The Mount Transfiguration: Why Was Jesus' Transfiguration So Important?
A Biblical Breakdown of The Mount of Transfiguration and the Trans figuration of (Yeshua) Jesus Christ before the Disciples | PLM: Patriot Lay Ministries
The Mount Transfiguration: Why Was Jesus' Transfiguration So Important?
PLM: Patriot Lay Ministries | September 14th, 2023
Introductory Preface: A Biblical Breakdown of The Mount of Transfiguration and the Trans figuration of (Yeshua) Jesus Christ before the Disciples
Biblical Locations of : (Matthew Chs. 16 & 17 | Mark Ch. 9 | Luke Ch. 9 | Philippians : Extra Context: Exodus 33 | Matthew 26 )
Logistical & Historical Location:
Coordinates: 32°41′14″N 35°23′25″E Mount Tabor ( Hebrew: הר תבור) ( Har Tavor) is located in Lower Galilee, Israel, at the eastern end of the Jezreel Valley, 18 kilometers (11 mi) west of the Sea of Galilee. Mount Tabor is the earliest traditional location for the Mountain of Transfiguration, a tradition established by a 3rd century Christian scholar named Origen. It was later confirmed by the Latin priest and historian Jerome, and a theologian known as Cyril of Jerusalem in the 4th century AD. The Church of the Transfiguration, part of a Franciscan monastery complex, stands there today and was completed in 1924. But this structure was built on the ruins of an ancient Byzantine church (constructed in the fourth or fifth century), and a twelfth-century Catholic Church built during the Crusader period
Biblical Context:
The Transfiguration of Jesus is an event described in the New Testament, where Jesus is transfigured and becomes radiant in glory upon a mountain. The Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, & Luke recount the occasion, and the Second Epistle of Peter also refers to it. In the gospel accounts, Jesus and three of his apostles, Peter, James, and John, go to a mountain to pray. Jesus Christ was a powerful demonstration of His divine nature and the manifestation of His glory, which Jesus possessed prior to coming to earth in the human body. This revelation is referenced in the Apostle Paul's message to Philippi. His heavenly glory was so that the "inner circle" of His disciples could gain a greater understanding of who Jesus was. Christ underwent a dramatic change in appearance in order that the disciples could behold Him in His glory. Transfiguration is ranked alongside Jesus' baptism and the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension as a key milestone of his life and ministry. Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. Jesus' face shone like the sun; His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. During this time of great a divine revelation and holy-supernatural event before Jesus there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
What does the word “transfiguration” mean?
The word “transfiguration” comes from the Latin roots trans- (“across”) and figura (“form, shape”). It thus signifies a change of form or appearance.
In Strong's Concordance: metamorphoō - Strong's Greek Lexicon
Meaning in Greek: to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure.
Application: Christ appearance was changed and was resplendent with divine brightness on the mount of transfiguration.
Why Was Jesus' Transfiguration So Important?
One of the main ideas of Christianity is that Jesus is the Son of God. For most of his ministry on Earth, he seemed to be a regular guy. He was not really notable for handsome looks or spectacular wealth. So how would we know that he was different if we were there with him before he was crucified? For one thing, there were the miracles that he performed. Those are strong indicators of his unusual nature. There was one event though that was off the charts in terms of its fantastical nature. Anyone seeing it would not have been able to deny that something divine was happening with Jesus of Nazareth. That event was called the Transfiguration. In it, Jesus, witnessed by his closest friends, transformed from an unassuming man in regular clothing into a being emanating intense white light who was also talking with two of the main figures of ancient Judaism.
The transfiguration of Jesus Christ was a powerful demonstration of His divine nature and the manifestation of His glory, which Jesus possessed prior to coming to earth in the human body. This revelation is referenced in the Apostle Paul's message to Phillippi:
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:5-11 KJV).
Since the Israelites-Jewish people were a stubborn people in order to prove Himself who He really was in a mighty way (Yeshua) Jesus Christ had to perform the second of all Greatest Miracles, He had to transform Himself into that Heavenly Divine Light-being, that Messiah that they all looked for. Since the Disciples could not stand before him in THAT presence of FULL GLORY they hit there knees and became prostrate face down because to look upon glorified holiness while in their mortal flesh they would die instantaneously.
Ref: And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. - Exodus Exodus 33:20.
In the Berean Standard Bible it speaks a little more clearer of why and the context before you get to Verse 20: 19
“I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 20 But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.”
We cannot simply understand, comprehend, fathom, imagine what a Holy Love, Compassion, and His full Mercy and Grace even feels like let alone grasp it mentally and take it all within our hearts and souls.
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST makes it abundantly clear that in the doctrines of many that preach a wildness of loose running around thinking one is worshipping and praising His Holy Name, they cannot stand before The Almighty -The Great I AM. If the Disciples were numbed to being paralyze not of and out of fear but by a Holy Glory to the point of going prostrate face down. Even Jesus Himself in the Garden of Gethsemane fell down prostrate before His Father in prayer as he prayed over what was to come and that that cup would pass from Him (in this moment of time the human nature that we all share came out in Him-was not a mortal weakness at all)
"And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
Matthew 26:39.
This is as basic of a break down Biblically, Doctrinally, Theologically, and by use of logic that you can get when it comes to The Mount Transfiguration & THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST.