Seeing The Glory Of Jesus: The Transfiguration Part 1

With our natural eyes we don't see the glory of Jesus Christ. 
Our minds just don't get it most of the time.
At least, not yet.

We picture Jesus in his humanity - flesh and blood, teaching, eating, suffering and dying. Even his miracles were done by someone who looked a lot like, well, us. This is the beautiful doctrine of the Incarnation. God with us. The eternal Son of God took on flesh. He was numbered with us, the transgressors (Is 53:12).

But Jesus spoke of his existence prior to becoming a Man. Yes, that's right, Jesus existed before he was born! And he tells us that in his existence before becoming a Man, he shared the very glory of God!

And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. John 17:5, ESV

Incredible! Jesus knows from where he has come and where he is about to return. He knows who he is; he shares the glory of God with the Father, "implying that there was mutual giving of honor in the interpersonal relationships of the Trinity from all eternity" (ESV Study Bible notes). So Jesus shares the glory of God.

But when Jesus took on flesh he veiled this glory. It was there, but it was hidden to the eye of man. The truth was not as it appeared. God in the flesh walked the streets of Jerusalem...and many didn't give him a second glance.

But some saw it; by God's revelation to them, they beheld "his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father (John 1:14). In fact, there was one day when three of Jesus' disciples saw his glory in a unique and unforgettable way.

Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain to pray. As usual, they slept while he prayed (Luke 9:32; Oh, the patience and mercy of God towards his weak children!). While they slept, "the appearance of his face was altered," and "shone like the sun, and his clothing became white as light," "...dazzling white,"...intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them" (Luke 9:29; Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:3). What a prayer meeting! Jesus was speaking to his Father, who briefly and partially removed the veil, allowing Jesus' glory to shine!

The author of the ESV Study Bible notes wonders if perhaps Jesus was praying that the three men with him would see his glory. If so, this prayer was answered. They woke up to quite a surprise (you would think that this would teach them not to sleep through prayer meetings, but alas - it happened again in the garden). They saw the glory of God shining from Jesus!

There were other times during Jesus' life and ministry when God revealed to people who he was...but not like this! Even the thief on the cross looked at the bleeding Man next to him and saw a King - while the other thief saw only someone to insult and ridicule. All who saw his miracles saw glimpses of his glory: when he healed blind men, walked on water, raised Lazarus from the tomb, multiplied the bread and fish, and put a man's severed ear back on his head! But what Peter, James and John saw on the mountain top was a special and glorious display.

And yet, Jesus wants this experience to be repeated, and for all of his followers! In John 17 he prayed, first for his apostles, and then for all who would believe in him through their preaching (17:9, 20). This includes you, if you are a believer in Christ through his gospel! Jesus prayed for unity among his people (11), for protection from the evil one (15), for holy living and true doctrine (17). But he also made another beautiful request to the Father for all his church:

Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24

Hallelujah! The mount of transfiguration was a special revealing of Christ's glory to his three friends and apostles. But Jesus desires that ALL of his saints one day see his glory. He wants us to see how beautiful and powerful and strong and loving he truly is. He wants us to be satisfied solely in his glory!

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. Psalm 17:5

The Day is coming when we shall see him! What a glorious Day that will be! Until then, let us think lofty thoughts of Christ. Let us fix our eyes on him in faith, meditating on his glory and beauty and strength and wisdom and grace. The one who "upholds the universe by the word of his power" has made "purification for sins" at the cross (Hebrews 1:3) and he "always lives to make intercession" for us (Heb 7:25) after rising from the grave and ascending to the Father!

Peter never forgot that experience on the mountain. He went on to write:

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18

One day we too will be "with him," and will be "eyewitnesses of his majesty."
Praise the Lord!
Click HERE for Part Two!

Jesus Hides His Glory

In Matthew 17 we read of Jesus taking his 3 buddies, Peter, James and John, up a mountain. At the top, they are surprised to see Jesus' actual appearance change before their very eyes! "And his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light" (v2, ESV). Wow!! Have you ever looked up at the sun? It's so bright you have to look away. Imagine Peter, James and John having to hide their eyes from their Teacher because his face was shining like the sun! Amazing.

