02/12/2025
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS; AN APPROVAL OF HIS DIVINITY.
(Matthew 16:28; 17:1-9)
Jesus told His disciples that some of them were standing there who would not taste death until they
had seen the Son of man in His glory.
"Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see
the Son of man coming in his kingdom."(Matthew 16: 28). This however was fulfilled when John the beloved saw the great revelations documented in the book of Revelation, the last book of the
Bible. The disciples were to have an experience that was to further confirm the Divinity and
Sonship of Jesus as the Son of God.
1. Jesus took three of His disciples to a high mountain to witness a landmark indelible experience that was to shape their perception about Christ. " And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart,"(Matthew 17:1). Christ took these three disciples who formed His inner circle partly due to the various heavenly assignments they had to fulfill in their lifetime. Peter was to lead His team when He ascended to Heaven, and to die crucified upside down to glorify the Lord. James was to be the first martyr, while John was to receive the divine revelations of the end time commonly called eschatology and to serve as the human representative to relay the revelations as a document in the book of Revelation to the entire church and world. Revelations have significant roles they play in the life of believers. Far back in the Old Testament, God has used revelations to impress indelible truths on the minds of men. When He wanted to catch the attention of Moses, He revealed Himself to him through the burning bush." And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed."(Exodus 3:2) Revelations refreshes the spirits of saints and strengthen the faith of the wearing believers as they make progress on their pilgrimage to Heaven.
2. On the mountain Jesus was transfigured before them. There was a sudden change in His appearance in the native regalia of His glorious nature as the Son of God in Heaven. His face did shine as the sun, while His raiment was as the light. โAnd was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light."(Matthew 17:2). His shining face as the sun implies, He sees everything that goes on under Heaven. His raiment white as light shows clearly His absolute righteousness without any stain of sin.
3. In that glorious appearance of the Lord Jesus, Moses and Elijah appeared to talk with Him about the event at Jerusalem ahead of Him which was to bring salvation to all humanity. โAnd behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him."(Matthew 17:3)
4. Peter, in his usual characteristic of being outspoken said it was better they remained on the mountain top with three tabernacles, one for Jesus, one for Moses and the last for Elijah. "Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias."(Matthew 17:4). The implication of his statement was such that they should abandon the unfinished task and settle on the mountain. How then was Christ to fulfill the plan of redemption on the cross if He remained on the mountain? Revelations are met to strengthen our faith in the Lord, while we move on with vigour in the field of ministry to fulfill His will. We are not to rest on our oars relaxing in the ecstasy of what the Lord has shown while the field is still ripe unharvested. To whom much is given, much is required as well. Move in the strength of God's revelations and write your name on gold medals of heavenly trophies. Do something for God while your physical strength is still with you. Old age will soon set in.
5. While Peter was still speaking the voice of the Heavenly Father descended with a stamp and affirmation of Jesus Christ as His beloved Son and with a command that all must listen to Him.
โWhile he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him."(Matthew
17:5). The pronouncement of the Almighty God is final, and unquestionable. He is the God of all.
6. The disciples fell on their faces on hearing the heavenly voice asserting Christ Jesus as the beloved Son of God. "And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid."(Matthew 17:6). Jesus came closer to touch them to arise after the episode. โAnd Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid."(Matthew 17:7). They rose up to discover the heavenly guests with Jesus had disappeared, and gone back to Heaven where they came from, leaving Jesus alone. "And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only."(Matthew 17:8) They were able to recognize Moses and Elijah by their appearances as described to them by their fathers or teachers of the law even though they were not alive when the duo lived here on earth. Moses represented the law; Elijah represented the prophets. The era of law and prophets went away leaving Jesus Only the Pioneer of grace. Jesus Only, Jesus Ever, Jesus all in all. Saviour, Sanctifier, Baptizer with the Holy Ghost, and the coming King who will rule the world.
7. Jesus charged them not to reveal that revelation because He was not yet dead and resurrected.
"And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no
man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead."(Matthew 17:9). When the Lord shows us private revelations, we are not to sound the alarm on the mountain top except under divine
instructions to do so. We must grow spiritually to be able to manage divine revelations.
