“And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” (Matthew 17:2, ESV)

Certain things in life we never forget. Those of us who are old enough remember what we were doing when we first saw the planes crashing into the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. More recently, we remember hearing the news about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Some events are so poignant that they leave an indelible mark on the memory. Such was the transfiguration in the minds of Christ’s inner circle. They could never forget the face of Jesus shining like the sun and the voice coming from the cloud of glory. Jesus was transfigured and so were they.

From this Greek word, we get our English word metamorphosis. It means to change the essential nature of something. In the case of Jesus, He did not really change. They just got to see Him as He really is. His glorious nature that existed from before the world was formed took on human flesh so that He could dwell with us. The Incarnation is what we celebrate each Christmas.

But these three men were forever changed when they saw Christ’s glory on the mountain. Peter later wrote about the experience.

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,’ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.” (2 Peter 1:16–18, ESV)

Has our vision of Jesus so transfigured us? We have not seen Him with physical eyes, but we see Him through His Word. We believe in Him and love Him. We know He is sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. We have the enduring hope that He is coming again to gather us to Himself. The eyes of our understanding have been opened to see who He really is. What impact is this making on our lives. Are we transfigured because of His glory?

It is interesting that Paul used the same word when he wrote to the Romans:

“And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed (transfigured) by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2, NKJV)

Are we keeping Christ’s glorious image ever before us? This vision will renew our minds and transfigure us into His likeness. It will help us to know and prove the perfect will of God.