The Transfiguration of Our Lord - Matthew 17:1-9
 |
| Rise, and Have No Fear |
Matthew 17:1-9
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead."
This week's sketch based on the text of our Lord's Transfiguration is meant to reflect a turning point in our Church year when we enter Lent, a pensive and reflective time to focus on the price that God has paid for us in Jesus that culminates in the darkness of Good Friday, the time of waiting that is Holy Saturday, and the celebration of the Easter Resurrection. But right now, we are talking about the Transfiguration.
This sketch is an attempt to imagine the transitional moment as Moses and Elijah depart and Jesus comes down to touch the disciples while his face shining like the sun and dazzling white garments return to what eyes are accustomed to seeing (Hence, the places where shading would be are outlined, but I did not fill in the areas). Jesus alone is the light as His disciples hear a voice from above.
