Jesus' Transfiguration

Jesus' Transfiguration: A Divine Revelation Revealing His Authority

Feb 11, 2024 – Transfiguration Sunday | Matthew 17:1-8

A Reflection on the Impact of His Transfiguration

Today, we gather to reflect upon a momentous event in the life of Jesus – the Transfiguration. This pivotal happening took place when Jesus, accompanied by three disciples, ascended a high mountain.

There, He revealed His divine nature, shining brilliantly through His human form. This occurrence holds profound significance as it unequivocally manifests Jesus' true identity as the Son of God. Let's read into the layers of meaning enshrouded in this pivotal event, highlighting its impact on Jesus' authority.

God’s Proclamation of Authority through His Revelation

An Affirmation of Humanity and Divinity

On that elevated terrain, Jesus not only affirmed His humanity but also revealed His divine essence. This revelation is crucial for comprehending the authority inherent in His teachings.

The voice of God the Father resounded, proclaiming, "This is my son whom I love, listen to Him." This declaration accentuates the paramount importance of honoring and obeying the teachings of Jesus.

Regrettably, our human tendency to rebel often leads to disobedience and disrespect towards Jesus' authority. In a manner akin to a defiant child disregarding a parent's instructions, we occasionally neglect or reject God's Word. Whether deeming it less essential than other aspects of our lives or expressing dissatisfaction when it contradicts our desires, such behavior reflects a disregard for Jesus' authority.

Jesus as the Embodiment of God's Word through the Transfiguration

The Transfiguration powerfully affirms that Jesus is the embodiment of God's Word. It conclusively establishes that Jesus is God's Word manifested in human flesh.

Consequently, we must not dismiss Jesus' words as mere human utterances but acknowledge them as the authoritative words of God. Whenever Jesus speaks, it is God speaking, given His role as the incarnation of God.

During the Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John accompanied Jesus to the mountain, experiencing the extraordinary event. Suddenly, Jesus underwent a remarkable transformation, emitting a radiant light while His clothing surpassed earthly levels of whiteness. This luminous glow emanated from within, revealing His divine nature as if His human form momentarily revealed His divine essence.

Matthew emphasizes that Jesus' brilliance extended beyond his clothing, radiating from His face like the sun. This vivid display unequivocally conveys that Jesus, whom we follow, is not a mere mortal but God in manifested in human flesh. The significance of this event is monumental, aiding us in comprehending the entirety of Jesus' identity, often overlooked amidst His undeniable humanity.

Jesus' Humanity and Divinity: Consequences of Denial

While Jesus' human existence is universally acknowledged, accepting His divinity remains a contentious issue. Many recognize Him as a historical figure performing remarkable deeds but hesitate to embrace His divine nature. This reluctance extends to acknowledging His words as possessing divine authority. Yet, rejecting Jesus' divinity carries far-reaching consequences, including a denial of His ability to save us from our sins.

Indeed, only if Jesus is both fully man and God can He be our Savior. No ordinary human life could suffice as a satisfactory sacrifice for all humanity. Only through the union of divine and human nature in one person can Jesus be the unique and irreplaceable savior of mankind.

This truth forms the foundation of peace sinners find with God – forgiveness not by a mere man but by God Himself. On that mountain, Jesus' physical revelation of divinity and God the Father's affirmation of His identity were pivotal moments.

Mark's Baptismal Revelation and Transfiguration's Prophetic Connection

Mark records another instance of the Father affirming Jesus' authority during his baptism, emphasizing the crucial message for Jesus' followers. These words inspire us to honor Jesus as our God and recognize the divine authority of His words in our lives – "Listen to Him." This directive echoes in our hearts, guiding us throughout our lives.

Peter, James, and John had an extraordinary experience during the Transfiguration, witnessing Moses and Elijah conversing with Jesus. Moses and Elijah held great biblical significance, extending beyond their roles as prophets.

Peter recognized their importance but missed a crucial connection – both Moses and Elijah had prophesied about a greater deliverer, instructing the people to listen to Him. This deliverer was Jesus, surpassing them in significance.

