Can you explain Jesus' transfiguration?
Introduction. Jesus' transfiguration is recorded in Matthew 17: 1-8 and Mark 9: 2-10. The transfiguration of Jesus is one of the recorded events in Jesus' life which manifestly declares Jesus' singular greatness.
The facts of the transfiguration. Jesus took Peter, James and John up into a high mountain (Matt. 17:1). Jesus' transfiguration (change) is described as, "...His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light" (vs. 2). Mark adds that the shine of Jesus' clothing was unequaled (9:3). Moses and Elias appeared, talking with Jesus (Matt. 17: 3). Peter, when seeing all that took place, wanted to make on the site three tabernacles or places of worship. "One for Thee (Jesus, dm), and one for Moses, and one for Elias," Peter explained (vs. 4). Mark adds, "For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid" (vs. 6). At this point, a voice was heard out of the cloud which had overshadowed them. The voice exclaimed, "...This is my beloved Son, in whom I as well pleased; hear ye Him" (Matt. 17: 5).
Lessons from the transfiguration. One lesson which stands out is that man's thinking and God's thinking are often different (cf. Isa. 55: 8, 9). Peter's suggestion to build three tabernacles was not good (Matt. 17: 4, 5). Another obvious lesson is the majesty and grandeur of Jesus. Two men could not have been found who were more spiritually representative than Moses the great law giver and Elias, the head of the prophets. Notwithstanding, the voice declared regarding Jesus, "...hear ye Him." Paul wrote of Jesus that Christians are in Jesus' kingdom, Jesus is the firstborn of every creature, and He is the Creator (Col. 1: 13, 15, 16). Jesus is the head of the church, and has all authority in heaven and earth (Col. 1: 18; Matt. 28: 18). We are complete in Jesus (Col. 2: 10).
Conclusion. It behooves us today to hear Jesus and Jesus only (2 John 9-11).
The facts of the transfiguration. Jesus took Peter, James and John up into a high mountain (Matt. 17:1). Jesus' transfiguration (change) is described as, "...His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light" (vs. 2). Mark adds that the shine of Jesus' clothing was unequaled (9:3). Moses and Elias appeared, talking with Jesus (Matt. 17: 3). Peter, when seeing all that took place, wanted to make on the site three tabernacles or places of worship. "One for Thee (Jesus, dm), and one for Moses, and one for Elias," Peter explained (vs. 4). Mark adds, "For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid" (vs. 6). At this point, a voice was heard out of the cloud which had overshadowed them. The voice exclaimed, "...This is my beloved Son, in whom I as well pleased; hear ye Him" (Matt. 17: 5).
Lessons from the transfiguration. One lesson which stands out is that man's thinking and God's thinking are often different (cf. Isa. 55: 8, 9). Peter's suggestion to build three tabernacles was not good (Matt. 17: 4, 5). Another obvious lesson is the majesty and grandeur of Jesus. Two men could not have been found who were more spiritually representative than Moses the great law giver and Elias, the head of the prophets. Notwithstanding, the voice declared regarding Jesus, "...hear ye Him." Paul wrote of Jesus that Christians are in Jesus' kingdom, Jesus is the firstborn of every creature, and He is the Creator (Col. 1: 13, 15, 16). Jesus is the head of the church, and has all authority in heaven and earth (Col. 1: 18; Matt. 28: 18). We are complete in Jesus (Col. 2: 10).
Conclusion. It behooves us today to hear Jesus and Jesus only (2 John 9-11).