THE SON OF MAN WAS TRANSFORMED IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS OWN.

Major events occurred in our beloved Lord’s life, while preparing His disciples for the transfiguration. Matthew 16 told how the heavenly Father revealed to Peter that ’Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ (v16). Besides, He showed that Peter would receive ’the keys of the kingdom of God ( so powerfully used on the day of Pentecost ) .

Additionally, ‘Jesus began to show His disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. (v21) Peter began rebuking His Lord, Who unforgettably censured him. ‘ Get behind me, satan. You are not mindful of the things of God, but of men.’ (23) Then our Lord forcefully challenged him, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.’ These truths stunned them; being unaware of amazing events to follow.

The Lord gave them six days to reflect on these great truths; then ‘He took Peter, James and John his brother, and brought them upon a high mountain by themselves.’ (17:1 ) The Lord Jesus very much needed the sweet fellowship of those, who were closest to Him in earthly ties. Yet, they struggled with their humanness.

The miraculous change followed when “HE was transfigured before them. The scripture told that “His face shone like the sun ( how blinding is our sun , warranting warnings never to look at an eclipse for risk of retinal scarring). His clothes became as white as the light.’ Did the seven colours that comprise white light flash through. Magnificent scene as heaven clothed our Lord with His eternal glory . Heaven’s angels looked on wonderingly, especially those who had visited the shepherds of Bethlehem, who had marvelled and worshipped the incarnate Babe. Shekinah glory enwrapped our dear Lord on this mountain.

The Ancient of days introduced two awesome characters of the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah, who appeared to them; talking with them.’ Note that these men, who had lived 1400 and 900 years before Christ were summoned from heaven to this mount. No one knew where Moses was buried, nor where Elijah was caught up into heaven. God commandeered their appearance. They were recognised not by physical features, but by spiritual character, which show eternal qualities.

Observe these two men representing the law of God and the prophets, speaking to our Lord. They came from heaven’s eternity to commune with the Lord of glory, Who had come from a heaven to earth in a body of flesh. Staggering scene! Presumably they conversed in Hebrew. The three men probably were overwhelmed hearing the holy conversation that followed. Scripture is silent.

Dr Luke tells of the earnest discussion, ’Moses and Elijah appeared in glory

( presumably their spiritual bodies glowed with heavenly wonder ) and they spoke of His decease He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.’ That theme drew them from heaven to the mount of transfiguration: exactly as their Lord had predicted in days preceding this visitation.

Peter foolishly interrupted the heavenly discourse, saying to Jesus, ‘ Lord, it is good for us to be here.’ As though our Lord would lead His disciples unwisely. ‘If you wish, let us make three booths ( bushes, with crumbling, perishable leaves ); one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ Did Peter downgrade the Lord of glory to the same rank as the great Law-give Moses and the mighty Prophet, Elijah? Earlier, he had recognised the Son of Man as the Christ, the Son of God. Inconsistent Peter! The booths, fading and disintegrating, were out of place for the Lord of glory?

Offer your Redeemer the noblest, enduring gift of your life. He alone is worthy.

God the Father, descended even while ‘Peter was still speaking.’ (v5) ‘Behold, ( give attention !) a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him.’ Was this the cloud which guided the children of Israel during those momentous forty years in the desert? Was this the Shekinah glory which filled the Holy of Holies, and Solomon‘s temple on its inauguration? Peter, James and John were immensely honoured for the Father to vocally substantiate His own Son.

The voice was heard later when Christ said, ’My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour. ’Father, glorify your name! Then a voice came from heaven, saying, ’I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.’ Understandably, the people standing by, ’Heard it and said that it thundered,’ Other commented that an angel had spoken to Him.’( John 12:28,29 ) The Father spoke in Hebrew on exceptional occasions.

‘My beloved Son , in whom I am well pleased’ is a precious tribute as the Father expressed His deep love for His only beloved. Isaiah recorded it in the 42^nd chapter, v 1, ’Behold! My Servant, whom I uphold; My elect One in whom my soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him. He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles‘.

Only Christ fulfilled the description of this Servant, chosen by the father, clothed with the Holy Spirit at His baptism, and the Dispenser of justice to the unbelievers.

Isaiah 53;10 also states, ‘The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.’

Paul beautifully expressed it, ‘To the praise of the glory of His grace; by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:6) As Christ was infinitely dear to the Father, so our Beloved has included us in that exquisite bond.

Our Lord unveiled some of the mysteries of heaven in the dramatic hours on mount transfiguration. He wants us to keenly anticipate the transfer from our earthly body to our eternal, heavenly home - in His perfect timing and direction. He prepared you for that majestic change when Jesus Christ became your beloved Saviour and Lord.