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THE GLORY OF CHRIST (I)
THURSDAY, JUNE 26
Matthew 17:1-13

Revelation 1:10-18

 

“And was transfigured before them:

and his face did shine as the sun…”

 

THE GLORY OF CHRIST (I)
 
The transfiguration of Christ is one of the highlights of His life on earth. It is found in all the three synoptic Gospels immediately following the Lord’s prediction that some of His disciples “shall not taste death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” By “some of them” Jesus must have been thinking of His inner circle of disciples — Peter, James and John — for they were the only ones who had the privilege of previewing Jesus in His glory during the transfiguration. For a brief moment, on a high mountain (possibly Hermon), Jesus was reclothed with the shekinah glory which He as God Himself possessed, but had removed when He became man (Phil 2:6-7). The glory that emanated from Him is described as intense brightness, shining like the sun, extremely white as white can ever be, with sparkling brilliance.
 
Moses and Elijah visited Jesus at this time to prepare Him to face His coming death on the cross with courage. Why Moses and Elijah? The reason is that Moses represents the law, and Elijah the prophets. The Old Testament, comprising the law and the prophets, was what Jesus had come to fulfil (Matt 5:17; Luke 24:27, 44). That Jesus had by this time perfectly kept the Old Testament law and fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies is indicated by the Father’s commendation of the Son — “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” This same commendation was also given at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry — at His baptism. Now that His ministry was about to end, the Father again commended Him for a work well done. Jesus had obeyed the instructions of His Father in every detail without fail and without error. Just as the Son has obeyed the Father, so also should all Christians obey the Son — “hear ye him.” “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it” (John 2:5).
 
THOUGHT: “The Church is the principal theatre of His glory.” (Calvin)
PRAYER: “Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days. Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.”

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