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“When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus” (Matt 17:8)
A temptation we all face is to see Jesus as just one among many great men of history, like the heroes of a book I read recently titled, “Seven Men and the Secret of their Greatness” (Eric Metaxes). Although Jesus was a flesh-and-blood man, He was much more than a carpenter, healer, preacher and leader who died a martyr’s death in first century Palestine.
He is more than a good example, a good influence, a lawgiver, a role model and a great prophet who reveals the secret to greatness. Jesus, the only Son of God, is in a class of his own. He is now seated on his throne in heaven as the unrivalled King of glory. This is something we are apt to forget.
No rivals.
If you’ve been to a traditional church school or been brought up in a religious family, it’s easy to trivialize Jesus and imagine him as a character in a Sunday school picture book, sitting in a fishing boat with his friends, handing out favours to the sick and needy, smiling benignly at the Last supper. It’s equally easy to romanticize Jesus as a baby in a manger or a bloody martyr on a cross.
But Matthew’s account of the transfiguration (Matthew 17) and John’s vision of the glorified Son of man (Revelation 1) demolish any glib pictures of Jesus we may have in our heads. They paint a stunning full-blooded picture of the glorified Jesus that is beyond our imagination.
Transformation.
Can you imagine being James, John and Peter on the day that Jesus was transformed on the mountain? They had lived with Jesus for three years and knew him as a Galilean preacher and miracle worker, but then they caught a glimpse of Him as the glorified Son of God.
Christ’s face and clothes became so bright in appearance that He was difficult to look at: “There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” (Matt 17:2). The closest I’ve come to a shining face is someone who is badly sunburnt or has rubbed vaseline all over their skin! It’s nothing like Christ’s transformed body.
Then suddenly, as if a time machine rocketed 1400 and 900 years backwards, two Old testament heroes appeared and spoke with Jesus. Amazingly, Moses and Elijah were interested in hearing what the Son of God was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. Luke records that they spoke about Jesus’s ‘departure’ (exodus) “which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31).
Awkwardly, Peter offered to put up tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. I can relate to this silly thing that Peter did, as I’m prone to do similar things. Perhaps he was thinking to himself, “Please don’t let this moment of glory end! Let’s just forget this nasty idea of suffering, being rejected and crucified. Let’s rather build some cozy tents up here on the mountain, so we can live with this heavenly Jesus forever!” That’s just how I feel sometimes when I’m having a precious time with my family before we scatter in different directions. I long to pitch some tents and make the beautiful moment last forever!
Moreover, Peter had a totally wrong mental picture of Jesus. He wanted to elevate Jesus to the stature of the great lawgiver, Moses, and the greatest Old Testament prophet, Elijah. Perhaps he imagined Jesus as a freedom fighter, who would rescue his people from the oppressive Romans.
But Jesus embodied the 3-D reality of all that the law and prophets illustrated to the Jewish people. Moses and Elijah’s achievements could not compare to the real Lamb of God, who would soon lay down his life to give permanent access to His heavenly Father. Jesus fulfilled, satisfied and perfected every element of the Old covenant. Moses and Elijah were just pale shadows of Christ.
As if to put the record straight, the Father’s voice, which was part of a terrifying display of nature, boomed from heaven, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matt 17:5)
It’s no wonder that John and Peter were dumbstruck with fear. This was a theophany if ever there was one and they knew they had no right to stand before God. “They fell facedown to the ground, terrified.” (Matt 17:6). And Jesus responded to their reverent fear with reassurance, “Get up! Do not be afraid.” (Matt 17:7). There was both authority and kindness in his voice.
Then Matthew records one of the most poignant verses of the Bible: “When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.” (Matt 17:8) What a triumphant picture of Christ standing alone on the mountain– sola Christus!
The three disciples had just witnessed one of the rare and terrifying moments when Jesus revealed his divine glory as the God of all creation. Another occasion was at his arrest when He said, “I am.” The soldiers “drew back and fell to the ground” (John 18:6).
No one but Jesus.
Jesus permits no rivals. Everything we love about noble, brave heroes points to Him. He is the world’s one and only Saviour and King. Those who fall at his feet in surrender are those who have finally realised they are sinners and only Jesus is worthy. We, like the disciples, must look and listen to Jesus only.
Although the Creator of the world took on flesh and became one of us, the three disciples became “eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16). They glimpsed Christ as the King of glory and it aroused awestruck worship in them.
