Transfigured & Transformed
Seeing Jesus as He Truly Is: The Transfiguration and Transformation
This Epiphany, we’re exploring the transfiguration of Jesus and how it connects to our transformation. The New Testament writers use the same word—metamorphosis—to describe both Jesus’ radiant change on the mountain and the progressive transformation of every Christian. From rebirth to renewal and ultimately to glorified resplendence, this journey is central to the life of faith.
Yet, if we’re honest, the transfiguration often feels like an overlooked event in the Western church. We celebrate Christmas and Easter with great fanfare, but the transfiguration rarely makes the calendar. By contrast, in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, it’s a major feast day. While the reasons for this divergence are complex, neglecting the transfiguration robs us of profound insights into the person of Jesus and the purpose of our salvation.
1. Historic Evidence for Jesus
All three Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—include this moment when Jesus ascends a mountain, is transfigured before Peter, James, and John, and radiates divine glory. For the eyewitnesses, this was no ordinary event. It was life-changing. Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:16-18:
“We were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased!’ We ourselves heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain.”
Peter’s testimony is clear: this wasn’t a myth or metaphor. It was a real event that revealed Jesus as the Son of God. And it wasn’t just Peter—John also references the glory they witnessed (John 1:14). James, though he didn’t leave writings, bore witness with his life, being executed in Acts 12 for his faith.
This eyewitness testimony matters. It challenges us to consider the reliability of those who saw and experienced Jesus’ glory firsthand. If they were willing to live and die for what they saw, shouldn’t we take their claims seriously?
2. The Supernatural Jesus
The transfiguration reminds us that Christianity is unapologetically supernatural. Jesus wasn’t just a moral teacher or religious reformer—He is the eternal Son of God. From His virgin birth to His miracles, resurrection, and ascension, every facet of His life reveals a reality beyond our natural comprehension.
Yet, modern Western thought often tries to strip Christianity of its supernatural elements. This reductionist approach reframes Jesus as a wise sage or a symbol of inspiration, but it robs Him of His divine identity. Without the supernatural, we lose the very foundation of Christianity. As C.S. Lewis famously said, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
The transfiguration confronts us with the supernatural Jesus. His radiant glory isn’t a symbol or a parable—it’s the revelation of His divine nature.
3. Why We Are Saved
When we talk about salvation, we often focus on the how: Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Through faith in Him, our sins are forgiven, and we are declared righteous. But the transfiguration points us to the why.
Why does God save us? The ultimate goal isn’t just forgiveness—it’s to behold God’s glory. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” The transfiguration gives us a glimpse of that ultimate joy. It’s a preview of the day when we will see Jesus face to face, transformed into His likeness (1 John 3:2).
4. Restoring a Heavenly Perspective
In recent decades, there’s been a healthy emphasis on the physical and earthy aspects of Christian faith. Salvation isn’t just about going to heaven when you die—it’s about the renewal of creation, the resurrection of the body, and the restoration of all things.
But if we focus too much on the earthly, we risk losing sight of the heavenly. The transfiguration reminds us that Christianity is full of wonder, mystery, and transcendence. It doesn’t fit neatly into our categories or agendas. It lifts our eyes beyond the confines of this world to the glory of the one who created it.
Who Is Jesus?
The most important question anyone can ask is, “Who is Jesus?” The transfiguration gives us a resounding answer. He is the beloved Son of God, the radiance of the Father’s glory, and the light of the world.
To neglect the transfiguration is to miss the clearest picture of Jesus’ identity. It’s a moment when His humanity and divinity shine together, showing us not only who He is but who we are meant to be in Him.
So as we reflect on the transfiguration, let’s allow it to deepen our awe of Christ, anchor our faith in His supernatural power, and fuel our hope in the transformation He promises. For as we behold His glory, we too are being transformed into His image—from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18).
