The Transfiguration of Jesus
The Kingdom of God in the Transfiguration
The Transfiguration
Jesus’ transfiguration was a unique experience that three of the disciples were able to witness. They went with Jesus to a mountain to pray, “and while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.”1
The transfiguration account is significant because it occurs about a week after Jesus had told his disciples about the great suffering he was going to endure.2 He finishes that conversation off by saying, “Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”3
Kingdom of God
Some interpret the “kingdom of God” here as a reference to the end times—when Jesus will return and his final kingdom will be established. That interpretation of course makes us question whether or not there is still a disciple walking around to this day, waiting to witness the kingdom of God.
In reality, Jesus is not speaking about his second coming, but is referring to his transfiguration. Jesus himself is the embodiment of the kingdom of God and when he is transfigured, these three disciples witness the glory of the kingdom.
Strengthening Faith
So why did Jesus allow these three disciples to witness this account? In light of the previous verses (Luke 9:20-27) that speak of the coming death and rejection of the Messiah, this witness of glory was meant to strengthen their faith in anticipation of the cross.4
Jesus knows what lies ahead and he knows the fears and doubts his disciples will face, so he allows three of them to witness his glory in that moment. What shone out of Jesus was “like the sun”, “and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.”
Fullness of Glory
There is no sufficient way to fully describe what his glory truly looked like with our limited earthly terms, but anyone who has stared into the sun even for a second knows the blinding pain. How much more so would Jesus’ glory become blindingly beautiful to these disciples? Through the recounting of what they witnessed, our faith can also be strengthened as we await the hope of glory that we will one day see in heaven.
Preparing Our Hearts
We can reflect on God's Kingdom made manifest through Jesus Christ and the hope of glory that we witness in the transfiguration. As our awareness of God’s glory increases, our desire for holiness should increase as well.