Pointed to Glory

Matthew 17:1-3 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John, the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
 
THIS is “the Transfiguration”. Matthew described Jesus’ complete change from human form into his glorious Heavenly form, displaying extraordinary, intense light like the sun. For an undetermined time Jesus showed to Peter, James and John what people would see when the Son of Man comes on the clouds and when they meet Jesus in Heaven. (John would see a similar vision he records in Revelation.) This is a very literal picture of the New Heaven and earth all believers will enjoy one day. It’s good to have such a picture of our eternal home, isn’t it?
   The word “transfigured” means that Jesus changed without giving up what is in him. In other words, as Jesus came to earth, he put aside the brilliant light of his glory. This means he became fully human to live and work among us. But Jesus kept his glory within him. For a brief time that day, he permitted the three disciples to experience his glory as he put his humanity aside. This is similar to God showing his glory to Moses on Mt. Sinai as described in Exodus. Moses needed to learn more of God, and the disciples did, too. God revealed to his chosen leaders the remarkable view of his holiness. Joshua, Samuel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Elijah and Elisha are some others to whom God displayed his glory in various forms. Each was called for Kingdom transfiguring work among God’s people. They were key leaders to advance God’s salvation toward eternity.
   The future is always more certain when we know what it will look like. Truly it is good to know our ultimate destination as the King’s true disciples.
   And further, have you ever considered Christ’s glory dwells within you? When you confess Jesus as Lord of your life, the Holy Spirit lives within you. Faithfully following Jesus, we become as Moses and Elijah, fully transfigured into Heaven’s glory, eternally keeping the Spirit of Life. The Apostle Paul said it this way about our bodies’ recreation: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:43-45) Jesus is now completely in glory. As his own, you will faithfully be in glory, too.