We read about Transfiguration of Jesus Christ in the New Testament as an event that occurred where in Jesus Transfigured (Transformed) and became radiant in Glory, upon a mountain top. This event is written in the Gospels of Matthew 9, 28-36, Mark 9 2-8, and also Luke 9, 28-36. They recount this occasion. In this event Jesus and three of His Apostles namely Peter, James and John, go up to the Mountain top nearby where they were preaching. Now this mountain is known as Mount of TRANSFIGURATION. On this Mountain top Jesus began to shine with brightness due to rays of Light and there appeared Moses and Prophet Elijah, who speak to them. At this time Peter remarked to Jesus that it is good for us to be here, If You wish, I will put up three tents, one for You, one for Moses and one to Elijah. While he was speaking a voice from the cloud said “This is My Son, whom I Love, with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him”. When the disciples heard this they fell face down to the ground. Terrified, Jesus saw them, touched them and said get up, they saw only Jesus. This event is marked in the Gospel of Luke. It gives all those who worship Jesus a glimpse of the coming future glory of Christ on Easter. Matthew remarks it as it is understood to have been the revelation of the eternal Glory of the second person of the Holy Trinity. The Transfiguration is a preview of the future when the Son of Man will come in Glory to consummate His Kingdom. But this Kingdom will come through His death and resurrection. Though the disciples did not understand fully the meaning of Transfiguration, that Jesus Transformed Himself with Glory, reveals that on death and resurrection He will attain full glory. During Transfiguration His face and clothes became dazzlingly bright, His face shone like the sun and His clothes as white as the light.Let us understand the Biblical meaning of Transfiguration. Several aspects of this event demonstrate that Christ is the Messiah and GOD.1. GOD is Light, The bright shining face of Jesus like the sun and whiteness of His garments reveal that Jesus is GOD. 2. The Father bears witness from heaven regarding His Son saying this is my beloved Son, this indicates Divine Glory in Jesus Nature. 3. The Transfiguration proclaims Christ’s Divine Son-ship and fore shadows His future Glory.4. Moses represents the Law, and all those who died before Christ’s incarnation. Elijah represents the Prophets, and since he did not experience death, all those who are alive in Christ. Their presence reveals that the Law and the prophets, the living and the dead all bear witness to Jesus as the Messiah, the fulfillment of the Old Testament. 5. The Holy Trinity is manifest with Christ transfigured, the Father speaking from heaven and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dazzling light surrounding Christ, overshadowing the whole mountain. The point of the Transfiguration was to reinforce the staggering faith of the apostles. It was Jesus message that He is going to die and that is exactly what Transfiguration is all about.
Rosarito Coelho Ward 8