The Glory of Christ Revealed

Matthew 17:1-13

The transfiguration of Jesus is such an amazing account. It gives us details of heaven and corrects our way of thinking all at the same time. It fulfills Jesus’ promise of the previous chapter that “… there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” All of this, in thirteen, short verses.

The first miraculous part of today’s reading is the transfiguration itself. Verse 2 tells us Jesus’ “face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light.” Charles Spurgeon commented that the greater miracle wasn’t the showing of Jesus’ glory but the hiding of it during his earthly ministry. We tend to gloss over the glory of God. It is so magnificent that we don’t have a frame of reference for it. It is hard to understand unless we experience it. The best description the disciples had was the pure, white, light from the sun. Where I live, right now is a winter wonderland of sorts. Snow covers everything in glistening white. Far more than summer, winter requires sunglasses. When the sun shines bright, like it is as I write this devotion, it reflects off the snow and creates a blinding effect. No one can stare directly at the sun without it effecting their vision, nor can we help but squint when that glory is reflected. So great is the power of the light, that it illuminates planets and debris billions of light years away. In fact, scientists tell us that there is no end to the distance light can travel. The glory of God is unmeasurable, yet we depict it in art as a small glowing orb called a halo. Our minds greatly underestimate the power, majesty, and glory of our Savior. Today’s reading reminds us that Jesus is more than a man. He is the Son of God. His glory shines so brightly that humanity dare not look directly at it. For our sake, Jesus clothed that glory in the cloak of mankind’s fragility, but we must never forget the power he truly holds.

The next amazing revelation today’s reading gives us is the mention of Moses and Elijah. People have argued and speculated about what happens to us after we die. Will we remember who we are now? Will we know and recognize those we love? Today’s passage answers those questions. Charles Spurgeon commented on this aspect as well when he said the encounter shows us, “Saints long departed still alive; live in their personality; are known by their names; and enjoy near access to Christ.” What an amazing revelation and a hope-filled promise.

The last great message from today’s reading comes from Peter’s ignorance. When he sees Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah, he offers to make three identical booths (temporary shelters) for them. As he is speaking, God himself interrupts him to remind Peter and declare with finite authority that Jesus is not on level ground with these two heroes of the faith. Jesus is higher. God declared, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” (verse 5) There can be no mistake: Jesus was not a prophet. He was not a man. He is the Son of God. His glory shines more brilliantly than the purest of light from the brightest star. Let us listen to him with the authority due the risen Son of the Living God.

(Written by Keegan Harkins.)