In this climatic story, Jesus offers the disciples Peter, James, and John a glimpse of God’s greater glory. We witness his Shekinah glory, God’s divine and abiding presence at work throughout the Old Testament. God planted himself in the center of the camp so that his presence would illumine the people far and wide. After Moses’ mountaintop experience with God for forty days and nights, his face was aglow. Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 3:18, that Christians now live with an unveiled face and are being transformed from one degree of God’s glory to another. How can this be? As we behold the glory of God, we recognize that this displayed mystery has been revealed in the word made flesh, Jesus Christ. The Spirit of adoption now dwells within to change us into the image of Christ every day, both in part now, and in full for all eternity.

Mark 9:3&7 proclaims (NIV), “He was transfigured before them. His clothes were dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. This is my Son whom I love. Listen to him.” Jesus had just been teaching to his faithful followers about the true commitment of discipleship. Were they willing to follow Jesus at all costs? This peak encounter for the disciples was to demonstrate a glimpse of the glorified Christ, a greater glory, but also to show that in everyday ordinary time and space, God’s glory is majestic and reaches to the ends of the earth. God’s display of the transfiguration validated Jesus as the Son of God.  Despite the proclamation of his own suffering and approaching death, Jesus was truly God’s anointed one for the world by representing his glorified state. God’s greater glory brought a reinforcement of the disciple’s faith. Praise God! It brought to their memory a vision in which they could trust as they spread the Kingdom of God to the uttermost.  Spiritual truth enlightens the soul from bleak darkness to high visibility sunlight. Jesus is the Son of God. He is the everlasting life that exists in and of himself.

As a pastor, I have the privilege of ministering to souls through differing capacities: whether fellowshipping within their home, anointing the sick on hospital visits, or just being present at the end of their earthly journey. It all points to God’s greater glory, now but not yet. Because the Spirit of freedom now moves in us, we must live beholding God’s glory in the face of Jesus no matter the cost. Christ illumines our hearts with God’s divine presence, and we carry this toward others to help light the way. This same encounter that the disciples witnessed of Jesus’ transfiguration will be in full when we meet him face to face. This is the good news that Jesus demonstrated to his disciples. Because of the suffering of Jesus’ glory, God has lifted the veil from our heart so that we can walk out this transformed life and allow God’s glory to shine through our dark world so others might live in the hope for all eternity.

Throughout her whole life, my dear sweet niece, Juliana, offered to all God’s greater glory, but specifically, the last year and a half of her life. Amid her grave diagnosis, and the debilitating pain she encountered daily, her face was aglow, and her body radiated the light and energy of Jesus Christ. She was transfigured every day to carry God’s healing power to others. And she did just that. Whether through her smile, laughter, inner joy, or giving thanks for another day, she trusted Jesus to make every moment holy and extraordinary all for his glory. The suffering of her life became an incredible gift to our family and beyond. She lived life everyday as if it were her last. You see, Juliana was like a second daughter to me, and we had an unspoken understanding about life. We often shared one of her favorite books, the allegory of “Hinds feet on High Places.” We met separated by time and space but bonded together in the Holy Spirit dreaming of the mountain tops Jesus could take us to and what that looked like. She would say Caroline, thank you for being with me and encouraging me through these challenging years, but it was I who was touched in the very depths of my soul every time our voices connected.  I am forever changed for God’s greater glory! To God be the Glory great things he has done!

Reflection:

• Do you reflect Jesus Christ every day?
• Do you live in the freedom that Christ has offered to us, regardless of the cost?

Dear Father,

We thank you for showing us your divine presence in Jesus Christ. May we live with this illumination today and forevermore as the Holy Spirit transforms our heart every day all for your greater glory!

In Jesus name,

Amen!

Blessings,

Dr. Caroline