March 19, 2006
THE TRANSFIGURATION
Matthew 17:1-9

   Matthew, Mark, and Luke record the transfiguration of our Lord when Peter, James, and John were the privileged "eyewitnesses of His majesty." "He received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, 'This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased'"(2 Pet. 1:16-17). All three gospels record the Lord's promise that some of them "would not taste of death" until they saw "the Son of man coming in His kingdom" (Mt. 16:28).
   The Lord had announced for the first time His going to Jerusalem, suffering "many things...and being killed and raised again the third day" (16:21)."In a state of shock Peter rebuked Him saying, "this shall not be to Thee." The Lord rebuked Peter and challenged each of the twelve to "come after Me...deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." The Lord called them "taste of death," to a path of suffering, but not before they witnessed His coming glory.
   The Transfiguration was followed by Gethsemane where the Lord was "exceeding sorrowful even unto death." Peter, James, and John were to "watch with Me...and pray that ye enter not into temptation" (Mt. 26:38-41).
   They could "...see Jesus...made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Heb. 2:9). This honor and glory consecrated the Lord for His priestly office. "For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God...  And no man takes this honor to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but He that said unto Him, 'Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.'...also in another place said, 'Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.' Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered" (Heb. 5:1-8). These words describe Gethsemane where the Lord Jesus suffered, tasting death, "sorrowing unto death, in preparation for the cross! Thus the Captain of salvation "was made perfect through suffering" (2:10).

Ivan L. Burgener