3. Transfiguration - glory concealed/revealed

What happened on the mountain

While on the mountain with his three disciples, Jesus revealed more of his God-nature to them. It was stunning. It was glorious. From within himself, he shone – not a reflected light, but like the sun – a source of his own light. He exuded light, so even his clothing shone white as light. He didn’t slip on some better clothes – he transformed his clothing by exuding his personal glory.

Peter and the others had realised from Jesus’ teaching, miracles, self-confidence and gracious actions that he was the promised chosen leader for humankind: The Christ of God. But while this was a correct understanding, it was way, way short of just what it meant for Jesus to be the Son of the living God! So the Father and the Son graciously drew back the veil a little so that they could catch a glimpse of the glory that belongs to him – glory that up to that point was deliberately concealed behind his human flesh.

It is very gracious of our God to approach us in a way that will not consume us – for if he did not moderate or tone down his glory we would be like moths approaching a roaring bonfire – we would be instantly burned up. This is why God concealed himself in the Old Testament. When God met Israel at Mt Sinai, he concealed himself within a dark and lightning-wracked cloud when he touched the mountain top. When Moses went to meet with God in the wilderness, a cloud enveloped the meeting tent so that neither he nor the people would see God’s face and die. And when God came amongst his people to rescue them and bring the good news that would rescue people for all nations and subsequent generations, the manhood of Jesus softened the dazzling and fearful glory of God’s nature so he was approachable.

But in case we should stupidly assume that the meekness of Jesus Christ was weakness or that his manliness excluded his godliness, he appeared to these three witnesses (Peter, James and John) in a transfigured – changed – state. He allowed some of his personal glory to shine from himself.

Know this: Jesus the man carries the full weight of God’s glory. What he says are not simply things to take into consideration as you choose your path through life. His words ARE life. Miss them and you miss life. The transfiguration, witnessed by reliable men, recorded and explained by them, teaches us that we must pay full attention to Jesus Christ and submit to him. Not do so is to offend God. The neglect of his call to repent and surrender our lives to him – failing to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him – is to lose our lives. (16.24-28).

Your opinion of Jesus matters little. It certainly will not affect him. What counts is Jesus’ certainty of his own identity plus the confirmation of his Father, who spoke directly from the cloud to the watching disciples. He said: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

Briefly, let me explain the significance of Moses and Elijah appearing with Jesus. 17.3

First, it confirmed that they still exist and live in the spiritual world. They completed their work in this life and are participants in God’s kingdom – announced and introduced by Jesus; a kingdom that is working powerfully and undercover in the world now (as it has been for 2,000 years since his resurrection) but which will have its covers pulled off at the end of the present age when Christ returns publicly.

Second, their appearance showed to the disciples and us, their inferiority of Jesus. Israel held Moses and Elijah (representatives of the Law and the Prophets – the Old Testament scriptures) in very high regard. But God himself announces that the one voice to listen to, the one person to fix our attention on is Jesus. He is the fulfilment of the Law given through Moses and the Word behind all the prophets including Elijah.

Peter’s response to the magnificence of Jesus’ form and the appearance of the two Old Testament men, was to mistakenly suggest that he build three shelters (Luke comments that he didn’t know what he was saying!). Peter’s suggestion shows up his limited understanding of the scope of Jesus’ kingdom.

Peter was still thinking in Old Testament mode where the tent (later the temple) was the meeting place between God’s glory and Israel. But there is no need for tents or temples any more – God has pitched his tent among human beings in the flesh of Jesus Christ. Later on, after the resurrection, they would come to understand that all who are born again become members of the church – the body of Christ – the Temple of God’s Spirit. Christ IN YOU.

Finally, a bright cloud overshadowed them and a strong voice was heard. God the Father spoke from the cloud to the disciples concerning his Son.

17.5

The disciples fell flat on their faces in terror. Only as Jesus touched and reassured them did they lift up their eyes and discover he alone was now with them. Unless God approaches us, we will never be able to face up to him. He is too awesome, too clean and holy, too majestic and powerful and glorious for us to endure his presence. This is why he tenderly approaches us through his Son. No one comes to the Father except by him. He is the way, the truth and the life.

17.8 And when they lifted up their eyes, the saw no one, but Jesus only.