Week of Transfiguration
And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. Mark 9:1-3
Peter, James, and John had spent a lot of time with Jesus. They had become accustomed to His appearance and mannerisms. They had become comfortable enough in His presence even to question His plans. When Jesus lifted the veil on His glory, however, these three disciples dove for cover. They had known Jesus during His first coming. Transfiguration gave a glimpse of Jesus at His second coming, and it was terrifying.
Like the disciples, we are much more comfortable with first-coming-Jesus. We decorate our homes and churches with pictures of a kind man with long brown hair and a neatly kept beard. We are so accustomed to this veiled Jesus, that we often forget the true magnitude of His power and glory. Here we see that the same Jesus who welcomed children on His knee is the Jesus who shone like the sun on top of the mountain. The same Jesus who shared His meals with sinners is described in the first chapter of Revelation as having eyes like flames of fire, feet like fine brass, and a voice of roaring waters.
We can take comfort in the knowledge that the Jesus who is coming in glory on the Last Day is the same Jesus who willingly gave up His life for us. The Coming King is our Savior and Brother.
O'er the distant mountains breaking
Comes the redd'ning dawn of day.
Rise, my soul, from sleep awaking;
Rise and sing and watch and pray.
'Tis thy Savior, 'tis thy Savior,
On His bright returning way.
The Lutheran Hymnal 606:1