More Than a Teacher
One of the most impactful moments of Peter, James, and John’s time with Jesus during his earthly ministry, had to have been their witness of the transfiguration. I can’t even imagine what they felt, or even if they understood what was happening before them. Before their eyes, Jesus changed from the man they had walked miles with, eaten hundreds of meals with, and seen do miraculous things into his true nature: the very Son of God. Our reading tells us his clothing changed before their eyes. We are told “his garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them.” Back in the book of Matthew, we were told it was more than Jesus’ clothing that changed. Matthew 17:2 says, “And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light.”
If this vision of Jesus shining with magnificent radiance sounds familiar, that is because we read something very similar back in the account of Moses speaking to God as the Israelites traveled towards their promised land. Exodus 34:29 tells us that when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai, “Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.” Every time Moses was in the presence of the Lord, his face reflected the light of God and shone with the radiance of the Father. The difference between this account and what happened on the mountain before Peter, James, and John was that Jesus was not merely reflecting the light of God. He was the light.
What an awesome experience this must have been for these men. Many people have expressed their wonder at why Jesus chose Peter, James, and John. None of us know the mind of Christ, and he did not tell us why he chose whom he chose; however, I love the perspective of David Guzik. He wrote, “Most people assume that Jesus took these aside on this and other occasions because they were special favorites of the Lord. It could have been that they were the most likely to get into trouble, so he kept them close.” Honestly, this theory made me laugh. I know I can get into trouble on my own. As I was thinking about this truth, I thought of an area of weakness in my life. I have a rare autoimmune disease which is quite painful. I do take a combination of herbs and medications to help me be able to do simple things like walking and using my hands. Unfortunately, some days are beyond the help of those supports. The pain is deep in my bones and at the nerve endings. There is no topical ointment or massage technique that provides any relief. I refuse to take stronger medication because the side-effects are not worth the momentary comfort. Though often tempted to take over-the-counter pain killers or have a glass of wine, I find myself falling to prayer when those temptations come. Not that I believe those are bad things. I fear I will become too dependent on them and spiral out of control and out of God’s will. Too many addicts are born out of an injury or disease they cannot control.
I was thinking of my own situation in light of David Guzik’s comment, and it struck me so strongly how deeply we need Jesus. We need more than the man who taught the crowds. We need more than the miracle worker who amazed the throngs and became inundated with those seeking a spectacle. We need the deity who stood in front of three men and calmly had a conversation with Moses and Elijah. We need the one of whom God said, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” There is nothing innately strong about the human will to do what is right. Now, if we were talking about mankind’s will to benefit himself, that we are exceptionally good at, but faithfulness requires sacrifice which we are doomed to fail at from time to time. Why did Jesus choose these specific men to see his heavenly form? Maybe one day I will ask him, but I think the more important question belongs to the three men. What was it like to see the Son of God in all his glory? How did that change the rest of your life? I think, in those moments of doubt, they remembered that mountain. I think, when their faith was tested to its breaking point and temptation was pounding at their door, they remembered that voice.
You and I may not have stood on that mountain. We may not have seen the faces of Moses or Elijah or heard the voice of God coming down from Heaven, but we can read about it in God’s Word. We can believe it by faith and let it affect our choices in the here and now. If Peter, James, and John were chosen because they were the most likely to get into trouble, I am glad I am as stubbornly headstrong as Peter if it means Jesus will keep of constant watch on me. My greatest weakness leads to me being drawn in closer to the source of my greatest strength: God. In times when we are tempted or weak, let us cleave to our Savior. Let us submerse ourselves in Him and His Word so that we don’t get in the way of ourselves. Run to the Father and hide in His holiness when yours is under attack. He is so much more than a good man or faithful teacher. He is the Son of God, and he alone can save us from ourselves.
(Written by Keegan Harkins.)
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