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The Transfiguration of Christ.
[August 6.]
The Collect.
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O
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GOD, who on the mount didst reveal
to chosen witnesses thine only-begotten Son wonderfully transfigured, in
raiment white and glistering; Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from
the disquietude of this world, may be permitted to behold the King in his
beauty, who with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth,
one God, world without end. Amen.
And the Collect for the
superseded Sunday:
The Eighth Sunday after
Trinity.
The Collect.
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O
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GOD, whose never-failing providence
ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; We humbly beseech thee to put
away from us all hurtful things, and to give us those things which are
profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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A
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nd it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings,
he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and
his raiment was white and glistering. 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men,
What is the
Significance of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ?
I will begin by telling a story about a number of larva hatched
in the mud and stale water of a swamp. They lived the first days of their lives
by crawling about in the filth of the swamp and in trying to survive the
searching eyes of fish, frogs, and turtles. It was a most miserable life, but
it was all that these larvae had ever known, so that had little with which to
make comparison. They tried to stay close together with brother and sister as
they matured into more mature larvae. (there are three stages in the life cycle
of the Dragon fly - egg, larva, and adult.) Once the larva has grown,
some of the stronger ones will begin to climb up a reed and disappear from the
waters of the swamp forever. The others who remain and witness
their family member depart are at a loss to explain the absence of their
brother or sister. They assume that they have died and will never be seen
again; however, once above the water line, the departed member begins to shed
his old attire and take on a totally different appearance. He spreads his wings
and loses all of his prior nature as a water-born creature. He is now a Dragon
Fly with the ability and freedom to fly any place he chooses at speed well
surpassing 35 miles per hour. He has been transfigured, or metamorphosed into a
new creature.
This is very much like the passing of a child of God. He is
changed in an instant and receives a glorified body much distinguishable from
that which he formerly owned. Those left behind may not understand, but the
departed saint has freedoms unheard of on earth. These are the Dragon Fly
Saints.
(Mark 9:2-9)
The account of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ as
recorded here in Mark (parallel passages
are found in Matthew 17:1-3 and above in Luke 9:28-36) is a demonstration to three witnesses that Jesus
Christ was who He claimed to be. In all three accounts of the transfiguration
of Jesus Christ, we are given the names of the three disciples who accompanied
Jesus and who stood as human witnesses to the glory that was Christ's. There were
also three heavenly witnesses -- Moses, Elijah, and the voice of God from
heaven. Therefore, the Old Testament law of three witnesses required to attest
to any fact (Deuteronomy 19:15) was satisfied both in earth and in heaven.
We have,
in the account given in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, a glorious and
faith confirming event that had a profound effect on the three Apostles who
were privileged to witness it. These three were given a view to which none
other than the host of heaven was privy - the glorious transfiguration
of Christ into His Heavenly state of Holiness, Light, and Eternal Being in the
Kingdom of God. The words of Jesus in (Mark 1) are
particularly noteworthy to this event. - But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not
taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. Christ is providing them with
the news that they will soon glimpse His Heavenly Glory and coming Kingdom of
God. This was a preview of what they would see and know following the resurrection
when all was finished!
When we
wish to come near to God, we should go where we are assured of solitude.
Mountains take us to a higher plane, and also provide assured privacy. As we
come nearer to the peak of the mountain, there is only a small patch of terrain
for our position. Additionally, when we are on the mountain, we are nearer to
God because the world is far from us as we look down on the small features of
the familiar world. And we must come to Christ all alone - apart from any other person who we may think to help us.
The word
"transfigured" is a very interesting word. The Greek word is
"metamorpho" and it means to transform, literally or figuratively to
metamorphose, or to change. The word is a verb that means to change into another form. It also means to change the
outside to match the inside. The prefix "meta" means to change and
the "morphe" means form. In the case of the transfiguration of Jesus
Christ it means to match the outside with the reality of the inside. To change
the outward so that it matches the inward reality. Jesus' divine nature was
"veiled" (Hebrews 10:20) in human form and the transfiguration was a glimpse
of that glory. Therefore, the transfiguration of Jesus Christ displayed the
Shekinah glory of God incarnate in the Son. The voice of God attesting to the
truth of Jesus' Sonship was the second time God's voice was heard. The first
time was at Jesus' baptism into His public ministry by John the Baptist. (Matthew 3:7; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22)
As
Christ prayed, the Kingdom of God began to materialize before the eyes of the
onlookers. Not only did the bodily features of Christ begin to change, but even
His raiment became immaculately white and even resplendent in their bright
beauty. Moses and Elias (Hellenic for Elijah), who appeared in glory but still
as men, appeared by the side of Christ and discussed His coming death. One of
these men had known physical death for God had shown him all the Promised Land
from the heights of Mount Pisgah, and he died there. God Himself buried Moses.
The other, Elijah, had not known physical death for he was translated in a
Chariot of Fire. When the Kingdom comes in the fullness of time, some will
still be living who know the Lord. They will likewise never see physical death,
but others, like Moses (no less cherished by God) sleeps in the dust until that
great moment comes.
The
Apostles were amazed at the sight of the glorified Christ in the presence of
Moses and Elijah. It is quite remarkable that, even though they were not told
the identity of the two Prophets present, they nonetheless recognized them.
When we are in Christ in the coming glory, many mysteries will likewise be
known to us without the asking.
Poor
Peter, being a speaker always before a thinker, remarked that they should build
three tabernacles on the spot: one for Christ, and one each for the two
prophets. In so doing, Peter was unwittingly placing the prophets on the same
par with Christ. We should never consider any man, regardless his piety or
devotion, on a level with God. We believe all things, not because some inspired
man has spoken them, but because God has spoken in His Word.
While
he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as
they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying,
"This is my beloved Son: hear him." I do believe the message could be any clearer or simple:
"Let God be true and every man a liar" (Romans 3:4) Regardless
what gifted minister may say, it is our duty to confirm all things heard or
spoken with Holy Scripture. If God has not spoken it, a million words of a
great man will not alter the truth one iota.
After
the voice had spoken, the cloud lifted. That should always be true in the
Christian's understanding - once God has addressed a matter, it is finally
settled for good - no questions, not rationalization, no equivocation! And as
the cloud lifted, in order to emphasize the point, Christ was found alone. It
is to Christ alone that we owe our redemption and to Him alone that we must
seek succor. "This is my Beloved Son: hear Him!" This was God's
command to the Apostles, and it is God's command to us on this Day of
Transfiguration, and every day!
The Son
of God came to earth in the form of a man to be the true servant of God and to
gift mankind with the greatest gift ever given, eternal life. The
transfiguration of Jesus Christ was a visible sign in the presence of reliable
witnesses of the reality of the power of God and the glory, which is Christ
Jesus. (2nd Peter 1:13-19)
Are you
ready to climb the reed of salvation and be changed forever?
