Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Matthew 17:1-2 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun.
JESUS' SHINING FACE ASSURES US OF VICTORY
It was an experience they'd never forget. A sight for sore eyes -- and then some. The brothers James and John, and Simon Peter, were walking with Jesus towards the top of a mountain of Galilee. When they arrived at the summit, His facial appearance underwent a sudden, dramatic change. No longer did He look like the lowly Jesus they were accustomed to seeing as they walked together down the dusty roads of Palestine. His countenance (in fact, His entire body, clothes, hair) shone with the brilliance of the midday sun!
What was happening? The light that radiated from Jesus was not from an outward source (like when we're blinded by rays reflecting in the rear-view mirror from headlights of the car behind us). This was a glory that arose from within. This was the glory of the almighty, eternal, holy God. It was the same "visual effect" the Israelites witnessed when God descended upon Sinai to deliver the Ten Commandments. No wonder the disciples buried their faces in the dust. That is the normal reaction when sinners are confronted by the majesty of God.
But Jesus didn't let His heavenly glory to shine forth that day to frighten the disciples. He had loving reasons in mind. He wanted to prepare them for the traumatic events soon to transpire at Jerusalem. He wanted them to know beyond a doubt (when they witnessed His bloody crucifixion) that He truly was God's Son, sent from heaven to redeem them. He wanted them to know that beyond the suffering of the cross lay the glory of Easter. Yes, He would go as a sheep to the slaughter, He would lay down His life, as the Scriptures foretold. But He would take it up again after three days. In this way He would win the victory for them -- and all people -- over their great spiritual enemies: sin, death, and Satan.
That is the blessed assurance Jesus affords us, too, through the biblical account of His Transfiguration on the mountain.
My Jesus is my Splendor, My Sun, my Light, alone;
Were He not my Defender Before God's awe-full throne,
I never should find favor And mercy in His sight,
But be destroyed forever As darkness by the light.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 528:4)
