Matthew 17:2
"And was transfigured before them: and"
"His face did shine as the sun and"
"His raiment was white as the light"
What was the purpose of the transfiguration? It was a picture of the coming Kingdom. Christ had promised that some of the Disciples would not see death until they had seen Him in His Kingdom (Matthew 16:28). Peter had just recently confessed Christ as the Son of God in (16:16), and had learned the truth about the coming death of Christ (16:21-23). at that point they were probably wondering about, if He was to die on the cross, and all the promises of the Kingdom? Will they be fulfilled?
Christ in His transfiguration assured them that the Word would stand and the Kingdom would come. The scene is actually a picture of the Kingdom: Christ glorified, the three Apostles representing Israel, Moses representing Saints who died in Christ, Elijah representing saints who were raptured ( for Elijah did not die), and the multitudes at the foot of the mountain representing the other nations.
The transfiguration was also to strengthen Christ for His suffering. Moses and Elijah talked with Christ about His coming death which He would accomplish in Jerusalem. "His Exodus" (exit): His way down to the middle of the earth, His way out of the grave, and His way to the right hand of God. This should have been an encouragement to The Disciples as they faced separation from the Lord as He experienced His suffering and death. Had they remember that scene, they would not have failed Him or lost hope after His death on the cross. You must know the reason for the cross and what Christ suffered on that cross; and once you have come to know Christ and accept Him in Your life; "YOU WANT FORGET HIM "
May God Bless You
And Your Families
Minister: Robert A. Lail
The Cross Life Ministry
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