The Transfiguration of Jesus
To Peter, James and John going up the mountain to pray with Jesus resulting in the transfiguration of Jesus, is a kaleidoscope; snapshots of past, present and future images, flowing before their eyes. Their strong exposure to God begins quietly, prayerfully; it is their journey of faith upward on the mountainous journey toward highest faith, love, and communion. Images implode their human minds; reflection will be needed to assimilate the experience. Seeing their rabbi, teacher, human friend, Jesus luminous; radiating light from within, shining so brightly, engage their senses. There is no haze, no dust mites to distort the image-only clear, crisp unbelievably bright light. It is true- human and divine natures intersect within Jesus.
The Apostles are exhilarated, joyful, and fearful of the magnificent vision. It is an Abraham moment of faith. The experience rises with love from their very depth, their heart and souls as they “see,” witness, Jesus in new light. They stop in their tracks, fall to their knees as God’s glory, the Source of light, permeate their bodies. Truth and love merge. Reality is changed before their eyes.
The image of the first Adam before the fall is called from their memory. First man, Adam, his light, the bright clothing over his body, is now Jesus, the new Adam. The Apostles look forward to the powerful light of their bodies after earthly death as they rise upward in praise of the Father.
Moses and Elijah are with Jesus; they are the Law and the Messianic prophet of the Old Testament. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Jesus as Savior- His authority, His mission, is heard by the Apostles. This is the Son of Man going forth in His glory to His Passion, Death and Resurrection. The true Messiah has come to earth and His mission will end in glory- glory given by the Father to His Son. The cross and the glory are intertwined by Christ’s love for man; the Messiah triumphs over sin, evil and death and Jesus is given the light of glory by God, His Father.
God speaks to the Apostles who will witness, give testimony to Jesus as Son of God with God’s authority and God’s words. God acknowledges His Son by His “sign” of luminous light. Listen, He commands; listen to His words of truth and life. Listen to His love for all men; listen to His obedience to the Father. Listen man, have your heart transformed- become the man I created you to be when I created Adam; become your full potential. Listen to the command Jesus gives- Love the Lord; love one another. (Matt22:36-40)
Is it any wonder Peter wanted to build tents here on the mountain where Jesus is transfigured into light? Let us remember this true Festival of Tabernacles; let us honor the Exodus whereby God leads His people out of the Egypt of their sin. Tents of material could never hold Jesus’ supernatural light; only man’s heart could receive the light of love and then pour love out for others; love returning to Love ten-fold- the true sacrifice for man’s sin.
How can we receive the vision of Christ’s Transfiguration? How can we overcome the “clouding of the image of God” in today’s world? We can only look inside ourselves, desire and beg Him for His mercy and love to see the true light which Jesus brings to us.
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