2013 August 6 - light up the darkness

2013 August 6 - light up the darkness

While he was praying his face changed in appearance 
and his clothing became dazzling white.

The face of Christ reveals the glory of God (cf. 2 Cor 4:6).  No one can see God's face and live (cf. Exo. 33:20).  No one, that is, except his only Son who makes him known (cf. Joh. 1:18).  We see just how he makes him known in the transfiguration.

He doesn't come to bring head knowledge about God.  He is fairly indifferent to that intellectual scene.  He participates in it when we see him as a twelve year old discussing with the teachers who are "amazed at his understanding and his answers."  But ultimately he rejoices that the Father hides his revelation from the "wise and learned" and reveals them to children (cf. Mat 11:25).

He comes to reveal the Father's face, not so much his facts.  It is so personal!  A fact is something you must think about.  But you can gaze on a face and the person is revealed.  It is relational.  Only once we enter into this personal revelation does knowledge have a place.  And such a revelation can only come through the face of Jesus revealing the Father's face.  It can't come through discourse or ideas.  That is why Jesus tells Philip that anyone who has seen him "has seen the Father" (cf. Joh 14:9).

The Son shares in the Father's glory.  It is for this reason that he is able to reveal the Father to us.

The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.

In selflessly revealing his Father's glory his very fittingness to do so reveals his own divinity and consubstantiality with the Father.

The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.

And the Father verifies this by speaking from Heaven.  It is a real and audible declaration that his apostles hear and to which they cling.

“This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

They know from it the full reality of the good news Jesus brings.  They know from the light which they see with their own eyes that only this good news can cast out the darkness of sin and death.