There was a magician who was hired to do his act on a cruise ship. He had been there for several years and did the same act over and over because the crowd was continually changing. He enjoyed the good life, spending most of his time out on the deck working on his tan rather than new tricks. One day the Captain bought a parrot and the parrot came with him every night to see the magic show. The bird learned all the tricks as to where everything was hidden by the magician in his act. The Parrot would say, “The card is up his left sleeve, the flower is under the pot, he hid the money under his shoe…” Because the parrot caught on fast, it was getting harder by the day for the magician to come up with new tricks. The magician really disliked the parrot for giving away all of his tricks, but since he was the Captain’s, he couldn’t just weigh the bird down and throw him overboard. Late one night suddenly the engine room exploded and the ship sank within minutes. Miraculously, the magician found himself clinging to a log. He was the only one left alive. As the sun came up in the morning, he turned around and here at the end of the log was that parrot. They just glared at each other and said nothing. This went on for three days. On the fourth day the parrot finally broke the silence and asked, “OK, I give up--what did you do with the ship”
Mystery, trickery, we are all drawn to that aren’t we? This morning we are going to read of a mysterious event in the life of Jesus Christ, that wasn’t at all any form of trickery. We are going to look at some painted images of Jesus, experience His beauty and learn a little more of who this Man was, the Son of God, sent to earth to redeem mankind.
In rich and unparalled visions of Jesus Christ as God and as Man, artists have strived for nearly two millennium to create the perfect image of Jesus Christ. Nowhere was this attempt so strong as in Italy during the Renaissance period.
The word Renaissance is a French word meaning new birth, a name given to the movement in Europe that inspired men to abandon the restraints of the Middle Ages and to develop modern interests, enthusiasm and ideals. Its most noted feature was the Revival of Learning, an awakening of mind and a thirst after the new knowledge. This resulted in numerous investigations of natural events, in a widespread study of art, music and literature and in a broadening of outlook to a degree never before known.
Before the fifteenth century clergymen were the only educated class. They were accepted as authority on all subjects. But in the Renaissance men and women all over Europe began to think for themselves. Many came from the East into Western Europe, bringing literature, arts, and other treasures, after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. They greatly helped in developing the new thirst for knowledge and the appreciation of human interests.
Many well-known artists arose during this period, their works would never be surpassed – Raphael, Di Vinci, Michelangelo, Leonardo, and others including a man named Guido di Pietro who later took the name Giovanni upon entering the Dominican order to become a friar. In Florence during the first half of the fifteenth century, this much loved Tuscan painter devoted much of his time to painting wall murals based on the life and suffering of Jesus Christ.
Giovanni’s work was so beautifully executed that after his death he became known as Fra Angelico – the Angelic one. It is said that when he painted the crucifixion for the Convent of San Marcos in Florence, he openly wept. This was a man drawn to worship through his artistic talent.
Also during this period something phenomenal occurred. The first book ever be printed was mass produced. It was called the 42 line Bible, or the Gutenberg Bible. It was named after its printer and with few exceptions all of the Bibles printed had 42 lines of type. For the first time ever, common men and women would have access to the inspired Word of God, the Bible, the most published book in the world. We have many in our homes, but do we take time to read and study them?
Today our text comes from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 17 verses 1-8, but we could read the same account in the Gospels of Mark, Luke and a reference in 2nd Peter. We read of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. To me, this is the most beautiful image of Jesus Christ in all of the Gospel accounts.
"After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and 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 facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
The site most likely was on a mountain named Mt. Herman, about 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee in a region called Caesarea Philippi. Not to be confused with the city of Caesarea, built by Herod the great on the Mediterranean Sea. Others point to Mt. Tabor, elevation 2000 feet above sea level south of the Sea of Galilee, and just to the east of Nazareth. I believe this took place on Mt. Herman, 7000 feet higher than Mt. Tabor, because Jesus and His disciples were already in this region.
