Theology Matters Conference 24, Day 2 - The Transfiguration of Christ
by John Peel
Patrick’s underlying conviction is that though, for the most part, we might have a clear understanding of the vital need for and means of salvation, we are, to our loss, less clear of its ultimate goal. This, he maintains, is the purpose of the Transfiguration. It is the most clear pre-resurrection picture of who Jesus truly is. By becoming man and in the flesh, paying the price of our salvation through his life and sacrificial death on the Cross, Jesus, now having ascended into heaven, is eternally God and man conjoined.
As such Jesus in the transfiguration reveals what we, in our resurrection bodies, will be like. Paul (1 Corinthians 15:51-55) says…
“Behold we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…(we) will be raised imperishable …for this body must put on the imperishable…and this mortal body must put on immortality”.
The word Greek word “transfigured” (Mt. 17:2; Mk 9:2) is μεταμορφοω (metamorphoō) and means to be radically, intrinsically changed/altered.
Paul uses another form of this word in Romans 12:2, where he says to us: “being transformed, by the renewal of your mind”.
In the transfiguration, Jesus’ intrinsic identity was uncovered and made known and it presented as an instant, intense brightness in which even his clothing shone bright. For us, it is much more of a process only brought to completion when we finally meet Him face to face.
Patrick reminded us that there are echoes of the transfiguration in Exodus 34 when Moses goes up the mountain to meet with God, and the Old Testament covenant is renewed. The effect on him was that his face shone, his faith was deepened, and his fears were dispelled. Likewise, in almost all of the post-transfiguration appearances of Jesus there was a transforming effect in the onlookers.
At the moment of Transfiguration, the disciples are seeing something in Jesus that had, hitherto, been veiled/hidden. As they watch and listen to him, he begins to transform. His face and even his clothing begin to outshine the sun with a dazzling brilliance. Moses, the giver of the Law and Elijah, the OT prophet, who were the only other men who had an encounter with God like this, appear on the scene clearly representing the fulfilment of the Old Testament Law and the Prophets and a voice out of the cloud that had descended on them announced; “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased; listen to him”. It’s significant that all this takes place just after the time when Jesus first told them of his upcoming death and resurrection with the exhortation, “have no fear”. (Mt. 16:21ff).
Clearly one of the purposes of the Transfiguration was, for the disciples then and for us now, to encourage perseverance whatever might imminently be happening in us and around us. Through this revelation, God the Father was saying, he’s going to suffer untold agonies, he’s going to die, but it’s ok, it’s all part of the plan, he’s my eternally begotten, dearly loved, and all-conquering Son, so listen to him, trust him.
However, the fundamental significance for us is, as stated above in 1 Cor 15:51ff, that God’s purpose for us is that one day, every true child of God will experience their own “transfiguration”. As Jesus, the immortal Son of God, put on flesh/humanity, so we will put on immortality, not simply in the sense of longevity but of spirit, heart, character and desire. We will become as much like him as is possible without actually being him.