And [Jesus] was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. (Matthew 17.2)
Repeatedly through the Gospels we find the Triune God interacting within Himself. At Jesus’ baptism we hear God the Father speaking over His Son as the Spirit descends on Him like a dove. Once again at Christ’s transfiguration we see God’s triune glory, the radiance of Jesus brilliantly shining in the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit enveloping all those present like cloud (just as the Spirit did at the dedication of the Temple). Again we hear Father speaking His Divine pleasure with the Son.
Like the disciples all that Divinity can produce in us terror at seeing God in His eternal glory; and this beautiful moment is intentionally shared with humanity. Like Moses on the mountain top, like Elijah swept up on a chariot of fire into a heavenward whirlwind, the disciples are invited into an audiovisual expression of God’s greatness. Jesus is transfigured, while still in among His people, into His heavenly glory. And Jesus invites us to see Him this way too, not only on an Israeli mountainside with the prophets and priests of old, but in our own daily lives. In our space and time we can choose to recognize Jesus as our everlasting Prophet, Priest and King.
Jesus the transfigured reaches down to our huddled mass, places His hands on us and tells us to rise, to stand fearlessly before Him like Moses and Elijah. Enveloped in the Spirit and directed by the voice of the Father we see with our own eyes the loving Savior, Jesus the transfigured, Jesus the Son of God.
Jesus, thank you for loving me and inviting me to see you in Your Triune glory. May I worship you more fully, more correctly, more passionately.