The “Transfiguration” story, recorded in Matthew 17, tells how three of Jesus’ disciples were privileged to see and better understand the awesome transforming power and glory of Jesus Christ. “… Jesus took with him Peter, James and John …, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” (Matthew 17:1-2).
Jesus’ inner, divine nature, previously veiled, was now disclosed so that the three disciples caught an awesome glimpse of his glory. What they saw was the power-filled glory of God radiating from Jesus. And what they heard was a voice from the cloud saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5).
Years later, Peter remembers this experience with Jesus and writes about in his second letter (1:16-18). Peter remembers it as “the sacred mountain” because he believed it was here that Jesus’ authority, power and majesty as the Son of God was confirmed.
Peter believed that it was in this moment, that Jesus fully committed himself to walk the painful journey down the mountain to Jerusalem, the cross and the grave, where he would victoriously bind Satan’s power and authority forever.
In verse 9, we read that as Jesus and the disciples are coming down the mountain, Jesus tells them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Why would Jesus tell them not to talk about what they had just seen and heard?
Jesus knew the disciples could not understand nor appreciate the magnitude of what they just witnessed, nor could anyone else, until after he completed the work of redemption through his suffering, death, and resurrection from the tomb as the risen, living Christ. Only then could his glory be seen and understood by mankind. Only then could Christian truths about God and his amazing love, be deeply appreciated.
Three days after his crucifixion and death, Jesus arose from the tomb as the majestic conqueror over all evil and death, to lead the redeemed (set free) men and women of every race and creed on a royal pathway to heaven, where he, Jesus, is forever seated as “King of Kings and Lord or lords.”
The Hebrew writer calls us to behold and worship the risen Son; “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (Hebrews 1:3).
Whenever Jesus talked about his pending death, the disciples were troubled and confused in there thinking. But after his resurrection and their seeing him alive, the meaning and purpose of his death became much more understandable to them.
This new understanding emboldened Peter, when standing before the Sanhedrin, to declare “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).
It also emboldened Paul to declare that Christ “…is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Col. 1:15-17).
I sincerely believe with Paul that nothing exists outside of Christ’s awesome creative power, and that his almighty, all-loving, redeeming presence touches every part of God’s infinite and ever-expanding universe. “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Even though the awesome glory of Jesus Christ remains beyond our full understanding, he still shines on us, not only on mountaintops of extraordinary experiences, but most often in our daily routines of living.
In many and various un-dramatic ways, his glorious “healing rays of righteousness” shines upon us to restore and enliven us toward joy-filled living each day. For without him we cannot and will not survive. “In him all things hold together.” Blessed be his name!
“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 14, 2019
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
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