Metamorphosis

By Danny Saavedra

“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. ‘Get up,’ he said. ‘Don’t be afraid.’ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.”—Matthew 17:1–8 (NIV)

A few years ago, my daughter got a milkweed plant and four caterpillars for her birthday. A few weeks later, the caterpillars transformed into beautiful monarch butterflies! Interestingly, despite much scientific examination, this transformation is still a mysterious phenomenon. One author shared that what happens inside a chrysalis is still not really understood or known, but what is known is that early versions of the future butterfly—wings, antennae, legs—already exist in the caterpillar’s body beforehand.

Today, we examine perhaps the most incredible sight human eyes have ever witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus. The word transfigured is metamorphoó (Greek), which means “changed after being with.” It’s a change in form in keeping with inner reality.

Peter, John, and James got a glimpse of what Jesus truly looks like. But this wasn’t the miracle of the transfiguration; it was actually the momentary pause of an ongoing miracle. What do I mean? Well, the true miracle was Jesus keeping this radiance hidden “by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:7 NIV). This was, like the monarch butterfly, the true view of Jesus concealed within the caterpillar of His human body.

As this was taking place, Moses and Elijah appeared. Why? I believe it’s because they represented the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). The representatives of the old covenant came to behold and commune with the radiance of the new covenant!

In the midst of all this, Peter says, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters.” Why did he say this? Even he didn’t know for “he did not know what to say, they were so frightened” (Mark 9:6 NIV). After this, “a bright cloud” appeared—the cloud of God’s glory, like in Exodus. It was the Father, and He spoke the same words here as He did during Jesus’ baptism: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” But then He added, “Listen to him!”

Essentially, He was telling the disciples that Jesus is above Moses and Elijah, above the Law and Prophets. His beloved Son is the way, truth, and life; the One in whom we must put all our hope, trust, and obedience. His voice caused the disciples to fall in fear, as was the usual response from people who heard or saw a glimpse of the Father. But Jesus came and said, “Don’t be afraid.” When they opened their eyes, it was just Him, back in His caterpillar. Do you see it? Jesus is the fullness and glory of God who approached us so we could approach Him!

I’ll close by sharing the only other instance this word metamorphoó is used: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” Romans 12:2 (NIV).

In all reality, this is the greatest miracle in all the world: that wretched, unworthy sinners are saved and transformed in Christ. And as we see here, like a butterfly, when we receive Jesus, the radiance of Christ dwells in us. And as we listen to Him and grow in relationship with Him, the butterfly radiance of Christ in us comes out of us as we “who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV).

Pause: Why did Jesus allow these three disciples to see this scene?

Practice: Ask yourself, “How is the glory of Christ shining through me? Am I shining the light of Christ more now than I did when I first came to know Him?” Consider how you can continue to grow daily in Him so He may shine through you in ever-increasing measures.

Pray: Father, thank You for Your Son, the light who is the light of all mankind. Thank You that in Christ, because of His life, death, and resurrection, I can now come near to You and be found in You and be Your beloved child. Thank You for Your indwelling presence. Father, I ask today that the radiance of Jesus would shine a little more today than it did yesterday as I grow in Your grace and truth, and that this radiance of Jesus would shine more and brightly through me every day for Your glory and the advancement of Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.