Matthew 17:1-9?English Standard Version (ESV)
Image by Drew from Zhrodague
The Transfiguration
17?And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2?And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3?And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4?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.? 5?He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ?This is my beloved Son,[a] with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.? 6?When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7?But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ?Rise, and have no fear.? 8?And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
9?And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, ?Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.?
We find here the new Kingdom already breaking in. Jesus was transformed right before their very eyes, his face shining like the sun, his garments becoming like the brightest light ever to glint off the purest white snow.
Notice this new Kingdom is immediately relational as, all of a sudden, Peter, James and John saw Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus. The first instinct of the three of them, still operating under the viewpoint of the world's kingdom, was to build three tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. But their plans were immediately interrupted by the still-echoing voice from what God said through Moses during His final sermon on the mountainside, a voice heard now again during Jesus baptism, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to him."
This new Kingdom doesn't need tents. This new Kingdom doesn't need people who seek fame, comfort or riches. This new Kingdom operates off of servant-minded sacrifice of one's very life.
For reflection...
As we enter into this second week of Lent, it is good and proper for us to enter seeking God's forever reverberating voice. We enter the week, like Peter, James and John, interrupted from our tent-making efforts to hear the voice of the Lord. What is God saying to you this week as you pause for a moment to listen?
When you hear this voice, what fears cause you to fall to the ground?
Imagine Jesus coming alongside of you and touching you in your fear. What does He say to you?
