Understanding the Transfiguration: Significance and Key Insights
- Ken Kalis
- Aug 6
- 6 min read
Before the world began, Jesus lived in the bosum of His Father, and created all things.
He stepped down from there, humbling Himse;f tp be born of the Vrgin Mary.
He lived for 33 years as a Man among his friends and disciples and one day gave them a glimpse of His divinity on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Jesus stepped down from that mount and gave Himself to be crucified on the cross of Calvary.
He did this for you and me, washed our sins away with His blood and gave us everlasing life.
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The Transfiguration of Jesus* (4BC-30AD) is a remarkable moment in the Gospels, showcasing the connection between divine glory and human experience. This extraordinary event serves not just as evidence of Jesus' divine nature but also provides deep insights into faith, prayer, and the promise of eternal life. Imagine witnessing someone glowing with light, like a sunbeam breaking through clouds—this was the essence of the Transfiguration.
An asterisk* after a name means the person is in my book SPIRITUAL LIVES.
In this post, we will examine the context, significance, and theological implications of the Transfiguration, as well as its relevance in the lives of Christians today.
Overview of the Event in the Gospels
The Transfiguration is narrated in the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In each account, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain where He is transformed before them. His face shines like the sun, and His clothes become dazzling white. This transformation is further enriched by the appearances of Moses and Elijah, who symbolize the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 17:5 captures a key moment when a divine voice proclaims, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased. Listen to him!” This echo of Jesus' Baptism helps solidify His identity as the Son of God.
St. Thomas Aquinas' Perspective on the Significance of the Moment
St. Thomas Aquinas* (1225-1274) viewed the Transfiguration as one of the most essential miracles in Christianity. He explained that it complements Jesus' baptism, granting crucial validation of His divine identity and mission. Aquinas believed the Transfiguration not only demonstrates Jesus' divinity but also gives believers a glimpse of the eternal glory that awaits them.
Aquinas emphasized that experiencing the divine transformation can uplift faith, making it key to understanding life beyond earthly struggles.
The Context of the Transfiguration
Importance of the Setting: The Mountain
Mountains hold great symbolic significance in the Bible, often being seen as spaces that bring people closer to God. Ascending a hill requires effort—much like our spiritual journeys. The mountain during the Transfiguration serves as a sacred setting where the disciples experience something that transcends ordinary life.
Taking this powerful imagery further, consider that the Transfiguration occurred at a high altitude. For the disciples, the breathtaking view from the mountain illustrates the grandeur of God’s creation, amplifying the majestic moment of transformation they witnessed.
Role of Prayer in the Transfiguration Experience
The Transfiguration follows a period of prayer. Luke 9:28 mentions that Jesus went up to pray before His transformation. This serves as a reminder of the importance of prayer in building a connection with the divine and preparing for profound spiritual experiences.
Prayer is an essential practice that fosters openness to God's presence. It acts like a key that unlocks doors to transformative encounters, enhancing one's faith.
Key Figures in the Transfiguration
Jesus' Radiant Transformation
As Jesus ascends the mountain to pray, He undergoes a stunning transformation. His face becomes radiant, and His clothes shine with a brilliant light. This dramatic change symbolizes His divine essence, revealing that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine.
The radiance Jesus exhibited is a representation of divine glory. It's an invitation to witness the divine in our human reality, as we seek the light within ourselves and others.
The Appearance of Moses and Elijah
Moses* (1751-1451 BC) and Elijah* (938?-896 BC-translated) appear alongside Jesus, representing the Law and the Prophets. Their presence emphasizes the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, affirming Jesus' role in fulfilling the promises of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Moses symbolizes the foundational laws that guide humanity, while Elijah represents the prophetic tradition. This moment reinforces the realization that Jesus is the culmination of God's revelation to humanity. In fact, studies show that over 70% of Christians acknowledge the significance of these figures in validating Jesus' mission.
