In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (John 1:1-5)
Our Gospel Lesson today conveys one of the most amazing stories in the New Testament. Jesus had spent his time bringing God’s message of forgiveness and reconciliation to the people. And even though he showed them many signs and wonders, many failed to recognize his true identity. But today, three of Jesus’ closest disciples, Peter, James and John were about to get undeniable proof of Jesus’ identity. They had followed Jesus to the top of a mountain. And while there, they were privileged to see and hear things that both terrified them and confirmed Jesus’ reason for coming. Let’s read about it: [Read Gospel Lesson together here]
I want us to consider four things from this mountaintop experience: The change, the company, the cloud and the command. First let’s talk about the change: When Peter, James and John arrived on the mountaintop with Jesus, He changed right in front of them. The word often used to describe what happened to Jesus is that He was ‘transfigured.’ The root of the word comes from the Latin and literally means a change in appearance. The Greek word that means the same thing is, ‘metamorphosis.’ This is what happens to a creepy, slimy worm as it rests in a cocoon and emerges as a lovely butterfly. Jesus’ transfiguration or metamorphosis before the disciples actually shows us His real appearance – His glory as the Son of God.
The brightness of Jesus’ appearance suggests the Shekinah of God’s presence. His clothes turned a dazzling white, whiter than anyone could humanly get them. Jesus’ appearance changed not because of something from the outside – but because of Who He was inside. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness…” (John 1:1, 4-5a) You see beloved, Jesus could change because He Himself is the light.
Next let’s talk a bit about the company. When Jesus changed into the radiant One, all of a sudden next to him stood Moses and Elijah. These two prominent Old Testament figures are usually seen as representatives of the law and the prophets. Moses was the lawgiver. He received the Ten Commandments directly from God and gave them to the people. He established the system of laws and regulations that the people were to live by. But these laws were not meant to save the people. They were meant to lead people to God. The second lesson today tells us: “To this day the same veil is still there when they read the Old Testament. It isn’t removed, because only Christ can remove it. Yet, even today, when they read the books of Moses, a veil covers their minds.”
The other company present with them was Elijah. He was an Old Testament prophet mighty in deed and word. God did amazing things through Elijah. In many ways, Elijah was the quintessential prophet – God even raised a young man from the dead through Elijah.
Both Moses and Elijah ended their stay on earth in ways that were quite out of the ordinary. Moses climbed Mount Nebo and after God showed him the land that the Israelites were to enter, Moses died. God Himself buried Moses. In fact, the Scriptures say, that to this day no one knows where God buried Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:1-6) And as we read in the Old Testament Lesson, Elijah was simply taken by God. “A chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.” (2 Kings 2:11)
Now the Law, exemplified by Moses, and the prophets, exemplified by Elijah, were not to be the final word from God. The transfiguration of Christ revealed his divine identity. And this revelation of Christ’s divine identity was God’s way of demonstrating that, as the long-awaited Messiah, Jesus would be the fulfillment of both the Law and all of the prophetic promises. Jesus was not just rehashed leftovers – some kind of divine reincarnation of Moses or Elijah. No, He came to become that divine Redeemer where all the currents of prophecy and law would flow.
Jesus told his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17) After his Resurrection Jesus told his followers: “…This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (Luke 24:44)
We’ve seen the change, and the company, and let me tell you that this was an awe-inspiring event for Peter, James and John. Peter, literally scared out of his wits, offered to build shelters so that they could stay on the mountain. It seemed like a really good idea. And then came the cloud. Clouds were symbolic of God’s presence in the Old Testament. In the exodus, time and again, God’s divine presence came in a cloud: on the holy mountain; at the tent of meeting; and now at the mount of transfiguration. “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” With these words from the cloud, the Father reaffirms Jesus’ role as Messiah, as Savior and as the Son of God.
Finally, the disciples received the command. Jesus tells them to return to the foot of the mountain. He commands them to keep what they’ve seen to themselves. You see, Jesus had to climb another hill – this time with a Cross on his back. If people know what the disciples have seen, they might not let Him finish the work of redemption. So Jesus commands them to wait until after the Resurrection before they speak of what they saw. And with the witness of the Cross and Resurrection, the realities of the transfiguration come into clearer focus: God, in the form of the Son, sacrifices Himself for the sinner.
What do the change, the company the cloud and the command mean? Before the events in today’s Gospel Lesson, Jesus had asked his closest disciples, “Who do the people say that I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Matthew 16:14) Their answer about Jesus’ identity revealed the confusion that those who don’t know the Savior live in.
But now, there is no question, no confusion. We know Who Jesus is today. You see, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” (Hebrews 1:1-3)
The season of Epiphany is for understanding this - for recognizing Jesus. And today, in the light of the Transfiguration, we understand the magnitude of the sacrifice on the Cross and why the grave couldn’t keep our Lord. Today - we see Jesus’ identity very clearly. Today - Transfiguration Sunday - Christ’s light shines with such brilliance that it cannot be denied. We’re assured that Jesus is superior to the law and the prophets. John the Apostle says: “We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:14b, 16-17) It is for me. It is for you, beloved. Amen.