The word "transfigured" is a very interesting word. The Greek word is "metamorpho" and it means to transform, literally or figuratively to change. The word is a verb that means to change into another form. It also means to change the outside to match the inside. The prefix "meta" means to change and the "morphe" means form. In the case of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ it means to match the outside with the reality of the inside. To change the outward so that it matches the inward reality. Jesus' divine nature was "veiled" in human form and the transfiguration was a glimpse of that glory.
Symbolically, the appearance of Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets. But God’s voice from heaven – “Listen to Him!” - clearly showed that the Law and the Prophets must give way to Jesus. The One who is the new and living way is replacing the old – He is the fulfillment of the Law and the countless prophecies in the Old Testament. Also, in His glorified form they saw a preview of His coming glorification and enthronement as King of kings and Lord of lords.
The disciples never forgot what happened that day on the mountain and no doubt this was intended. John wrote in his gospel, “We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only” (John 1:14). Peter also wrote of it, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain”
(2 Peter 1:16-18).
Those who witnessed the transfiguration bore witness to it to the other disciples and to countless millions down through the centuries.
Chuck Swindoll writes in his book entitled “Jesus, The greatest Life Of All”; The Angels must have wondered what He was thinking. The plan for God to become man in the person of Jesus Christ had been ingenious. Only a human can represent humanity and bear the punishment they deserve, yet only God can overcome death. But to leave the responsibility of spreading the news in the hands of feeble, fickle humanity must have been baffling.
Evangelist Joe Aldrich begins his book “Life-style Evangelism” with an imaginative fable: "The Angel Gabriel approached Jesus and said, “Master, You must have suffered terribly for men and women down there.” “I did”, He said. “And”, continued Gabriel, “Do they know all about how You loved them and what You did for them?” “Oh no”, said Jesus, “Not yet. Right now only a handful of people in Palestine know.” Gabriel was perplexed. “Then what have You done”, he asked, “to let everyone know Your love for them?” Jesus said, “I’ve asked Peter, James and John, and a few more friends to tell other people about Me. Those who are told will in turn tell still other people about Me, and My story will spread to the farthest reaches of the globe. Ultimately, all of mankind will have heard about My life and what I have done.” Gabriel frowned and looked rather skeptical. He knew well what poor stuff men were made of. “Yes”, he said, “but what if Peter and James and John grow weary? What if the people who come after them forget? What if way down in the twentieth century, people just don’t tell others about You? Haven’t You made other plans? And Jesus answered, “I haven’t made any other plans. I’m counting on them.”
Let’s look at a couple of images. This one is called “The Worship Of Five Wounds.” The artist, Simon Bening was known as one of the greatest illuminators in all of Europe. The wounds of Christ suffered on the cross were considered to express the essence of His humanity. Notice the hands of Jesus and His feet, and the side wound shown here as a heart. A heart in the center, to me expressing Christ’s love for mankind. In the foreground witnesses are seen on their knees, engaged in prayer.
This image is known as “The Trinity” by an unknown French artist in the mid 1400’s. In the top half of the scenes and in the flanking spaces at the left and right are praying and rejoicing angels. In the center, a dove representing the Holy Spirit descends toward two seated figures representing God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son seated together on a bench. The figure of Christ is recognized holding a cross, while the figure of God appears more mature, in human likeness with grey hair and beard dressed in a royal robe. It is interesting to look at what God is holding, remembering this work was completed in the 1400’s. He is holding a globe of the world in His hands. Remember, people of the middle ages commonly believed the world was flat. Columbus would sail for America at the end of this century, in route, would he fall off the earth? Even better are the words of Isaiah, chapter 40 verse 22; “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth”, words written 500 years before the birth of Christ, roughly 2000 years before this painting. Holding a book raised in their hands in blessing, the two figures suggest that the Word of God is the way to eternal life.
Jesus said, “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” There is only one way to Heaven. And that is by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Amen