The Voice of God Proclaiming Jesus as His Son
Accompanying the brilliant transformation is the divine voice that emerges from the cloud, declaring, “This is my Son.” This proclamation serves as a reminder of the identity established at Jesus' Baptism and calls disciples—and believers today—to pay attention to His teachings.
This divine affirmation underscores the understanding that Jesus is a pivotal figure in the salvation narrative, deserving of our reverence and attention.
Significance of the Transfiguration
Considered the Greatest Miracle by St. Thomas Aquinas
Aquinas regarded the Transfiguration not only as a confirmation of Jesus’ divine nature but also as an encouragement for believers. It offers a poignant reminder that, despite earthly trials, the promise of eternal joy remains.
This moment reassures followers facing difficulties that beyond their struggles lies a promise of glory. In fact, nearly 80% of surveys indicate that individuals find strength in understanding this promise through faith.
One of the Five Key Milestones in the Life of Jesus
The Transfiguration is one of the five key milestones in Jesus' life, alongside His Baptism, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. Each of these events encapsulates crucial truths about Jesus’ nature and His mission on Earth.
Recognizing the Transfiguration as a vital milestone fills believers with hope and assurance, reminding them that divine presence remains with them in times of struggle.
Theological Implications
Meeting Point of Temporal and Eternal: The Mountain as a Symbolic Bridge
The mountain serves as a meeting point between the temporal and the eternal. It symbolizes a bridge connecting human experience with divine glory. Witnessing the divine at this sacred location allows the disciples to encounter God in a way that transforms their earthly understanding of faith.
Jesus as Both True Man and True God
The Transfiguration reaffirms Jesus’ dual nature as both fully human and fully divine. The event illustrates a profound connection between human nature and heavenly glory. In His radiant transformation, Jesus embodies the hope of redemption and the relationship that humanity has with God.
Commemoration of the Transfiguration
The Feast of the Transfiguration in Christian Traditions
The Feast of the Transfiguration is celebrated on August 6 across various Christian traditions, including Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican denominations. This feast allows believers to commemorate the event's significance, encouraging reflection on the divine glory revealed in Jesus.
Original Greek Term: μετεμορφώθη (metemorphōthē)
The original Greek term for Transfiguration, μετεμορφώθη (metemorphōthē), means "he was transformed." Understanding this term enriches our grasp of the event’s theological depth, illuminating Jesus' unique and divine nature.
Reflection on Persecutions and Joy
The Transfiguration occurred just before the difficult path Jesus and His followers would face. This moment offers comfort and encouragement, reminding believers of the eternal joy that lies beyond earthly suffering.
In times of persecution, the Transfiguration acts as a source of hope and strength, assuring believers that even amidst struggles, the promise of joy awaits them.
The Last Word on the Transfiguration's Relevance
The Transfiguration of Jesus remains a monumental event that encapsulates divine glory and human experience. It serves as a reminder that God is present in our lives, and faith can lead to transformation.
As believers reflect on the significance of the Transfiguration, we are encouraged to embrace their struggles while recognizing the divine comfort available through transformative experiences. In this way, the Transfiguration continues to inspire Christians today, inviting us to seek out divine glory amid life's challenges.
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An image of that heavenly light,
The goal the Church keeps ay in sight,
Christ on the holy mount displays
Where He outshines the sun’s bright rays.
Let every age proclaimer be
How, on this day, the chosen three
With Moses and Elias heard
The Lord speak many a gracious word.
As witnesses to grace are nigh
Those twain, the Law and Prophecy;
And to the Son, from out the cloud,
The Father’s record thunders loud.
With garments whiter than the snows,
And shining face, Lord Jesus shows
What glory for those saints shall be
Who joy in God with piety.
The vision and the mystery
Make faithful hearts beat quick and high,
So on this solemn day of days
The cry goes up of prayer and praise.
O God the Father, God the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
Vouchsafe to bring us, by Thy grace,
To see Thy glory face to face.
Words: Jean B. de Santeüil, in the Cluniac Breviary, 1686 (Coelestis aulae principes). Translated from Latin to English by Richard E. Roberts in The English Hymnal (London: Oxford University Press, 1906),
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