A GLIMPSE OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST

The mystery of the incarnation was when the glorious God stripped Himself of His majesty and glory to enter into history. He became a man in Jesus Christ, and the heavenly King, and glorious One appeared humble to His creatures (Philippians 2:7). At Mount Herman, three of His disciples experienced a glimpse of the glory of Christ. And this experience was unique compared to His words and deeds.

The One who appeared just as a man gives them a preview of His glory but also shows them that He has always been majestic and glorious. Possibly at mount Hermon, Christ revealed a glimpse of His glory to His disciples. This supernatural phenomenon was to strengthen His disciples faith for His upcoming sufferings and to show them the future glory stored up for them and God’s people. So let’s look at a heavenly wonder from the pages of scripture.

The Visible Display 

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. Matthew 17:1-2 ESV

During prayer and communion with His Father, the Son of God was transformed and His divine glory manifested in visible brightness. His appearance was glorious in that his face shone as bright as the sun. The brightness of the light from his face was blinding. Prior to this event, at mount Sinai, Moses radiant face was prominent to the people but it was a shadow of the glorious face of Christ (Exodus 34: 39-35). 

Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. Acts 9:3 ESV 

After  Christ’s ascension the Apostle Paul experienced the full force of this glory on the Damascus road. He was blinded by a light from heaven, Paul was humbled to the ground. Christ glory was revealed to terminate Saul’s relentless persecution of the church. In His abounding grace, Jesus commissioned him to be one of His Apostles. Decades later Christ appeared in glory to the Apostle John in the midst of intense persecution of the early church. John who was one of the disciples that experienced the transfiguration had a vision of the ascended glorious Christ. He saw the Son of Man in His heavenly majestic fashion. He saw His face shinning like the sun in full strength (Revelation 1:16b). Remarkably, the transfiguration at mount Hermon was a foretaste of Christ future glory. The second change was that His clothes became light. The mystery of this was that His body was the same but His clothes were pure light. “In viewing the transfigured clothes of Jesus, the disciples saw the purity of whiteness. Nothing was absorbed or reflected. The source of light that radiated from Jesus garments was not external.

"The sun in the sky did not produce the effect. The light source was Christ Himself” ( R C Sproul, The Glory of Christ, page 115-116). 

In the midst of the supernatural transformation of Jesus, two historical symbolic figures appeared. They were not random but emblematic of the glory and work of Christ.

The Two Visitors 

And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17:3-4 ESV 

These two visitors from the Old Testament had a supernatural departure from earth. Moses was the law giver and instituted the sacrificial system that has many types and shadows of Christ. Moses was mysteriously taken and his body was not found (Deuteronomy 34:6, Jude 1:9). Elijah represents the Old Covenant Prophets, he was eminent and defender of God’s law. He was the pattern of the last of the Old Testament Prophets in John the Baptist (Malachi 5:4-6). Elijah’s exit from this life was spectacular as he was miraculously taken to heaven in chariots and never tasted death (2 Kings 2:11). At the mountain, they appeared in the glory state of past saints in heaven. “Saints long departed still live, live in their personality are known by their names and enjoy near access to Christ” C H Spurgeon. 

With supernatural insight the disciples knew who they were. “Lord it is good that we are here”. Peter was astounded by the glorious sight as he prefers to stay in such euphoric state rather than return to the reality of life. The truth is, this was a picture and assurance of what’s to come. Moses finally made it to the promised land that he was prevented to enter ( Deuteronomy 32:51-52).

He appeared to see all the types and shadows that he instituted which were about to be fulfilled in Christ. This was a peculiar moment in redemptive history, for Moses, Elijah and our Lord Jesus to be in one place. All three of them lived in an entirely different times but here they were on a mountain having a meeting. They spoke with Jesus about his impending death on the cross (Luke 9:31). Jesus was about to atoned for the sin of His people. Moses and Elijah made it to heaven because Jesus was going to and had died for their sins so it was a serious and wondrous matter to discuss (Romans 3:23-26).

The Voice from Heaven

He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Matthew 17:5 ESV 

Peter’s conversation was interrupted by God the Father. “A bright cloud overshadowed them”. The glorious experience intensified and at this stage it reached its peak. The bright cloud speaks of divine presence. It’s the Shekinah glory that led the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 13:20-22). It also dwelt continuously in the most holy place in the temple (1 Kings 8:10-11).

From this overwhelming scene a voice from heaven spoke. The Father spoke of His delight for His Son. The Father was pleased with the glory His Son has brought to Him on earth and the glory that He was about to bring Him through His sufferings and death. As He spoke, God gave a crucial command “ Listen to him”. At the mount, God clearly confirmed to the Apostles that Jesus is the fulfilment of the law and the Prophets. A new dawn has opened in the New Covenant through Christ. The law came through Moses but grace and truth through Jesus.

When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. Matthew 17:6

The presence of God is always terrifying because of the overwhelming nature of it. Like Paul at the Damascus road and John at Patmos their response were a humble worship (Acts 9:4, Revelation 1:17). Finally, at the holy mountain Peter wanted to stay in that state to enjoy the experience but God said to them “listen to my Son”. The very Peter who missed the point of the transfiguration, was also through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said this.

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning stars rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19 ESV 

He referenced the transfiguration from verses 16 to 18 in his second epistle and he strongly command the church to focus on Christ. The Apostle Peter grasp that Christ has fulfilled the law and the prophets and has secured every spiritual blessings in the heavenly places for His people ( Ephesians 1:3). His bride, the Church has the complete canon of scripture for life and godliness. Therefore, we are to listen to Jesus through his Word than to chase experiences. When we behold the glory of Christ with the help of His Spirit, we’ll be able to withstand the sufferings of this world as we hope for a glorious future.