Jesus' Transfiguration

Christ is the center of Christianity

The Encyclopedia Britannica Dictionary defines the “transfigured” as, “To change the outward form or appearance. To make glorious, idealize." 

Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated on 6 August annually.

Matthew 17:1-13

The Transfiguration

17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

4 Peter 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.”

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Moses represented the law of the Old Testament which bears his name and Elijah represented the prophets. Peter, James, and John, the inner circle of the apostles were the only witnesses of the Jesus' Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. They also were the apostles who witnessed the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead and were with Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane when he the betrayal by Judas. At the Transfiguration, God the Father pronounced the same words (Matthew 17:5) he proclaim during Jesus baptism, Matthew 3:17, "And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

We must remember Jesus was also 100% human on earth as he is 100% God in the Kingdom of Heaven, and that he had to struggle mightily against the pressures and temptations that were brought with force against him. Therefore, Jesus needed the encouragement and strength that came from this spectacular demonstration of God’s love and endorsement through his transfiguration. It also demonstrates Christ’s glory, superiority and majesty to Peter, James, and John. When Peter proposed to honor Moses, Elijah, and Christ, God immediately responded in such a way that it was clear that only Christ was divine and worthy of homage. As Peter later wrote in 2 Peter 1:16, "For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." Christ came to fulfill the old law and to take it out of the way for a new one as in Hebrews 8:13, "By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear."

The transfiguration has rich meaning for each of us today, where it enables us to feel the glory and majesty of the Lord. It also reminds us that we should not contemplate the greatness of God and Christ, as we will meet the Lord in all his glory during his second coming at the judgment day.

Therefore, let us be strengthened, inspired, and encouraged, go forth to live and work for the Lord. Always remember that if we belong to Christ, some day we too, will be transformed and heaven will be our eternal home.