Thank you for helping to support Peace Devotions through your prayers, likes, and shares.
If you’d like to support our ministry financially, you can donate here.
Jesus, Transfigured
Ever shine a flashlight through your hand? What if your hand glowed like a flashlight? Today we reflect on Jesus' Transfiguration with Pastor Timothy Hartwig.
(Transfiguration means a complete change of form or appearance.)
Matthew 17:5
A friend once gave me a handheld spotlight. It plugged into the cigarette lighter of my pickup, but the amazing thing was that it was 1 million candlepower. You could shine that thing at your hand and see through your hand. You could see all of the veins inside of your hand. It was really a little spooky.
It would have been more impressive if my hand had have been able to shine with million candlepower. Maybe that was a similar experience to what 3 of Jesus disciples had. They were up on the mountain with him when suddenly he was transfigured. His appearance changed and he began to shine bright like the Sun. Even his clothes were glowing.
While Jesus was transfigured this way two prophets, Elijah and Moses, appeared and talked to Jesus about his upcoming exodus in Jerusalem. His suffering and death for the sins of the world. Peter realized it was good for him to be in the presence of the glorified Lord, but then a cloud enveloped them and a voice from heaven said…
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.” – Matthew 17:5
When the disciples heard the voice they were struck with fear. Suddenly they became mindful of their sinful condition and they were in the presence of the holy God. Jesus is true God, his Transfiguration reveals it, and even the father’s voice tells us that he is God’s Son, God’s Son whom he loves. God the Father was pleased to send his son to suffer and die for the sins of the world.
Maybe you’re terrified at the thought of God because of your sins. Take heart. Do not be afraid because Jesus is your Savior–God came in the flesh to take away your sins so that one day you will see his glory in heaven. Amen.
