The fourth Sunday of Epiphany – February 2, 2025

 

Scripture reading: Gen 1:26-28, Col 1:15; 3:9-10

 

Introduction

  • Last week, we examined Luke 9: 28-36: the transfiguration of our Lord (cf. Mt 17:2; Mk 9:2). We saw that the word “transfiguration” is metamorphoo, meaning “to transform or change into another form.” We noted it is used just 4x in the NT, twice of Jesus (cf. Mt 17:2; Mk 9:2); twice of us (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 3:18).
  • Today I want to look at the biblical teaching concerning our transfiguration, because it highlights an aspect of our salvation American Christians often miss: i.e., the recreation of the “image of God” in us.

Brief review of our Lord’s transfiguration

  • In the transfiguration accounts, Jesus’ body became radiant with God’s glory (Lk 9:29).
  • It wasn’t something new being added to him but more like a peeling back of his skin, for a few seconds, to reveal what lay underneath: his divine nature (Col 2:9).
  • Before he came into the world as a baby, the Son radiated God’s glory (John 17:5).
  • After he left the earth and returned to heaven, he radiated God’s glory (Heb 1:3).
  • It was only during his thirty-three years on earth in a humble, unexalted state that he didn’t radiate God’s glory. Why? See Rom 8:3.
  • So, Jesus’ transfiguration was a momentary exposure of what had been there all along. And it had several effects: previewed Jesus’ coming glory and ours; portrayed Jesus’ fulfillment of the old covenant; put the dark powers on notice he was coming for them.

Brief outline of our transfiguration

  • We humans were made in the “image of God” to reign over the earth (Gen 1:26-28).
  • By turning away from God (Gen 3, 6, 11), we damaged our connection to God (who is Light, Life, Love) and the image of God became distorted in us (Gen 6:5; Rom 3:10-18).
  • But God never abandoned his original plan for human god-like creatures to rule over the earth with him (cf: Rom 8:29). So, God sent his Son to atone for our sins and repair the damage it had done to our relationship with him. Then the Father and Son sent the Holy Spirit to live in us to begin restoring God’s image in us (Rom 8.3-8). Finally, the Father will send the Son to earth again to complete his work of restoring his image in us (Rom 8.23).
  • God’s transfiguring work historically has two parts: 1) sanctification, and 2) glorification.

Our incremental daily transfiguration

18 And we all, who with unveiled faces reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

– 2 Corinthians 3:18

  • Note: this is a process which is gradual and Spirit directed. It begins with conversion.
  • This step is traditionally called “sanctification” (Ln. sanctus) = holyfication (Heb 10:14).
  • When we put our trust in Jesus Christ, we are “born of the Spirit”: we acquire a new set of loves, desires, values; think differently, feel differently, behave differently (Jn 3.3-8).
  • This change is so profound that we are now a “new creation” (2 Cor 5:17). Our soul’s are made part of the New Order of things; our bodies are still part of old order.
  • God is in us in seed form. His influence in us must grow. This takes time (Gal 4:19).
  • How does it grow? Through new spiritual habits: prayer, worship, bible study, participating in church, fellowship, giving, serving, etc.
  • It begins with our “minds” (cf. Rom 12:1-2). “Mind” is nous = center of intellect, feeling, judging, determining, choosing. As our “minds” are transfigured, we become less of one type of being—a sinner—and more like another type of being—a “holy one” (or saint).
  • This is why we spend time with God, do bible studies, participate in church, fast, pray, practice solitude, generosity, service: to train ourselves to be like Jesus. We control this.

Our instantaneous final transfiguration

20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

 – Philippians 3:20-21:

  • This step is traditionally called “glorification” (or “deification” or “theosis” in the East).
  • When? When Jesus returns at his parousia, he will transform (metaschematitizo) our bodies to be like his own glorious body.
  • Note: this is an event that is instantaneous (1 Cor 15:51-52) and complete (1 Jn 3:2).; cf. Phil 1:6).
  • Our glorification is part of God’s larger cosmic transfiguring (Rom 8:19-22; Rev 21:1-4).

Takeaways

Two takeaways from Phil 2:12b-13: 1) Work: “Work out your salvation…” Phil 2:12b. It’s your job! Which “holy habits” do you need to adopt? 2) Trust: “…for it is God who is at work within you” Phil 2:13. It’s God’s job is to “work in you.” God works in; you work out.