As they were coming down the mountain Jesus told them not to speak of this until after he is raised from the dead. So 3 of the disciples got a surprising glimpse of the glory of Jesus Christ. But for the other 9 disciples, and everyone else on the streets, they saw Jesus with the face of a normal man (meaning, they did not see bright rays of light coming from his skin!). Have you ever considered this? Jesus hid his glory.

Jesus has always been glorious. Before he was born on earth - before the earth was created! - Jesus existed with the Father and had glory (John 17:5). But there came a time in actual history and time when the eternally glorious Son of God "took on flesh" (Jn 1:17). Jesus was born as a baby. But he looked like a normal baby. Glory was not shining out of his little eyes. He cried. He needed his mother. And when he was an older boy, he looked like a normal boy. Instead of shining "white as light" his clothes got dirty. And when he became a man, he looked like a normal man. "He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53:2b). Jesus hid his glory.

If Jesus had not hidden his glory, they would not have crucified him (1 Corinthians 2:8). Certainly the Roman soldiers would have been too blind to drive nails in his feet and hands, if Jesus' skin was shining like the sun! And in this thought we see why Jesus hid his glory. Philippians tells us that, though Jesus had the very form of God, he "humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:6-8). Jesus hid his glory as an act of humility in order to go to the cross and die for our sins.

As he suffered on the cross, Jesus did not look glorious. His disciples had run away. He was covered in blood. He was hanging on a tree, a sign of being cursed by God (Deut 21:23; Gal 3:13). Rather than worshiping his glory, people were insulting him. The glory was hidden! They did not realize what beautiful thing was happening before their eyes; they did not know who they beheld! His glory was hidden. So they insulted him. Even the thieves, crucified to Jesus' right and left, insulted him. Until one of them caught a glimpse of the glory. Then he rebuked the other thief for insulting Jesus and asked Jesus to remember him when he entered his kingdom (Luke 23:42). Kingdom? Just what did this thief see? One thief looked at Jesus and saw someone to mock and ridicule. The other thief, looking at the same man, saw a King! One saw the glory and the other did not.

Jesus explained how some see his glory while others are left 'blind.' In Matthew 16 Jesus asked his disciples who people said that he was. They answered that some said he was John the Baptist, or Elijah, one of the prophets, etc. Jesus then asked them who they said he was. Ahhhh. A good question! It must be personal. Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt 16:16). Peter saw the glory (this was before he went on the mountain and actually, physically, saw Jesus' glory). To what did Jesus credit Peter's answer? He did NOT say, "Peter, you have better eyes than most people; eyes that see glory..." He did NOT say, "Peter, you are more discerning than the other guys. Good job." No, Jesus said, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven" (v17). Jesus announced that Peter was "blessed" to see the glory. He did not credit Peter, but God, who had revealed to Peter the true nature of Jesus' identity; his glory. Jesus' glory is hidden. But it can be revealed!

During Jesus' ministry, and as he died on the cross, his glory was hidden to many. But he rose from the dead in glory! And he reigns in glory! John the Apostle saw a glimpse of Jesus' glory and fell down as though dead (Revealtion 1:17). And Jesus is coming back in glory! He is coming on a white horse, fire in his eyes and crowns on his head! He is coming to rule and to reign, treading the winepress of the wrath of God! His robe is dipped in blood and his name is called King of Kings and Lord of Lords! (Revelation 19:11-17) The glory will be revealed! Every knee will bow to him. Every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. He is, and will forever be, glorious!!!

What about you? Who do you say that he is? Have YOU seen a glimpse of the glory? Or does he look like just another man? Someone whose name can be used as a curse word? Have you seen the glory? You will. But will it be too late?

May the Father be pleased to reveal to many the glory of his Son, Jesus, through the preached gospel.