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The Transfiguration: The Greatest Miracle
 The Transfiguration by Raphael, c. 1515 | To be transfigured means to change in outward appearance, to transform. Jesus chose Peter, James and John to hike up a mountain with him. Jesus told them to stop, and he continued a little higher where he began to pray. As he was praying, the disciples saw Jesus' face begin to shine, and his clothing glowed pure white. Although they had been dead for centuries, two men the disciples were sure were Elijah and Moses appeared and talked to Jesus. Peter, James and John were a little frightened by what they saw! God spoke from a bright cloud, announcing that Jesus was His son, and that the disciples should listen to Him. The disciples were so frightened they fell on the ground and hid their faces. Jesus saw their fear. He touched them and told them not to be afraid. When they looked up, only Jesus was before them looking just like he always looked. As they came down from the mountain, Jesus made Peter, James and John promise not to talk about what they had seen until 'the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.' At that time, the disciples weren't too sure what Jesus was talking about, but agreed not to say anything. In the Jewish faith, it was believed that the arrival of the Messiah would only come after Elijah had returned. The disciples asked Jesus about this. He told them that Elijah had returned, but nobody had understood it. The disciples believed he meant that John the Baptist had been the returning Elijah. Jesus was born a Jew, and in the Jewish faith Elijah and Moses represented the prophets and the law. By appearing with them, Jesus can be seen as the fulfillment of the law of Moses and the fulfillment of the prophecies. The Transfiguration communicated that Jesus is the Son of God. When God told the disciples present to "Listen to Him!" it meant that what Jesus was preaching was the Word of God and more important than the Jewish laws. In the Gospel of John (13:33), Jesus says, "A new commandment I give you, that you should love one another as I have loved you." Love one another is not a new commandment; in Leviticus (19:18) the Lord commands that we love our neighbors as we love ourselves. The difference is that Jesus wants us to love others as Jesus has loved us. Jesus died for our sins, giving all of Himself for all of us. Christians believe this act was the greatest gift of all. Jesus asks us not just to love, but to love without limits. That's a tall order that only God can help us accomplish! |
| February 2016 | ||||
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