As if to prepare them for the suffering and humiliation to come, Christ reassured his disciples that He was the real Messiah. Spurgeon lays out the practical implication of this stunning revelation for believers in every age:
“Let us follow Jesus, and follow him with other men only so far as we perceive they follow Christ.”
The first and the last.
The mighty Son of God appeared a second time to John when he was a much older man. This time the resurrected Jesus revealed His glory to reassure John and all future believers of who He was, and is, and always will be. Once again, Christ touched the stunned disciple and reminded him not to be afraid. “I am the First and the Last.” John’s awesome vision is recorded for us in Revelation 1:12-18.
“I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
Do not be afraid.
The risen, glorified Christ is no insipid leader!
Christ’s white hair symbolizes His infinite wisdom and divine nature. He is God himself.
His feet of burnished bronze and blazing eyes remind us that he is the sacrifice on the altar and the ultimate Judge of all evil in the world. His roaring voice epitomizes a mighty warrior shouting a war cry against his enemies.
The sword in Jesus’s mouth demonstrates the power and force of his gospel message. And the golden sash around his chest identify Jesus is the High priest who goes into God’s presence to obtain forgiveness on behalf of those who repent and trust in Him.
No wonder John fell at his feet like a dead man! But again, Jesus told him not to be afraid.
Just as Jesus reassured his disciples, He still touches sinful, repentant people today, instructing us not to be afraid. After all, what is there to fear if the Son of God has forgiven us and is clutching the keys to death and judgment in his hand? Our only apt response is to worship and stay focussed on Christ, as John, Peter and James did. “They saw no one but Jesus.”
These glimpses of glory give us a preview of what is in store for those who trust in Christ alone. We have no need to fear anything in this life, including death. We will be raised to eternal life with Jesus and will see Him face-to-face. We will even resemble him, “shining like the sun in all its brilliance” (1 John 3:2). Who can imagine swopping these broken old bodies for new glorified ones?!
Jesus is far more wonderful than our heroes or ancestors that some venerate, who have no power over life, death or judgment. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, and He alone can calm our legitimate fears (Heb 13:8).
Unlike our experts, Christ needs no peer review, because He has no peers! His miracles, transfiguration, resurrection and ascension speak for themselves and prove Him credible and unique. We bow before Jesus today as Creator and Saviour–or we will bow before Him as our Judge in eternity.
Two glimpses of glory.
The transfiguration and John’s vision challenge our mental picture of Christ. Yes, the Son of God became a lowly man and died a shameful death. But if we dwell on his humanity, yet ignore or trivialize the Lord of glory, seated at the right hand of God, we are believing a delusion. We are robbing ourselves of the strength, courage, hope and peace we need to face trials and suffering in this world.
It’s because of John’s robust, 3-dimensional mental picture of Jesus, that he could reassure all future believers with these quietly confident words which are so apt in our times:
“You dear children, are from God and have overcome the spirit of the antichrist in the world, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Prayer
Father, thank you that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lord, to your glory. Forgive us for creating pathetic images of your Son and failing to see Him as the King who is reigning and ruling over all. We worship you, Lord Jesus, because you have disarmed every power and authority on the cross. Since we have been raised with you, we set our minds above, where you are seated in majesty and glory. Thank you that our lives are hidden with you and that when you come back, we shall also appear with you in glory. We can only imagine how awesome that day will be. In the meantime, keep us fearless, focussed and faithful. Amen.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”#ffffff” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”5%” padding_right=”5%” hundred_percent=”yes” equal_height_columns=”yes” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”yes” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”center center” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] 
[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding=”2%” margin_top=”2%” margin_bottom=”2%” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Receive our latest devotion in your Inbox[/fusion_title][fusion_code]Q2xpY2sgZWRpdCBidXR0b24gdG8gY2hhbmdlIHRoaXMgY29kZS4=[/fusion_code][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”#ffffff” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”5%” padding_right=”5%” hundred_percent=”yes” equal_height_columns=”yes” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Other devotions from the God Walk…[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_recent_posts layout=”default” hover_type=”none” columns=”3″ number_posts=”6″ offset=”” cat_slug=”devotion” exclude_cats=”” thumbnail=”yes” title=”yes” meta=”no” excerpt=”yes” excerpt_length=”0″ strip_html=”yes” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][/fusion_recent_posts][fusion_text]– more devotions –[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]