Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Matthew 17:1-2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
FROM MOUNTAIN UNTO MOUNTAIN THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHINES FORTH
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, Aaron and all the children of Israel saw him, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him (Exodus 34). So Moses covered his face in meeting with the people until the glory faded.
On the Mount of Transfiguration Jesus' face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light. But when Jesus went down that mountain afterward, the glory which had shone from His face and body did so no longer. That was because Jesus' glory, unlike Moses', was not a lingering reflection of being in the presence of God. His "shining glory" came from within. It was His own. And to carry out His mission and pay the price to bring us rebellious sinners back to God, the Son of God set aside the use of the glory, majesty, and power that was His. He humbled Himself to redeem you and me.
After Jesus came down from the mountain He told His disciples how He would be arrested, abused, handed over to the Gentiles and crucified-- how He would die and rise again. Jesus, having shown Himself to be very God on the mountain, sets out for Jerusalem to fulfill the purpose of His coming: To destroy the devil's work; to make us safe forever.
It is no accident that many churches turn to the Scripture accounts of Jesus' Transfiguration on the Sunday before Lent begins. On the mountain see we and remember that THE SAME LORD WHO REVEALED HIMSELF ON SINAI-- and again in the presence of Peter, James and John-- then sets out on His way up to Jerusalem. To the cross. And on the cross the glory of the LORD shines forth with indescribable power. Not megawatt power, but the eternal saving power of the redeeming love of God.
