God’s Glory in Jesus’ Face
The Glory of God in the Face of Jesus: A Biblical Theology of the Transfiguration
The transfiguration of Jesus is one of the most awe-inspiring moments in the Gospels. On a mountain, before the astonished eyes of Peter, James, and John, Jesus’ face shines like the sun, and His clothes become dazzling white. This event wasn’t an isolated incident but the climax of a story woven throughout the Bible—a story of glory, presence, and transformation.
Glory in the Beginning: Creation and Eden
The Bible opens with light. In Genesis 1, God’s first creative word is, “Let there be light” (v. 3). This isn’t just the light of the sun or stars but a deeper reality: God’s glory, which brings life, order, and beauty.
Eden, the place where God walked with humanity, was suffused with this glory. Even the description of the garden hints at radiance—gold, onyx, and bdellium shimmered in the land (Genesis 2:12). The original creation was luminous, reflecting the light and life of its Creator.
But humanity’s rebellion in the Fall shattered this radiance. Paul writes in Romans 3:23 that we have all “sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sin exiles us from God’s presence and glory, leaving us in darkness. From that moment, the biblical story becomes a quest to restore humanity to the glory for which we were created.
Moses’ Longing for Glory
Fast forward to Moses, one of God’s great mediators in the Old Testament. After the exodus from Egypt, Moses ascends Mount Sinai to meet with God. There, God’s glory descends in cloud, fire, and lightning (Exodus 19:16-20).
In one of the most remarkable exchanges in Scripture, Moses boldly asks, “Please show me your glory” (Exodus 33:18). God grants Moses a partial glimpse, shielding him in the cleft of a rock and passing by with His goodness and name. When Moses descends the mountain, his face is radiant, reflecting the glory of God (Exodus 34:29-35).
This longing for glory—for direct, unmediated communion with God—is a thread that runs through Scripture. It’s a longing we all feel, whether we name it or not.
Aaron’s Ascent
The tabernacle and temple were designed to re-enact Moses’ mountain ascent. These sacred spaces mirrored Mount Sinai, with increasing levels of holiness culminating in the Holy of Holies, where God’s glory dwelled.
The high priest’s work was a miniature version of Moses’ journey. Clad in radiant garments adorned with gold and precious stones (Exodus 28:15-30), the high priest would enter the holy place to intercede for the people. His task wasn’t just to mediate but to bring the blessing of God’s shining presence to His people.
This is captured in the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:24-26:
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
The shining face of God signifies His favor, grace, and peace. Yet even the high priest’s ministry was a shadow of the greater glory to come.
The Ministry of Elijah
Elijah, like Moses, encountered God’s glory on a mountain. After confronting the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah fled to Mount Horeb (another name for Sinai), where God revealed Himself not in wind, earthquake, or fire but in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-12).
Elijah’s ministry anticipated the work of Christ. He called the people to repentance, confronted idolatry, and prepared the way for God’s kingdom. His departure in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11) symbolized the glory that awaited.
The Transfiguration: Glory Revealed
All these threads come together in the transfiguration. On a mountain, Jesus stands with Moses and Elijah, the representatives of the Law and the Prophets. Luke tells us they spoke of Jesus’ “departure” (literally exodus)—His upcoming death and resurrection (Luke 9:31).
But the most striking feature is the glory. Jesus doesn’t reflect light like Moses; He radiates it from within. His face shines like the sun, and His clothes become white as light. The transfiguration isn’t just a display of Jesus’ divinity; it’s a revelation of what He has come to do.
In Jesus, the glory of God isn’t confined to a mountain, tabernacle, or temple. It dwells fully in Him (Colossians 2:9). He is the true and greater Moses, ascending not just a mountain but the cross, where He would make atonement for sin and open the way back to God’s presence.
The transfiguration also gives us a glimpse of our destiny. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:18:
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.”
Through Jesus, we are being restored to the glory we lost in the Fall. His radiant face on the mountain is a promise of the day when we will see Him face to face and be like Him (1 John 3:2).
Beholding the Glory of God in Jesus’ Face
The transfiguration calls us to behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. It reminds us that God’s ultimate goal isn’t just to forgive our sins but to bring us into His radiant presence, where we will dwell with Him forever.
As we meditate on this moment, let it lift our eyes beyond the darkness of this world to the eternal light of Christ. For in Him, the glory we long for is not only revealed but shared. Through Him, we are being transformed—from glory to glory—until the day when His shining face becomes the sun of the new creation.
