Stoke the Fire Behold the Son of God

Behold the Son of God

¹ After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ² There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³ Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. ⁴ 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.’ ⁵ 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!’ ⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground, terrified.⁷ But Jesus came and touched them. ‘Get up,’ he said. ‘Don’t be afraid.’⁸ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. Mat 17:1-8

The transfiguration, as this story is called, happens six days after Jesus has been telling his disciples about his imminent death and resurrection. The disciples are obviously stunned and afraid at this news. The main reason for the transfiguration was to remind them and to let them see in a new way who Jesus is. This was to reassure them. They had only ever seen him as a man. Though he had done many amazing things, they had never seen him in his glorified state. Now they saw him partly glorified.

In addition to seeing the glory, they also heard for themselves, the voice of God affirming Jesus as his Son that he loves and in whom he is pleased.

Over the last few days, we as a family have been looking at these same amazing stories of the things Jesus did while on earth. Every single one has ended in exactly the same way, in declaring that Jesus is God’s Son. If my kids have ever doubted that fact, know they know it.

God was explicit with that and he would like you and me to know that in our hearts. When we call out to Jesus, we are calling out to the Son of God and as the Son of God, in us and through us, he is able to do amazing things. This is a key underlying truth for our faith. So today declare it as you pray it in thank and with faith: “Jesus is the Son of God!”