"About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem. Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him. As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, 'Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' But even as he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them.Then a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.' When the voice finished, Jesus was there alone. They didn’t tell anyone at that time what they had seen." - Luke 9:28 - 36
Have you ever tried staring at the sun?
DON'T. You'll burn your retinas out.
But that's how overwhelmingly bright Christ's light - His Godly nature - was shining. brighter than the sun.
Christ’s transfiguration showed a sneak-peak of the glory in which He will come to judge the world. It showed a glimpse of Christ in all His glory and power and might that we will see when He returns.
But it also served as an encouragement to His disciples to suffer for Him because it showed them what laid ahead. Up to this point, they had only seen the sufferings and brokenness and sadness of this world, but now they’re seeing the splendor that lays ahead – a destination worth suffering for.
We've also got to recognize what this Transfiguration meant for Christ. For just a moment, Christ is transfigured – a roaring radiance pours form him. He becomes as He was in Heaven before He came. He is elevated above this flawed and sin-damaged world and He’s lifted up into the eternal - He is home again.
What these disciples saw up on the mountain blew their minds.
Moses and Elijah, aflame with eternal robes, stand beside their king. When Jesus was preparing himself in the desert for the work of His life, angels came to encourage Him. Now, on the mountain, preparing himself for the work of death, Moses and Elijah draw near to Him, encouraging Him.
And then, the voice thunders. God inhabits a cloud. And from the belly of the cloud, the Father speaks: “This is my beloved Son. Hear Him!”
For Peter, James, and John, this scene is bizarre: dazzling white clouds, a voice from the sky, Jesus’ face is shining, these dead guys are hanging out with him, just chatting... IT’S CRAZY! But for Jesus, this is just a view from home - a glimpse of what is to come.
At this point in the Gospel, Jesus is on a journey towards Jerusalem, to death, and beyond to resurrection. Jesus has already told the disciples in advance that this is happening, and the events that occurred on the mountaintop are showing us what is beyond at the end of that journey. It gives us a preview of Jesus' destination, as well as our own - we too will shine like the sun.
We hear a lot about "Fear of the Lord" and fearing God in scripture.
I always had a hard time understanding that concept. B
ecause when we hear the word, "fear", we usually think of something negative - a threat or impending punishment of some kind.
But that’s not what it means to fear God at all. When the Word tells us to fear the Lord, it doesn’t mean we should run and hide because God is going to punish us, but rather that we should be so overcome by His majesty and worth that we dread to offend Him or let Him down. It's the fear of being separated from our Father because we love Him SO MUCH. This kind of fear is always tied to love and reverence for God - it's just a higher form of love.
This fear makes us ready and anxious and excited to meet this God who we love and hold in awe face-to-face. It makes us want to be clothed in righteousness and get into His word and follow after Him.
And it destroys and spits on this idea of "Yeah, I'm a Christian - I go to church on sundays - that's enough." But when you are consumed by a holy fear of God, NO, that's not enough. You want to be in His presence all the time, you ache for His word, you want to share His message with others so that all the people around you can feel the same way – so they can feel this passionate love for our great God.
Then the disciples heard the voice of God booming from this cloud, they fell on their faces and were terrified. How long has it been since you've felt this kind of fear? Since a fresh understanding of Christ buckled your knees and knocked the wind out of you? Since a glimpse of Him left you speechless and breathless? Has it been a while since you've seen His overwhelming power and glory?
If it has been a while, it's not for lack of Him revealing it to you - It's just us not paying attention. We’re not looking for it. But God shows us His glory and majesty every single day. In His creation, in His kindness, in His unconditional love, even when we screw up, In His grace, in the sheer fact alone that He gave up His son for us.
So do you have this kind of fear? This higher love for the God of the universe? Because this holy fear of God can replace the other unhealthy, gnawing fears in your life. The fear of sharing your faith, the fear of stepping out, the fear of being bold for Jesus.
You can develop this fear. It’s not something you’re born with – it's something you strive to attain and grow your whole life. It starts with seeing God in all of His majesty and glory and seeing the power He has in your own life. God is waiting for you to step out and accept Him for who He is and then radically pursue after Him.
Because when you see Him - when you stare into this Bonfire of radiant light - the Holy One, the Highest One, the reigning God of the Universe - when you behold Him, all your fears, besides your Holy fear of Him will melt away in the brightness and warmth of His love - like a popsicle in the sun.
Have a great weekend, MSMers! We'll see you on Sunday!
