1After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
3Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus. 4Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, I will put up three shelters: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown in terror.
7Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Do not be afraid.” 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. (Matthew 17:1-8)
Thoughts: The Transfiguration is one of the great Christian holy days. It remembers Jesus is both human and divine. It notes that Jesus is greater than both Moses and Elijah who were also told to "listen to him" by the voice of the Father. On Jesus the shekinah glory of God shown. Hebrews 1:3 says that the Son of God (Jesus) is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being. John, who witnessed this would later write (Jn. 1:3), "We have seen his glory- the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father.
But it was from this point that Jesus set his face like flint toward Jerusalem, knowing He must go there to fulfill His purpose to die as the Great Passover Lamb who takes away the sins of the world (Jn. 1:29). At His baptism Jesus also heard the same voice saying, "This is my Son, whom I love, with Him I am well pleased" (Mt. 3:17). The voice at the Transfiguration adds, "Listen to Him" as a reminder that even Moses and Elijah representing the Law and the Prophets were to listen to the Word of God incarnate. Both Moses and Elijah went on a mountain to experience the face (presence) of God. Moses came down with his face glowing in reflection- so that they had to put a veil over him. One day in heaven there will be no sun or moon light nor light of a lamp or bulb but God's shekinah glory will be lighting the way (Rev. 21:5).
But it was from this point that Jesus set his face like flint toward Jerusalem, knowing He must go there to fulfill His purpose to die as the Great Passover Lamb who takes away the sins of the world (Jn. 1:29). At His baptism Jesus also heard the same voice saying, "This is my Son, whom I love, with Him I am well pleased" (Mt. 3:17). The voice at the Transfiguration adds, "Listen to Him" as a reminder that even Moses and Elijah representing the Law and the Prophets were to listen to the Word of God incarnate. Both Moses and Elijah went on a mountain to experience the face (presence) of God. Moses came down with his face glowing in reflection- so that they had to put a veil over him. One day in heaven there will be no sun or moon light nor light of a lamp or bulb but God's shekinah glory will be lighting the way (Rev. 21:5).
Prayer: Lord, transfigure me after your image. Change me and make me a new creation.
Raphael's Transfiguration
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