Transfiguration and Us

 Transfiguration and You

The Transfiguration and Us ( You)

This well -known event probably occured on Mount Hermon---- snowy and gigantic. Matthew, Mark and Luke all tell us of this event. Luke alone mentions the ascent for the reason to pray. His (Jesus')face shone as the sun (Matthew) & his garments were glittering ( Mark ) & white as the light ( Luke). Heavenly visitors were present, Moses and Elijah in the cloud that descended. A voice came out of the cloud saying," This is my beloved Son ( Jesus): hear Him." (Luke 9:35)

Luke does not use the word transfigured as do Matthew and Mark, but a different word heteros, meaning of a different kind. His face was altered. I think basically we all know about the Transfiguration in some way having heard a few messages on it in our Christian lives. I see an application to believers.

Christians too experience a change of face , an alteration of nature at conversion. In one sense that is their transfiguration. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ," if any man be in Christ , he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold , all things are new." Vs 21 says Christ was made to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righeousness of God in Him. The old phrase born twice, die once and born once, die twice applies here. We must be born from above, born again to have eternal life. There is a change of heart, and we are no longer " come into condemation; but ( is ) passed from death to life." Jn 5:24

The world needs this message and we need the encouragement to know we are now" the sons of God...when he shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." I Jn 3:2 " The world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not." I Jn 3:1 2 Corinthians 3 says that the vail has been taken away when someone turns to the Lord....we all, with" open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

 It is about growing closer to God to hear the voice on the mount of God being well pleased in our words, actions and thoughts. " For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish : To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life." 2 Cor 2:16

We have been " quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins" Eph 2 and " we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1 and today we must " work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." Philippians 2 Ours is the kingdom of heaven and we are among those who are blessed being poor in spirit. Mt 5

We speak the truth in love to those who are without God in this world. " The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all , apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowleding of the truth" 2 Timothy 2:25

Dr Lloyd Jones said it this way, " If people are unkind and cruel and spiteful, and if we are being persecuted,...we must say to ourselves, Ah, unhappy people; they are doing this because they do not know Him, and they do not understand me."

And further, " There is a sense in which we commit ourselves to God once and forever; there is another sense in which we have to do it every day...Here is a day which is going to bring me certain problems and difficulties; very well, I shall need God's grace to help me. I know God will make all grace to abound, He will be with me according to my need---' as thy days , so shall thy strength be.' " Lloyd Jones

We too wish to hear one day the voice out of the cloud, " This is my beloved ( Son) child of God." Luke 9 The The Christian life is a time where can commit or re-commit as needed ourselves to God through faith, and " fasting and extraordinary acts and exercises of devotion." 1928 Book of Common Prayer