and be raised to life (Luke 9:22), He took Peter, James and John up a mountain to pray.
While praying, His personal appearance was changed into a glorified form, and His clothing became dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus about His death that would soon take place.
Peter, not knowing what he was saying and being very fearful, offered to put up three shelters for them. This is undoubtedly a reference to the booths that were used to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, when the Israelites dwelt in booths for 7 days (Lev. 23:34–42).
Peter was expressing a wish to stay in that place. When a cloud enveloped them, a voice said, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen, whom I love; listen to Him!”
The cloud lifted.
Moses and Elijah had disappeared.
And Jesus was alone with His disciples who were still very much afraid.
Jesus warned them not to tell anyone what they had seen until after His resurrection. The three accounts of this event are found inMatthew 17:1-8,Mark 9:2-8, andLuke 9:28-36.
Undoubtedly, the purpose of the transfiguration of Christ into (at least a part of) His heavenly glory was so that the “inner circle” of His disciples could gain a greater understanding of who Jesus was.
The word "transfigured" is a very interesting word. The Greek word is "metamorpho" and it means to transform, literally or figuratively to metamorphose, or to change. The word is a verb that means to change into another form. It also means to change the outside to match the inside.
The prefix "meta" means to change and the "morphe" means form. In the case of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ it means to match the outside with the reality of the inside. Jesus' divine nature was "veiled" (Hebrews 10:20) in human form and the transfiguration was a glimpse of that glory. The voice of God attesting to the truth of Jesus' Sonship was the second time God's voice was heard. The first time was at Jesus' baptism into His public ministry by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:7; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22).
Christ underwent a dramatic change in appearance in order for the disciples to behold Him in His glory.
The disciples, who had only known Him in His human body, now had a greater realization of the deity of Christ, though they could not fully comprehend it. This gave them the reassurance they needed after hearing the shocking news of His coming death.
Symbolically, the appearance of Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets. As well as the 2 or 3 witnesses required to establish truth. But God’s voice from heaven (the third witness) – “Listen to Him!” - clearly showed that the Law and the Prophets must give way to the authority of Jesus.
The One who is the new and living way is replacing the old – He is the fulfillment of the Law and the countless prophecies in the Old Testament. Also, in His glorified form they saw a "preview" of His coming glorification and enthronement as King of kings and Lord of lords. [As well as a "movie trailer" of our own bodies, after we are resurrected.]
Which brings me to explain this next baffling text:
Luke 9:27 says, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." (See alsoMatthew 16:28andMark 9:1for the parallel quotes.)
In each of the synoptic Gospels, the next event immediately after this promise from Jesus is the transfiguration. Rather than interpreting Jesus' promise as referring to His second coming to establish His kingdom on earth, the context indicates that Jesus was referring to the transfiguration. The Greek word translated “kingdom” can also be translated “royal splendor,” meaning that some disciples standing there would see Christ as He really is—the King of heaven—which occurred in the transfiguration.
The disciples, Peter, James, and John saw Jesus in all His glory and splendor, chit chatting with a glorified Moses and Elijah. This is a glimpse of what will occur in Jesus' kingdom. The disciples were dumbstruck at the sight and “fell on their faces” (Matthew 17:6). AND YOU SHOULD TOO!!!!
The disciples never forgot what happened that day on the mountain and no doubt this was intended. Thus, John wrote in his gospel, “We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only” (John 1:14).
Peter also wrote of it, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain” (2 Peter 1:16-18).
Those who witnessed the transfiguration (Peter, James and John) bore witness to it to the other disciples and to countless millions down through the centuries. And it is recorded to increase our faith in the hope for which we believe.
I am so excited. I cannot wait to be with Jesus in my glorified body!!! Thank you Lord for the BEST PREVIEW EVER! (Better than the Lazarus movie trailer of you proving you are The Resureection and The Life!)
Hope you enjoyed this Upside Down Caramel Macchiato with Whip and a warm Morning Bun!
Robbs
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