Christ’s transfiguration offers a wonderful image of his power and might, reflecting the very core of his being.
And it still shines brightly in the world today.
I experienced it during one of the most daunting times of my life, when I had the privilege of meeting someone who truly reflected it.
My elderly relative was seriously ill in hospital, and in the bed opposite hers was a lovely old lady.
I visited my relative every day, and this lady was always sitting up in bed, smiling at me.
I gradually began talking to this smiley lady – as my relative was asleep most of the time over some months.
The old lady genuinely cared about us both, humbly and kindly updating me on progress during my absence.
One day, when we were well established in our friendship, I entered the ward, and the smiley face was gone.
Someone lay there under a pile of blankets in her bed, and I felt sad that I had not been able to say goodbye.
But, the next day, her smiley face was back in its usual place.
I realized she must have been asleep the previous day.
When I told her I thought she had gone home, she smiled her lovely smile.
In that moment, I recognized something special in her.
There was an unfathomable presence about her that I hadn’t sensed before.
So I said to her, “There is something special about you isn’t there – what is it that I see in you?”
I asked a few times before she almost reluctantly replied, “It’s the light of Christ.”
This was an Emmaus Road moment for me, because (unknown to her) I had been praying at the local church for help and healing.
To then discover the unassuming, unpretentious, and humble, Light of Christ had been shining out over us (through this lady) during those dark weeks and months – was a truly profound moment for me.
The lady was clearly blessed, and I often wonder if she was a Nun.
The Light of Christ at His Transfiguration
The early church often sought to teach biblical truths through imagery, creating icons to help followers better understand different scenarios, the later church did the same with stained glass windows.
And Christ’s transfiguration has been depicted many times in these ways.
In the splendid imagery of the Transfiguration, I see Christ the Morning Star in all His glory, accompanied by two of the greatest characters from the Old Testament: Elijah the prophet and Moses the lawgiver.
There are similarities with both of them also having had mountain-top encounters with God.
Then we heard the words said at Christ’s Baptism …… and being told we must listen to Christ. Meaning he is bringing a new covenant, a new law, one for all the people.
Below them, three disciples—Peter, James, and John— in complete disarray, half asleep and unable to comprehend what was before their eyes.
The many aspects of this image can be translated in various ways.
But I see it almost as a Michelangelo moment, somewhat like a lightning bolt, with God’s finger extending towards Jesus high on a mountain.
I see Jesus shining light into the world’s darkness to bring His people out of the wilderness, as Moses did in the Exodus.
I also see ourselves in the three disciples, who have no idea what is going on and are trembling beneath the glory of Jesus.
We, like them, are also just unformed putty in God’s hands.
Something within us feels certain of Jesus’ divinity, but another part cannot grasp the enormity of eternity or comprehend the greatness of God and all His creation.
We try to do good things, as Peter did suggesting they built three tents, but we also often do not know the best course of action.
However, as we draw closer to Jesus, more of His light is revealed, and we begin to understand at a deeper level.
And as we mature in faith, we begin to see things differently.
What seemed vitally important at one point in our lives, may no longer be so now.
What seemed insignificant to us, or was difficult for us, might eventually completely turn around and become a path of growth and development.
Because each one of us is unique in our development,
But we don’t have to wait until we are perfectly formed into all God intends, before we can reflect God’s light into the world today.
Because all who have faith in Jesus carry his light within.
And when we find ways to demonstrate God’s goodness to others, as the lovely lady in the hospital did.
Then, others will notice something within us too, and when those moments arise in our lives.
I pray that we too, are brave enough to say, it is the light of Christ at work.
