Transfigured for transformation

Mt.17:1-2, ‘’Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; ² and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.’’

Jesus had twelve disciples but only three of them got the blessedness to witness this great event. We all know that Peter, James and John were in the inner circle of Christ. They were the ones who could witness Him raising the dead, when all other disciples and multitude were outdoors. These three were the ones whom Christ took further while in the garden of Gethsemane before the crucifixion. Did God love them more than others ? But our God does not show partiality. He is a just God. The Bible does not specify any particular reason behind this, but let us ponder upon  certain observations.

In the Old Testament, we see that King David had many soldiers and captains who took care of the army and who lead the great host. But yet, three of them were special to King David (2 Samuel 23: 8- 12). When these three mighty men were introduced as mighty men, their accomplishments were attached to their names, which shows the reason that caused them to be called ‘mighty’. On the other hand, their faithfulness to the purpose for which they were called was what that made them accomplish such great achievements. Adino, who lifted up the spear against 800 , whom he slew at one time. Eleazer, who smote the Philistines until his hand was weary. And Shammah, who stood in the midst of the ground of lentils and defended it while all others left. When the scriptures noted their names to be remembered, it also recorded their  faithfulness to their calling to be a warrior.

Similarly, when Jesus drew Peter, James and John into unique experiences, He had certain unique purposes to be revealed through these lives, which would not be possible without such experiences. Every experience in the Lord is aimed at building us to be equipped for the divine purpose for our lives. Such moments can never be erased from our hearts.

Peter was a passionate person. Yet, he was a wavering person too. He confessed that Jesus is the Son of God (Mt.16:16-17). But in the next verses, we see Peter speaking about not desiring Christ to be crucified and to be seen resurrected. Though, the ignorance made him say that, we see Jesus rebuking the Satan speaking through Peter’s mouth. At times, we are controlled by the devil, even though we have realized that Jesus is our Lord. But the unique experiences in the Lord hooks us to Him, not allowing us to be carried away by the darkness always looming around us. Later we see Peter being the 1^st apostle who addressed the 1^st church of New Testament. Through his preaching, three thousand souls were added to the church. This was a unique blessing to the body of Christ. In his letter to the believers, he later expressed the assurance that gospel was not a cunningly devised fable story (2 Pt.1: 16-18). He presented himself as the eyewitness of His majesty. The transfigured Christ might always have hooked Peter’s heart to the Lord, even while he struggled with back sliding  and when he denied Him thrice. He had seen with his own eyes and heard with his own ears the voice from heaven. He could not deny his own experience. Today, when the circumstances and challenges of life questions the faith we proclaim, we might not have convincing answers, but certain experiences in Christ have been engraved in our hearts which assures us in the midst of stormy seas that the Lord we serve is the truth.  Let’s realise that our experiences in the Lord are to be passed on to the rest for His glory.

James, was the 1^st martyr in the New Testament after resurrection of Christ. Herod king killed him and tried to please the Jews. On one hand, the church was growing in numbers. Mighty miracles and wonders were being seen. On the other hand, the church was being persecuted. James was allowed to be killed . John the Baptist, was killed and just before that, he sent people to Jesus asking Him whether He was the person for whom the Israel waited or should they look for another ? (Mt.11:3). He might have expected Christ to deliver him from the persecution. But James’ faith did not waver. The fact that he too was an eye witness to the majesty of His Lord, surely might have enabled him to go through this phase joyfully. He had seen the glimpse of glory awaiting him across the valley of death. Whether it’s the mighty miracles and wonders or being killed for gospel sake, both needs divine presence and strength. Our Lord was faithful to show him the awaiting glory after death even much before he went through the valley of death.

Apostle John was the only apostle who died a natural death at old age. He too was cast into boiling oil to be killed but the Lord’s plans for his life was not yet over. He had to write the things that would happen at the end of the ages. 1 Jn.1: 1-3 verses depicts the great assurance about how he had seen, heard and handled the Word of life. The vision was here expressed for the assurance of all God’s children. John was the only disciple who had followed Christ till the cross. The love he had for the Lord was extra ordinary. He was in the Spirit in the island of Patmos, when he was surrounded by wild animals and deadly silence. Here he was revealed the great revelations which are yet to happen.  The unique vision which he saw on the mount of transfiguration might have strengthened this apostle to do certain extraordinary things for the Lord.

The transfiguration of Christ had transfigured the inner persons of Peter, James and John for we see unique accomplishments through these three lives. They were displayed before the world as transfigured personalities. Note ‘’Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain’’.

• It was Jesus who took these three disciples and it was He who led them on a high mountain. Spiritual elevation is possible only through Christ. It is He who leads us to higher mountain of our calling.
• Higher mountains of spiritual experiences are for greater and deeper revelation, which is essential to display greater power and glory of God. Spiritual growth is followed by greater responsibilities in the vineyard of the body of Christ. Peter, James and John were like three pillars of the early New Testament Church.
• Peter, James and John were elevated, edified and encouraged to become faithful to the Lord till their last breath. Unique experiences in Christ plays a great role in one’s life to be faithful.

Jesus transfigured Himself into a glorious form for the transformation of Peter, James and John to higher spiritual levels. He also transfigured from a glorious form to a mere human form for the salvation of whole mankind. He left the glory of heaven and humbled Himself to be like one with no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant. Transfigurations are divine tools to bring forth transformations.

The knowledge about our Lord increases our comprehension about Him, but revelations are like bombs that explodes inside our hearts, transforming the entire scenario of our lives. Let’s pray that these days the Lord elevates us to higher levels of spiritual lives through deeper revelations about Him. Like Apostle Paul, let us pray that we are blessed with the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, so that our eyes of understanding is enlightened and we are able to know the exceeding great power towards us (Eph.1: 17-19).

God bless us all.

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