TRANSFIGURATION

The Transfiguration of Christ

“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.” Mark 9:2-4 (NKJV)

The Transfiguration of Christ is the high point of His public ministry. His Baptism is its starting point, and His Ascension its end. Moreover, this glorious event has been related in detail by Matthew (17:1-6), Mark (9:1-8), and Luke (9:28-36), while Peter (2 Peter 1:16-18) and John (1:14), two of the privileged witnesses, hint at it.

About a week after His sojourn in Cæsarea Philippi, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them to a high mountain apart, where He was transfigured before their ravished eyes. Matthew and Mark explain the true meaning of the word by adding "his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow," or "as light," according to the Greek text.

This dazzling brightness which shone from His whole Body was produced by an interior shining of His Divinity. False Judaism had rejected the Messiah, and now true Judaism, represented by Moses and Elijah, the Law and the Prophets, recognized and worshipped Him, while for the second time God the Father proclaimed Him His only-begotten and well-loved Son. By this glorious manifestation the Divine Master, who had just foretold His Passion to the Apostles (Matthew 16:21), and who spoke with Moses and Elijah of the trials which awaited Him at Jerusalem (Luke 9:30-31), strengthened Jesus for His death, and the faith of his three friends and prepared them for the terrible struggle of which they were to be witnesses in Gethsemane, by giving them a foretaste of the glory and heavenly delights to which we attain by suffering.

"Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying:
"You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." Rev 5:8-10

O God, You revealed to chosen witnesses Your dearly loved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the confusion of this world, may by faith see King Jesus in His beauty; Father, Son, Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. [from an old prayer]

Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. . . . And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" Luke 9:28-35

Peter, James, and John, seem to be the inner circle of those closest to Jesus. These three men were eyewitnesses of the Divine Glory of this One who was the Son of Man. This confirmed the Messiahship of Christ which Peter had declared. Mark tells us: .As they looked on, a change came over Jesus, and His clothes became shining white -- whiter than anyone in the world could wash them.. This is symbolic of the supernatural, and of the Divinity of Jesus the Christ. (We also have a share in this as well, see 1 John 3:1-2. “For we shall see Him as He is.” 2 Peter 1:4 “Partakers of the divine nature.”)

"Finally, the Holy Trinity is manifest here, for Christ is transfigured (Matt. 17:2), the Father speaks from heaven testifying to Jesus' divine Sonship (Matt. 17:5), and the Spirit is present in the form of the dazzling light surrounding Christ's Person, overshadowing the whole mountain." Walerstedt

"For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 2 Peter 1:16-17

Compare: “But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.” Mark 14:61-64

Blessed are You, mighty God of light,
for Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus stood Transfigured on the mountain,
and none comprehends His majesty,
Whose splendor stuns all waking souls.
Your light transcends the brightness of a thousand suns!
For Jesus is the Chosen One,
Your beloved Son called by name,
the living hope of every nation.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world.
Lamb of God, take away my sin.
Grant me life eternal!
For these and all Your mercies, I praise You:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever!
[from an old prayer]

PS: “Antichrist” is anyone who does not confess that the Son of God became Man [flesh & blood] while remaining God. 1 John 4:1-4.