“1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8 And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone”
Matthew 17:1-8.
The word “transfiguration" means a change of form or appearance.
The Greek word for transfiguration gives us our English word, metamorphosis. In this passage Jesus’ appearance changes so a glimpse or snapshot is given of His full heavenly glory, “His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light”.
In Matthew 16:13-20 Peter has shown understanding of Jesus’ identity, that he is the Christ (Messiah). This experience of the transfiguration is to help deepen this understanding. It is so special that only Jesus’ three closest followers - Peter, James and John - are chosen to witness it. Jesus wants them to understand that His role of Messiah will involve suffering and death, but this will not be the final outcome of His mission. Jesus has come from Heaven and he will return there when he has completed His task on Earth.
This story is filled with Old Testament references, which Matthew’s readers would easily pick up. For example, it takes place six days after Peter’s declaration of faith, and this may be a link to Moses who spent six days in preparation before he was called to approach God in a cloud on Mount Sinai. This incident also takes place up a mountain and a cloud which symbolize the presence of God. Moses and Elijah appear and stand beside Jesus, symbolizing that Jesus is their successor and has fulfilled both. Moses led God’s people, the Israelites, out of slavery in Egypt. He then met with God on Mount Sinai and gave the people God’s laws, the Ten Commandments. Moses’ face was radiant after such close contact with God. Elijah was a prophet, one of God’s messengers. He also went to Mount Sinai, where God revealed himself in a gentle whisper.
Their roles can be summarized as follows:
MOSES = THE LAW
ELIJAH = THE PROPHETS
In the Bible, God’s presence is often shown by cloud or fire. Mountaintops were often the location for appearances from God. This special cloud or fire was called “shekinah” in Hebrew. Indeed, Jesus is now bringing a new covenant from God for all people.
When God’s voice is heard, He is reassuring the disciples that even though Jesus must suffer they must listen to him and obey him.
Jesus again commands the disciples not to tell others of the experience. The time for this will be later, after his death and resurrection.
Jesus remains a mystery to us, yet the change that He experienced in dying and rising from the dead promised those who follow Him a change, a metamorphosis, from this human life of ours to eternal life with Christ.
Today take time in quiet prayer before God to be in His presence. May His loving presence change you!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy win me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” Galatians 2:20.
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules”
Ezekiel 36:26-27.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” Romans 12:2.
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