Articles
The Transfiguration
Jesus' transfiguration is recorded in Matthew 17:1-8 and Mark 9:2-10. The transfiguration of Jesus is one of the recorded events of Jesus' life which manifestly declares Jesus' singular greatness.
The facts of the transfiguration. Jesus took Peter, James and John up into a high mountain (Matthew 17:1). Jesus' transfiguration (change) is described as, “...His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light” (v. 2). Mark adds that the shine of Jesus' clothing was unequaled (9:3). Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus (Matthew 17:3). Peter, when seeing all that took place, wanted to make three tabernacles or places of worship. “One for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”, Peter explained (v. 4). At this point, a voice was heard out of the cloud which had overshadowed them. The voice exclaimed, “...This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him” (Matthew 17:5).
The lessons gleaned from the transfiguration. One lesson which stands out is man's thinking and God's thinking are often very different (cf. Isaiah 55:8-9). Peter's suggestion to build three tabernacles was not good (Matthew 17:4, 5). Peter, as a man, was wrong on numerous occasions. The Papacy and infallibility of Peter is patently a false doctrine. Another obvious lesson is the majesty and grandeur of Jesus. Two men could not have been found who were more spiritually representative than Moses the great law giver and Elijah, the chief of prophets. Notwithstanding, the voice declared regarding Jesus, “Hear Him!” Paul wrote of Jesus that Christians are in Jesus' kingdom, Jesus is the firstborn of every creature, and He is the Creator (Colossians 1:13, 15, 16). Also, Jesus is the Head of the church, and has all authority in heaven and earth (Colossians 1:18; Matthew 28:18). Moreover, we are complete in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:10).
Dear reader, it behooves us today to hear Jesus and Jesus only (2 John 9-11). There is salvation in no other name (Acts 4:12). Men and their creeds dull in comparison to Jesus and His splendor!
