Never Lose the Wonder

Scripture: There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17:2

Observation: In front of only Peter, James, and John, Jesus experiences the transfiguration. He meets and talks to Moses and Elijah. This one sentence - stating his face shone and his clothes were white - are the only descriptions of this transfiguration. From this, however, it seems clear that Jesus exuded light. The part of his skin that was exposed, his face, created its own super-bright light, and his clothes could not contain the brightness and became purely white.

That said, this seems to not be the only "change" ... emitting light would likely not be considered "transfigured" but rather just an energy. Instead, it seems Jesus fully changed. He took on a different appearance. He didn't just become bright, but he became a different being. It seems more likely that he became his created heavenly being. He is in the form of a man, but he was a different man, with different features, a new and heavenly body. Moses and Elijah are not like him - they are humans, for they were humans - but Jesus is something different in this moment.

This is consistent with other moments throughout the bible when Jesus appears in a form that is aligned to his status and state in heaven. In Revelation, John sees him repeatedly, and never calls him Jesus, but rather he is one like the son of man. He is again seeing the transfigured son of man ... the bright radiance, the human form but heavenly features, and the great power.

Application: The transfiguration is covered so briefly and with so little detail, that it seems the most important element is what gets discussed, the appearance of Moses and Elijah. However, it must truly be the revelation of Jesus' true form that was indescribable and amazing. That, after all, is the point ... Jesus is not just a man, but is a heavenly being as the son of God, with a persona that rules at God's right hand.

This is the heroic nature of my savior. He is a unique, heavenly being, who also humbled himself in human form, suffered voluntarily, and sacrificed for my iniquities. The wonder of the transfiguration isn't the appearance of others, but the revelation of Jesus' true self. Though I cannot imagine it, may I never lose that wonder.

Prayer: Lord, as I just said, may I never lose my wonder in you and your gift of salvation. You are Lord, savior, father, friend, and master, and while I seek a familial relationship with you, and know that too is a gift I cannot earn, for your greatness is beyond my imagination. I praise you this and every day. Amen.