Scripture Reading: Matthew 17:1-8, 14-20
Three men, Peter, James and John, were with the Master when He was transfigured. All the disciples belonged to His personal family, but these three were taken into the inner circle and enjoyed closest intimacy with Him. On several occasions we find Him choosing the same three for special companionship. In the Garden of Gethsemane these three were chosen to be nearest to Him, that by their sympathy and tenderness they might strengthen Him and thus help Him to endure His sore agony. We know that the holiest will get nearest to Christ. Faith brings men near, while doubt and unbelief separate from Him. Purity of heart brings us close — the pure in heart shall see God. Likeness to Christ fits for close personal friendship. Jesus said that those who serve most self-forgetfully are first in His kingdom. Selfishness keeps us far off. It is a comfort to find that Peter, though a very faulty disciple was one of those who were admitted to closest friendship with Christ.
It is interesting to learn from Luke’s gospel (9:28-36) that Jesus was praying when this wonderful change in His appearance occurred. While He knelt before His Father, the change began to come on His face. It is recorded of certain saintly men that a like change has come upon them when they prayed. We learn thus that prayer has a transfiguring power. Communing with god brings heaven down into our life. It was after Moses had spent forty days on the mountain alone with God that the people saw the dazzling brightness on his face. So it was when Stephen was looking up into heaven, beholding the glory of God, that even his enemies saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel. Only the upward look can give heavenly beauty. Our communings make our character. If we think only of earthly things we shall grow earthly. If we dote on gold, our lives will harden into sordidness. If we look up toward God we shall grow like God. A life of prayer will transform us into spirituality and bring upon us the beauty of the Lord.
Not only was the face of Jesus transfigured, but His very garments shone. A writer suggests that the garments here may represent the circumstances and experiences of the Christian’s life. When one lives near Christ, everything that concerns him is transfigured — for example, care. Every life has its cares, its burdens, its anxieties, its experiences that would naturally fret and vex the spirit. Paul tells us that if we make known all our requests to God, the peace of God shall guard our hearts and our thoughts. The same is true of life’s toils and tasks. Many of us find life hard, with its incessant duty and drudgery. But when the secret of the Lord is in the heart, we can sing songs of joy even in the most wearisome way. The same is true of sorrow. Every life has sorrow. But if Christ is ours, we have comfort in sorrow. Thus all the garments of life — all life’s experiences and conditions — are brightened by peace in the heart.
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