Lenten Series
Week 4 | Sunday, March 10th
Matthew 17:1-9
1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
There is so much we can say about the occasion when Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John. They were overwhelmed by the glory of heaven…Jesus’ face shining like the sun, his radiant gleaming garments made brighter than any launderer could ever make, the audible voice booming from the bright cloud that overshadowed them. They could not stand but fell on their faces to the ground, undone by this display of glory. They didn’t want this moment to end, Peter said it was good to be there and wanted to build tabernacles for Moses, Elijah and Jesus. Years later he would write, “We saw His glory.” II Peter 1:16. It was a seminal moment in all of their lives.
The theme of the the glory of God is presented in Exodus 34. Moses ascended Mount Sinai for forty days and nights into the very presence of God where he received the Ten Commandments. As he came down “he did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him.” Apparently because Moses was in the very presence of God, the majesty and glory of God caused the face of Moses to shine. He had to place a veil over his face so the people would not be afraid or see the glory fading.
Paul picked up on this same theme in II Corinthians 3. He compares the fading glory of Moses’ face to the surpassing glory that comes from the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Paul tells us something that is stunning. We can be transformed (this is the same Greek word as transfigured) from one level of glory to the next as we behold the glory of the Lord. “But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” II Corinthians 3:18. Full. Stop.
Do you hear what the Bible promises? When we take the time to behold the Lord in His glory something will happen in our spirits. It is as if while we are looking intently into His image in a mirror we are transformed into that same image, increasing from one level of glory to the next.
Our part is to behold Him, He then does His part, by His Spirit He transforms us. During Lent we put a great emphasis on the things from which we refrain, like fasting from social media or some food or drink. But I suggest that in these next few weeks we intentionally carve out time each day to add something to our lives— beholding the Lord in His glory. I would love to brainstorm with you how we can do this, but for starters here are a few suggestions. Fill the extra time you have (since you aren’t on social media!) with:
The theme of the the glory of God is presented in Exodus 34. Moses ascended Mount Sinai for forty days and nights into the very presence of God where he received the Ten Commandments. As he came down “he did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him.” Apparently because Moses was in the very presence of God, the majesty and glory of God caused the face of Moses to shine. He had to place a veil over his face so the people would not be afraid or see the glory fading.
Paul picked up on this same theme in II Corinthians 3. He compares the fading glory of Moses’ face to the surpassing glory that comes from the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Paul tells us something that is stunning. We can be transformed (this is the same Greek word as transfigured) from one level of glory to the next as we behold the glory of the Lord. “But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” II Corinthians 3:18. Full. Stop.
Do you hear what the Bible promises? When we take the time to behold the Lord in His glory something will happen in our spirits. It is as if while we are looking intently into His image in a mirror we are transformed into that same image, increasing from one level of glory to the next.
Our part is to behold Him, He then does His part, by His Spirit He transforms us. During Lent we put a great emphasis on the things from which we refrain, like fasting from social media or some food or drink. But I suggest that in these next few weeks we intentionally carve out time each day to add something to our lives— beholding the Lord in His glory. I would love to brainstorm with you how we can do this, but for starters here are a few suggestions. Fill the extra time you have (since you aren’t on social media!) with:
- Singing to the Lord songs of praise and thanks by yourself and with others.
- Soaking in Revelation 1 where Jesus is revealed in His glory.
- Praying as if you are in a two-way conversation. Wait and see what the Lord says to you.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for teaching us about the transfiguration of Christ. We also thank you that you promise we, too, can be transformed from one-level-to-the-next as we behold the glory of the Lord Jesus. Show us how to grow deeper in our love for Him and how to live out of that relationship in all areas of our lives. Show us how to behold Your glory.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
We thank you for teaching us about the transfiguration of Christ. We also thank you that you promise we, too, can be transformed from one-level-to-the-next as we behold the glory of the Lord Jesus. Show us how to grow deeper in our love for Him and how to live out of that relationship in all areas of our lives. Show us how to behold Your glory.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen