Matthew 17:1-8 Transfiguration

Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, "Get up, and do not be afraid."  And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone. [Matthew 17:1‭-‬8 NASB]

 We are told in Hebrews 1, "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they." [Hebrews 1:1‭-‬4 NASB]

On the mount of transfiguration, the disciples saw a glimpse of His radiance and power. In essence, Jesus momentarily dropped His facade, and appeared in His natural state.

God made it clear that there was to be a transition in the way He spoke to the world. In the past, he spoke through the prophets, but from now on, he would speak through His Son. He said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" There is no greater authority.

The transfiguration also gives us a glimpse of what we, ourselves, can expect in the resurrection. Paul teaches, "But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?”..."There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another."..."So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body." [1 Corinthians 15:35-44 NASB]

That speaks to our eternal state, but in the here and now, our spirits are already being transfigured. The Greek word is metamorphoo, and is translated as either transfigure or transform. Paul uses the term when he says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." [Romans 12:2 NASB] And again, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." [2 Corinthians 3:18 NASB]

It's like being in a dark room with a single bright light. If you stay away from the light, you remain in the shadows. But if you approach the light, your image becomes more clear. As you get closer to the light you begin to shine by the light reflecting off of you.

So it is with the Lord. I am speaking to those who are saved. If you only pray when you have a need, or if you get so busy with your day that you just "can't find the time" to spend quality time with the Lord, then you remain in the shadows of the world.

But if you will draw close to Him, then you will be transformed. Renew your mind, that is, devote your thoughts to Him. Turn your mind on Jesus, and leave it there throughout the day. Spend quality time with Him. If you don't have time in the day, then lose an hour of sleep to make the time. Your spirit is worth much more than an hour of sleep.

The analogy of stepping close to the light is incomplete. Yes, we reflect the light of Jesus. But more than that, we become transfigured to be like Him.

Draw close to God and receive His glory.