I recently was moved by the Spirit to take another look at the Transfiguration of Christ.
I noticed a few things that I hadn’t considered before. Some of them are mentioned here, others are mentioned in the accounts in Mark and Luke. I noticed that the disciples fell asleep. I wonder if they might have been included in the transfiguration had they remained awake and praying.
I also noticed that the disciples wanted to stay there, while Moses and Elijah were talking about Jesus getting ready to leave. It occurs to me that when we fall asleep instead of praying, we tend to “get it wrong”. Lord, help me to stay awake praying longer…whatever form that takes for me.
Peter mentions the transfiguration in 2 Peter 1 when he is talking about us participating in the divine presence, and how we are filled with God’s power. It’s interesting to me that Peter’s thoughts go to the transfiguration of Christ when talking about how we are supposed to live. In my imagination I see our spirit growing in understanding and faith, and as it does it begins to glow, then shine. Lord, I want my spirit to shine brightly.
How hard it must have been for Jesus to feel the radiant glory of God leave his body! How hard must it have been to walk back down that mountain, having been so close to home! I sense a little of his frustration as he encounters the disciples who can’t cast the demon out of a young boy. The words “you don’t have enough faith” scream off the page at me. It seems to me that Jesus is saying those who have faith will be able to act as God’s representatives, and will see God’s power revealed in healing and other ways. Lord, increase my faith!
I put behind me this morning the words of the devil, often given voice from doubting Christians who say “healing isn’t for everyone”. It certainly seems to me like God wants to heal illness and injury and cast out demons in order to add credibility to the ambassador with the message of salvation. Or simply to demonstrate that the message itself has power. The power of the risen Christ.
In one account of the transfiguration Jesus tells the disciples not to share what they saw until after his resurrection. They didn’t understand what that meant. Probably because they were sleeping instead of praying, and in so doing lacked faith. Anyway, Jesus tells them again here. I think they understand at least in part, because they are filled with grief. I doubt Moses and Elijah were filled with grief…they knew why Jesus was doing it, and that he would rise again.
The disciples had been given the same insights directly from Jesus, but they didn’t understand it. They were still too dull.
Here’s an interesting thought: I wonder if Jesus was directed to the mountain to be encouraged? Since his disciples weren’t up to the task, and encouragement is a vital part of the Christian faith, did God himself provide the encouragement? Jesus would have to be transfigured to speak with those who already reside in heaven. Maybe it was necessary for his well-being. Hmm.
God often tells us what the future holds, so we can prepare and be ready. If we aren’t listening, we’re foolish.
On the temple tax: Jesus is simply saying that he really doesn’t owe the tax, but he pays it anyway so they won’t be offended. As Christians I think this passage goes a long way in instructing us how to deal with rulers and those in authority. Let’s not do anything that might hinder or blemish our testimony. The message we carry is of eternal consequence, nothing is more important. If we diminish ourselves by being difficult when it isn’t really necessary, we will lose the opportunity to be heard when we share.
Loving Jesus,
PR