Focus on the Light

Matthew 17:1-9

Transfiguration Sunday, February 15, 2026

Holy Trinity Cathedral

“Focus on the Light”

It’s been a dark week.  We need some light.  The right kind of light: which illuminates the way rather than blinding us.  Have you noticed that it is getting more difficulty to drive at night? Currently, there is some controversy regarding headlights on vehicles.  Older cars have quartz halogen bulbs.  More recent models have evolved to LED technology.  The new lamps are much more efficient, last longer, and are much brighter.  They shine light on the road in front of the car.  They also shine more brightly into oncoming drivers’ eyes or bounce blindingly off rear-view mirrors.  The purpose of running lights is to show others that you are on the road, not to make them crash off it! The focus has to be right.  God gets the disciples’ attention on the mountaintop.  The glory of the divine presence in Jesus gets magnified in what we call “transfiguration”.  By doing so, God focuses in Jesus for us to see salvation.

Jesus is not a character from the Harry Potter books.  He doesn’t change his form into something completely different at the molecular level.  Rather, transfiguration is a change in appearance to a more beautiful or spiritual state.  The encounter reveals what is already within, but had not been fully known or understood before.  In Matthew’s gospel, it is a transient mountaintop experience.  The revelation is specific to the time, place, and people present.  For those disciples, a “lightbulb” goes on.  Not only about who their Lord and Master is, but about what it means to be a believer in him.

In the early days of electricity, the meme for having an idea was a cartoon of an incandescent light bulb.  LED components are harder to draw, so the emoji still carries on with the same image.  Now in Jesus time, there was no electricity. Illumination was limited to candles and lamps and the sun in the sky.  So when Jesus is transfigured on the mountain before Peter and James and John, his face is described as shining like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.  But the light comes from within him; it is not reflected.  Rather, it is a demonstration of divinity suffusing his humanity.  The idea that Jesus is actually the divine Son of God is what his disciples come to terms with on the mountain.  They have to focus in on him in order not to be blinded by God’s glory.

Two visual aids come with the appearance of the figures of Moses and Elijah speaking with Jesus. Here are giants of their faith that represent the Law and the Prophets.  They symbolize the ways that God has already tried to guide humanity into truth.  Now Jesus works with, not against, the foundation that has been laid for God’s mission on earth.  Their Master is the one who will bring together all people to see the light. 

The setting on the mountain is important. A summit is a place where heaven and earth meet.  Humans can only get so far in their ascent and understanding.  God comes down in a bright cloud to make contact.  This has happened before. Moses received the ten commandments for the people of Israel on a holy mountain covered in smoke and flame.  Elijah hid on the mountaintop as the brightness of the Holy One passed before him and sent him to prophesy to the nations.  Now humans are permitted to see the glory of God focused in the Light of the World. Maybe you have had a mountaintop experience as well, when you suddenly can see farther and clearer than you did before.  It’s an awesome, and sometimes awful moment.

At this point, the disciples are overcome by the intensity of sight and sound.  Out of the cloud speaks a voice saying “this is my Son, the Beloved.  Listen to him.”  Now, where have we heard that before?  Well, you may be forgiven for missing it because it happened three years previously in the life of Jesus (although only a few weeks ago in the gospel readings). When John baptised Jesus in the Jordan at the beginning of his public ministry, that same affirmation was pronounced.  It is repeated now for the benefit of his disciples.  Their Lord is not just another teacher of the Law.  He is not just another prophet of the Word.  He is God’s only Son.  And they are not only be witnesses, but most importantly- to listen. 

At first they are afraid even to look up.  But Jesus touches them.  Everything that comes into contact with Jesus connects to his inner being and becomes reflective of his light. Even  his very clothes shone when he was transfigured.  His love and power flows into his followers.  He gives them the courage to face their fear and return with him down the mountain to the responsibilities and anxieties of the world.  They have to overcome their resistance at what Jesus has been teaching about suffering, loving-kindness, and sacrifice.  It will be a hard road if they are to walk with their Lord to Jerusalem.  They need to believe in his light and keep it their focus as they put one foot in front of the other. 

This is a time for them to remember and ponder what they have seen.  In the next few weeks they may long for the surety and safety that the mountaintop represents.  How much easier it would be to camp up there away from the conflict and pain of life!  Peter even suggested doing so, but their task is to grow brighter and more efficient in proclaiming the gospel by getting on with the work.  Jesus reminds them on the way back down that they do not yet fully understand the vision that has been given to them.  They are to keep listening and learning.  Not until they seen him resurrected will they be able to speak of the glory they have glimpsed.  

They are reminded of the danger in speaking too soon.  They don’t yet comprehend God’s plan for Jesus’ life or their own.  Sometimes speaking prematurely only confuses others or makes it harder for them to see the road.  Part of our path in being followers of Jesus is to listen and learn ourselves.  In growing deeper spiritually, we can be better light to those around us.  We learn not to offer our own wisdom or advice, but allow the Holy Spirit to shine through our words and actions.  When people look on us, our goal is to show what Christ is like, and him alone.  

Each of us needs times to draw close enough to be touched by glory.  It may not be on a mountaintop.  It may not be for long.  But those “slithers of gold”, as composer John Bell describes them, are what we can bring into the messiness and struggle of the everyday. They help us to see the next step on the path. And in doing so, they can help others focus on the light as well.

Today I awake, and God is before me,

At night as I dreamt, He summoned the day,

For God never sleeps but patterns the morning

With slithers of gold and glory in grey.

Today I arise and Christ is beside me,

He walked through the dark to scatter new light.

Yes, Christ is alive and beckons his people

To hope and to heal, resist and invite.

• “Today I Awake” by John Bell, Common Praise #9.