A GLIMPSE OF GLORY

Six days following Jesus’ revelation to His disciples of His pending death, He led Peter, James, and John up a high mountain where He was “transfigured” before them (Matthew 17:1). Perhaps it was to assure them—in light of His predicted sufferings—as to His true identity and therefore encourage them in their faith. Whatever the reason, it was a privileged viewing for only three disciples.

He was transfigured before them (Matthew 17:2). The Greek word, metamorphoo, is related to our English metamorphis and means to “change into another form.” The result of this was that “His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light” (Matthew 17:3). They were privileged to see what others were not—Christ transfigured before them. His face shone with a light unrivaled on planet earth. His garments were made whiter than white.

Moses and Elijah, representing both the Law and prophets, appeared and talked with Jesus (Matthew 17:3). A bright cloud overshadowed them all. A voice declared: “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5). What are we to make of this occurrence?

Jesus’ appearance on planet earth was exceptional in that the full revelation of His visible glory was not openly manifested. His preincarnate state was that of sharing in the glory of the Father “from before the world was” (John 17:5). In His incarnation He took “the form of a bond-servant, and (was) made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7). He divulged Himself of His glorious array. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords put aside His robe and dressed down for the occasion (Cf. 2 Corinthians 8:9; Isaiah 53:2).

The mystery of Christ’s incarnation is especially so in His humility. To hear of suffering and death on one day, and to behold Jesus in glorious array on another was quite the dichotomy of experience for the disciples. And the dichotomy remains difficult to comprehend. “He left His Father’s throne above, so free, so infinite His grace! Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race; Amazing Love! How can it Be, That Thou, My God, shouldst die for me!”

The experience stuck with Peter. He wrote about it years later: “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). They were eyewitnesses of His majesty! They saw Jesus in all of His glorious splendor on that day. Peter remembered what he had seen years later. It was a foretaste of what we will all experience when “the day dawns and the morning star arises in (our hearts)” (2 Peter 1:19).

John experienced a similar encounter with Jesus on the island of Patmos. He saw Jesus. “His face was like the sun shining in its strength” (Revelation 1:16). When he saw him, he “fell at His feet like a dead man” (Revelation 1:17; Cf. Matthew 17:6).

Only Peter, James, and John were privileged to behold Jesus at the Mount of Transfiguration on that day. But there will come a day when every believer will “see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2), “when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). “And we shall behold Him, We shall behold Him, Face to face in all of His glory!”

Pastor Jerry