We got a start in answering the “why” question about the transfiguration. Here are three purposes that I see that were fulfilled in that awesome scene.
1. The transfiguration was God’s seal of approval to Peter’s confession of faith that Jesus was the Christ (Mark 8:29). Peter’s suggestion of three tents was contrary to his confession a week earlier. But the Father made it clear that above all others ever on earth, even above the greats Elijah and Moses, Jesus spoke for the Father! As we noted, this what one thing Peter himself declared, that the affirmation of Jesus by the Father tells us that what we have from Christ, the New Testament, is to be heard and heeded. Hear Him!
2. It was also the Father’s way of encouraging the Son as He began to make His way to Jerusalem. Pilgrim’s need to have a glimpse of where they are headed on their “pilgrimage.” Some of my favorite Psalms are the “Pilgrim Psalms” (Ps. 120-134). The pilgrim grows tired of this world (120) and begins the journey to Jerusalem. But the road will be difficult, so God promises to be his help (121). The first thing God does is to remind him of where he is headed (122). Jerusalem is home to the temple on Mt. Moriah, the place of God’s dwelling. And it is the place of David’s throne on Mt. Zion. This brings hope to the pilgrim for the journey. He can say along with Paul, I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:18). This reminder of the “glory” would be an encouragement for Christ as His humiliation reaches the depths of death, even the death of the cross (Phil. 2:8).
3. Our Lord’s own words in Mark 9:1 indicate that the event was a demonstration (or illustration) of the promised kingdom of God. This seems logical, for the disciples were confused about the kingdom because of Jesus’ words about the cross. (We must not be too hard on them because the prophets were also confused—1 Peter 1:10–12.) Jesus was reassuring them that the Old Testament prophecies would be fulfilled, but first He had to suffer before He could enter into His glory (note especially 2 Peter 1:12–21). The scene on (perhaps) Mt. Hermon, where Jesus is in glorious array, and He is conversing with Elijah and Moses, it not strange. It is the way it will be in eternity. Those OT saints (and the millions we have never heard of) will be there. Life will go on in ways similar to this life, only without sin and death. We know that Christ, in His glorified body, enjoyed grilled fish by the Sea of Galilee. The OT tells us the future kingdom will have many nations there. Physical, social, political and geographical aspects of this world will be present in the age to come. What happened on the “holy mountain” tells us the future is real. It should encourage us as we continue in this life to know the joys of the one to come. Amen!
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