Something of great significance took place on the mount of transfiguration. Many times we brush past this passage without realizing it was a turning point in the life of Jesus and in the course of His ministry. Up to this point the disciples had seen glimpses of His glory. They had seen miracles, they had heard His teaching and they were close to getting it. In just the chapter before, Peter had confessed that Jesus was the “Messiah, the Son of the living God,” but then had fallen into rebuking Him for talking about His impending death. Each time you think that they understand, then they would do or say something that lets you know… “yeah, they aren’t completely there.” Then comes Matthew 17.
You know the story, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on the mountain and He was “transfigured” before them. He literally shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as light. The veil of flesh was temporarily peeled back and the three disciples saw the glory within. Then, Moses and Elijah appear and they begin talking with Jesus. This is where it gets interesting because Peter comes up and (like only Peter can do) he has a plan for making things “better.” “Let me set up three shelters… one for you, one for Elijah and one for Moses.” (17:4) I have often thought that this was just Peter putting his foot in his mouth but I have come to realize that it was something more. Peter was putting Jesus on the same level with these other heroic prophets of days gone by. Then, a voice thunders from heaven and says, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” (17:5) I believe it is at this point that Peter really gets it. Jesus is not equal to those old testament Saints, He is their Lord. He is more than a prophet, He is God in the flesh. As important as Moses and Elijah were (are), Jesus is the one Peter needed to listen to; the one Peter needed to worship and he fell facedown and was terrified. Things change after this, there is a different tone in the book; Jesus commands more authority, the disciples are more reverent and in awe. Jesus is still Jesus; doing His ministry and fulfilling His father’s will, but that glimpse of His glory changed those guys on the mountain (and others who followed) in a deeply profound way.
When did you really get it? At what point did Jesus become more than just a bible character, a Sunday school story, a good man with good teaching? When did you really understand who He is in all of His glory and it forced you face down, into a relationship where you live like He is the loving master and God of the universe and you are the slave that exists only to serve Him? Some people hear about Him all their lives but they never see beneath the veil. That’s what it means to truly be Christian; He stops being a faraway character you read about and becomes an intimate, personal Lord who influences and permeates every decision, every thought and every area of your life.
