Face Shining Like the Sun
Matthew 17:1-6 (NKJV) 1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.
My father died October 30, 1971 from lung cancer. But eighteen months before he died, I came home from work to find Daddy unconscious and Mama frantic. I called his doctor whose office was just three blocks from our house. He refused to come, so I called my pastor who helped me get Daddy to the old VA Hospital.
In 1970 the other hospitals had vending machines for cigarettes, but not the VA. So the next morning, I stopped and bought Daddy some cigarettes. I entered the room, and Daddy’s face was shining like the sun. I handed him the cigarettes and he said, “I don’t want them, sugar baby. God touched me and I don’t want them anymore.” After smoking cigarettes for over forty years, Daddy gave up smoking cold turkey. That has been fifty-three years ago, and I can still his face, reflecting the very light of God.
When Jesus had Peter, James and John accompany Him to the mountaintop, He revealed the glory He had kept hidden. Why? Jesus knew His time was short, and these three disciples needed to carry the impact of Christ’s divinity with them for the rest of their lives.
May we treasure our mountaintop experiences with the Risen Savior even as we descend to the valley where most of life is lived, knowing that our personal transformation can only come through a saving relationship with Jesus.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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