Transfiguration Sunday

This painting is of The Transfiguration of Jesus. The Catholic Church celebrates Transfiguration Sunday on the second Sunday of Lent (February 21 this year), whereas the Methodists (and possibly other Protestant denominations) celebrated it on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday (February 7 this year).

The Transfiguration of Christ is one of the five milestones in Jesus’ life and ministry, along with His Baptism, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension. With the manifestation in the event of Elijah, Moses and the audible voice of God, Jesus, in that instant, is shown to be the bridge between God and man, the fulfillment of the Prophets (represented by Elijah) and the fulfillment of the Law (represented by Moses). His three closest disciples are there to witness the event for a most important reason. Jesus will soon be leaving them, and up to that point, they had not yet fully grasped who He was. Witnessing and experiencing this event would sear His identity as their Messiah and the Son of God into their beings, and prepare them for what was to come.

There is no way for an artist to paint, or even to describe in words, the Light that would have emanated from Jesus, so I had to settle for stark light and dark on the faces and clothing of Elijah and Moses, and have them turn away from Jesus because of the brightness.

Scriptural references:

2 Peter 1:16-18 (Eyewitness of Christ’s Glory)

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

Matthew 17:1-8

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

E.J. Lefavour

www.hobbithousestudio.com