Matthew 17:1-13
1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Mt 17:1–13). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Jesus Christ went up the mountain and was transfigured. St Peter speaks up to make three tents for the great prophets. Jesus was overshadowed by a bright cloud. The voice of the cloud speaks, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." Repeatedly, Jesus has reminded the people to listen to the Law and prophets. But the voice from the cloud reminds the disciples to listen to Jesus. He is the one who was foretold.
Most of us enjoy the story of Jesus being transfigured. We generally think of transfiguring as people getting a face lift or some other plastic surgery. They have been changed for the better. While others think of only disfigurement, people in accidents of various kinds. But Jesus shows his disciples his glory. He shows them an image of God. We have lost the image of God.
God decided to make man in his own image. He desired to make him like himself. When Adam and Eve had Seth, he was born in Adam's image. They had lost the image of God. Thus, all of us born of Adam are born in his image and with his sin. We are born with original sin. Thus, our image is sinful and unclean.
Jesus Christ is God and Man. He is born without sin. He is born with the full Image of God. And for those who are washed in the blood of Christ, he has given them the image of God again. The Image of God is restored in those who believe in Jesus Christ. Through his death and resurrection, he gives them his glorious image. Just as Jesus is transfigured on the mountain, he transfigures all of us from sinful monsters into God's Holy Children.
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