The Transfiguration - 7 Aug 1955

Introduction : August 6 th Feast of the Transfiguration. This is one of the most important events in our Lord’s life recorded in Mark, Matthew and Luke. (Mark 9:8-13, Matthew 17:1-13, Luke 8:28-36). Our Lord was in the habit of going to a mountain to be alone with God. He spent his days in active ministry and from time to time withdrew from the world of activity to be alone with God.

This time He took with him Peter, James and John. As He prayed, He was transfigured. His face shone like the Sun. His garments became as white as light. There appeared to them Moses and Elijah talking to Him. Peter said to Jesus: “It is good for us to be here. We will make three tabernacles; one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was speaking, a cloud overshadowed them. A voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased, listen to Him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them saying, “Rise, have no fear.” When they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

This vision draws our attention to two things.

1. In this vision the place of the Old Testament is finally settled. Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets, have helped to lead the way towards a perfect revelation of God, but now the perfect revelation has come in Jesus and He must be supreme. Jesus did not come to destroy either the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfil both, to make up anything lacking in either. So, the vision ends with Christ alone.

2. The vision also brings to prominence the fact of the glory and holiness and majesty of God. It is a fact which this age needs to grasp afresh. It is something which must be realised if ever we are to build a new world. Our times of worship, hours of quiet and study of God’s word all must bring us into a realisation of the glory and holiness and majesty of God.

Let us pray that that experience may be ours too.

(Another sermon on the same subject)