The Transfiguration

Although Jesus spent so much of his time ministering to large crowds, from time to time he kept slipping away to some quiet spot where he “could be alone” (Mark 9:2).  On one occasion he took three of his disciples (Peter, James, and John) with him and went up a high mountain to pray. God the Son needed some time to talk it all over with his Father. I can see the three disciples as they watched their master in prayer. Gradually his face began to glow and everything around him became increasingly bathed in light. We call this remarkable moment the transfiguration. Not only did his face begin to shine like the sun, but his clothes turned a dazzling white. Suddenly Moses and Elijah were there, discussing with Jesus his coming death and resurrection. You will remember that the face of Moses was radiant as he came down the mountain with the Ten Commandments, and that Elijah was the prophet who went to heaven without dying. 
       This experience of the coming glory was more than Peter could handle. Not knowing what else to do, the impetuous fisherman blurted out something about erecting some shrines to commemorate the experience. But that wasn’t what God had in mind. A luminous cloud came over them and the voice of God spoke: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased!” (Matt. 17:5). They were to pay attention to what he had to say. The disciples fell to the ground, Jesus laid his hands on them and suddenly the heavenly visitors were gone. The disciples had experienced the glory of the coming age to help them understand that although Jesus would be put to death, he would rise again to the glory of the eternal state.
       Apart from the transfiguration itself and the grandeur it promised, what can we learn from it for today? What immediately comes to mind for me is the certainty of life beyond death. Not only does it truly exist, but it will be a time of glorious celebration in the presence of God along with his family throughout time. The radiance of Jesus’ face promises a complete change for us from the darkness of sin in this limited world to the brightness in which God dwells. The transfiguration was a brief experience in time that revealed an eternal state of glory. Just think of it! We his children get to be a part of it all!