 | The Reverend Doctor Cathy Northrup was born in Ft. Meade, MD, and was raised in a variety of places in the United State and Germany, as her father was in Counter Intelligence with the Army. She graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, with a double major in English and Religion. She graduated from Georgetown Law Center in Washington, DC, and practiced law with the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years before attending Union Theological Seminaryin Richmond, VA. She graduated from Union, and served several churches in North and South Carolina, at the same time obtaining her Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ. Dr. Northrup is currently the Pastor/Head of Staff of First Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS. She is married and has two black Labrador dogs who were rescued from abusive situations. You can contact Dr. Northrup at cnorthrup@firstpresbywichita.org or by phone at (316) 263-0248, ext. 26. |
Religion
2009-04-01 14:39:00
Purpose behind the Transfiguration
Question: My question deals with the Transfiguration. Most of the things I read about in the Bible or have heard our pastor discuss, I can understand why the event occurred. I cannot however understand the purpose behind the Transfiguration. As He did with our Lord’s Baptism, God the Father let us know this was His beloved Son in Whom He was well pleased, but other than that…why did this event occur?
Answer: You are not alone in not quite understanding the significance of the Transfiguration. First of all, we pastors often do not talk about it, for a variety of reasons. Second, it is an event unlike any other which is difficult to comprehend.
The Transfiguration describes an event which occurred when Jesus took Peter, James, and John, the three disciples who were closest to him, with him to a high mountain. The name of the mountain is not mentioned, so it seems not to be important; it is significant that they go up, however, closer to heaven, if you will. On the mountain, Jesus’ form was changed before their eyes. It is described that his face shone like the sun, his clothes became dazzling white, and Elijah and Moses appeared with him. God then said, ‘This is my Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!” God is clearly speaking not to Jesus, as he was at his baptism, but to Peter, James, and John.
The event’s purpose thus seems to be for Peter, James, and John. First, it confirms who Jesus is. The three disciples are given a glimpse of who Jesus truly is, a glimpse of his true glory. They also hear directly from God in words who Jesus is and that they should listen to him. Second, it confirms who Jesus is not. He is not, as some say, Elijah and Moses returned, for they appear with him. Third, the event comes shortly after Peter has confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, but also after Peter has had difficulty accepting Jesus’ predicted suffering and death. Therefore, it occurs to give encouragement to the three disciples. That Jesus tells Peter, James, and John not to tell anyone about the transfiguration until after he has been raised from the dead appears to confirm this. Finally, perhaps the transfiguration is also a hint of Jesus’ coming again in glory at his second coming.