Jesus, as the Son of God, is the eternal Word speaking to his people throughout history. In Hebrews, Jesus is described as the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His nature. While Moses and Elijah were messengers of God, Jesus is God in human flesh. Looking at Jesus, we see God himself.

The Divine Authority of Jesus' Words: Proclaiming Forgiveness and Redemption

Jesus not only spoke with God's authority but also spoke authoritatively as God. Proclaiming Himself as the way, the truth, and the life, He emphasized that no one can come to the Father except through Him. Denying Jesus' divinity has profound consequences, including the rejection of His ability to save us from our sins.

Even today, God continues to speak through the voice of Jesus, conveyed through the testimony of His apostles in the Scriptures. Just as Peter, James, and John were commanded not to speak of what they witnessed until Jesus rose from the dead, we are called to listen to the words of Jesus as recorded in the Scriptures and proclaimed by faithful preachers.

Jesus prohibited sharing His miracles and identity to prevent Him from being known solely as a miracle worker and to fulfill His mission of redeeming us from our sins. Although the apostles were initially instructed to keep silent, Jesus later commissioned them to be witnesses globally. After His resurrection, they testified to the Transfiguration and His redemptive acts, empowered by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

Jesus' return to the Father did not leave us without a witness. The same authoritative voice that spoke through Moses, Elijah, and Jesus now speaks through the apostles' words in the Holy Bible. Listening to them is listening to Jesus. Rejecting them is rejecting Jesus and the one who sent him. The divine voice that spoke on the Mount of Transfiguration continues wherever and whenever the Word of Christ is proclaimed, preached, or taught.

Through this Word, the authoritative voice of God declares Jesus as our God and Savior, proclaiming the forgiveness of sins for His sake. This Word generates faith in our hearts, enabling us to see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Our Challenge to Listen to the Authoritative Word of God

The apostle Peter, in his Second Epistle, emphasized that the apostles were not spreading cleverly devised tales but were eyewitnesses of Jesus' majesty. They heard the voice from heaven declaring Jesus as the beloved Son of God. Peter affirmed the reliability of the prophetic Word, urging believers to pay attention to it as a guiding light in a dark world.

We must recognize that no prophecy of scripture is subject to personal interpretation. These prophecies were not human products but were spoken by men moved by the Holy Spirit. Jesus' Word, which is God's Word, is confirmed through the witness of the inspired apostles and the Holy Spirit.

We must question whether we genuinely listen to the authoritative Word of God. Ask yourself the following questions:

Are we allowing His Word to convict us of our sins, or are we making excuses? Do we acknowledge our need for a savior, or do we believe we can manage on our own? Are we following God's moral compass or the ways of the world?

Priorities and Sources of Knowledge: Worldly Engrossment and Biblical Neglect

It's noticeable how easily we get engrossed in worldly distractions while neglecting God's Word. We spend hours on entertainment but struggle to pay attention to sermons or read the Bible. That prompts us to reflect on the significance we place on different sources of information and entertainment.

Consider these insightful questions: Why is it easier for some to spread gossip than grasp the profound message of the gospel? Why do we readily believe newspapers but question the truths in the Bible? These challenges compel us to evaluate our priorities and the authority we give to various sources of knowledge.

Experience God's Love through Faithful Listening

Although we weren't physically present at the Transfiguration, we can still experience a transformative encounter with God by faithfully listening to Jesus' Word. Through the proclamation of His love and sacrifice on Mount Calvary, we witness the manifestation of God's love, replacing the fiery wrath of the law with the boundless compassion of our Heavenly Father.

As we reflect on the truths of the Transfiguration, remember the Father's words on that holy mountain: "This is my beloved Son, Listen to Him."

Through attentive listening to the authoritative Word of God, we can genuinely experience His love, forgiveness, and grace. Let's prioritize our relationship with God, allowing his Word to guide and inspire us. In the name of Jesus and through His glorious revelation, Amen.