Transfigured or transformed

Published by admin on Thu, 02/12/2026 - 8:00am
By: 
Cathy Bayert

When Moses went up on Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 24-35), the mountain looked like it had been burning and was enveloped in smoke or a cloud. God met Moses there and gave him the tablets with the commandments written on them but when he returned to the people they had made a golden calf and worshiped it. So Moses in anger broke the tablets and went back up on Sinai where God gave him the second set and when he returned from God’s presence he was transfigured. His countenance was glowing and frightening so he put a veil on his face so the people would not be afraid.

Similarly when Jesus went up on the mountain with Peter and James and John. God met them there and Jesus’ face was transfigured and shone. (Matthew 17:2, Mark 9:2, and Luke 9:28-36). The people did not run away from him, but he was changed. He set his face (Luke 9:51) toward Jerusalem and the completion of his redemptive mission: the cross and the resurrection

In like manner we are not to be conformed to this world and live like others who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13) we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:1-2) focusing on the words of eternal life (John 6:68) which Jesus spoke repeating and imitating his father. (John 6:63). By internalizing the words like a spring of water bubbling up in our inmost being (John4) we renew our minds (1 Corinthians 2:16) into the mind of Christ. We are transformed into the likeness of our savior and Lord. (James 1: 23-25). Casting aside the sin which so easily besets us (Hebrews 12:1) and yielding to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit so that not only are our own lives (Philippians 3:10) transformed but signs and wonders are done in the name of the holy one of Israel. (Acts 4:30) The lives of those we meet are also transformed

The glory that rested on Moses and Jesus which changed their appearance, their countenances will also change ours. Time spent in God’s presence is life changing.

(Cathy Bayert is pastor of Greybull First Baptist Church.)

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