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Face the Face |
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Article by Tom Gilbert — August, 2007
Have you ever met someone who could light up a room with their radiant
expression?
Most of us are more familiar with grumpy expressions. Nobody
likes a sourpuss, but let’s face it, with all the stress
and anxiety many of us deal with on a regular basis it is not
uncommon for us to walk around with a stern face. We shouldn’t,
I know, but we do.
In Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians he speaks of
how in our earthly lives what we see is but a poor reflection, “as
in a mirror”, but that when we die and meet the Lord “we
shall see face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12). I think
Paul was referring to how we don’t see the Divine Indwelling
clearly in our daily lives. But God is inside us and God can
radiate a light through us to others.
Jesus had a few disciples that he chose to walk with him and
learn from him. Among those twelve apostles were three we might
call the “inner circle”. It seemed Jesus wanted
Peter, John and his brother James to experience certain special
moments. One day on a mountain where Jesus Christ went to pray
he took these three men along with him. There he revealed to
them his bright and shining divine face in what we call the
Transfiguration. Three of the Gospels record this (Matthew
17:1-3; Mark 9:1-3; Luke 9:27-29). Luke’s gospel tells
us that “as he was praying, the appearance of his face
changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.” Furthermore,
two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking
with Jesus.
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It might be hard for us to imagine the impact of this event
on the three apostles. Moses and Elijah were highly revered by the Jewish
people. Both Old Testament prophets were prominent in the scriptures and
their appearance woke up the sleepy Peter and his companions. They must
have been quite overwhelmed by it all. Peter even remarked to Jesus that “Master,
it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for
you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (Luke 9:33). It’s interesting
that the writer of Luke mentions that Peter did not know what he was saying.
If we read deeper into this perhaps we are to recognize how
any of us, in the company of a great spiritual revelation,
need to merely be in humble awe and maybe even keep our mouths
shut. I can’t say I blame Peter for his response. But
there was something happening that went well beyond the day
to day experience of the apostles, even with all they were
witnessing from the Lord (miracles, healing and teaching).
They were getting a preview of Jesus Christ, Lord and God,
in radiant glory. They were seeing face to face.
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Other Shining Moments
The Transfiguration of Jesus is not completely
unique in the Bible. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai
with the two tablets of the Testimony (Exodus 29) his face
was radiant. And he wasn’t aware of it, but it caused
fear in the Israelites. The Bible records that his face was
radiant because Moses had spoken with God.
Then there is Stephen, another early fervent disciple and one
of the first martyrs of the church (“a man full of God’s
grace and power” – Acts 6:8). He also had his face
change while he was debating religious leaders in the Sanhedrin.
They looked at him and saw that his face was like the face
of an angel (Acts 6:15). Did it shine with God’s love?
Apparently his face looked remarkable. What is the face of
an angel? We might speculate that it shines.
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If we let go to God’s great love and follow Jesus and truly align our
wills with the Holy Spirit’s inspiration we are bound to be full of
grace. That grace, love and faith will be evident, both in our actions and
in our face.
What do others see in your face? Can they see enthusiasm, compassion and
joy?
A radiant face full of the love of God must be a powerful and inspiring thing.
Consider yourself blessed if you see it. You and I are not likely to encounter
such a thing as a common occurrence in our lives. Still, we can let love
shine in our faces; we can, as the hymn goes, let our light shine (This
little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine).
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Tom Gilbert is a writer seeking to grow
spiritually and share his experience, faith and hope with others.
He is also the
Project Director of Living the Solution. You may reprint this
article in its entirety as long as you give credit and a link
back to www.livingthesolution.com.
Tom also requests that you
email him if you use this article.
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible,
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973, 1978,
1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout
the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks
of International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for
the offering of goods or services requires the prior written
consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible,
New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission
of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All
rights reserved.
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JAMES 1:22-24
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"Do not merely listen
to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it
says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and,
after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets
what he looks like."
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(NIV)
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