The Face of Jesus - Matthew 17-19

Matthew 17:1-3 (ESV)

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.

This is a report, by Matthew, about what is referred to as the transfiguration of Jesus.   Peter, James and John, went up a high mountain and what we read, above, happens.   In the following verses, Matthew will write that Jesus had a conversation with Moses and Elijah and a voice was heard from heaven that said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”    Peter, James and John were told not to report this event to anyone, until after Jesus ascended to heaven.   Apparently, this is when Matthew hears of it.   

Matthew reports that Jesus’ face shone like the sun.    It might be well for us to think about how Jesus face is portrayed in the Bible.  Note the following:

• He had no beauty to attract men to him:  Isaiah 53:2-3 (ESV). For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
• Peter would see Jesus’ face after he denied Jesus three times:   Luke 22:60-61 (ESV) But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”
• Jesus’ face would be abused by the guards during His crucifixion:     Matthew 26:67-68 (ESV) Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”
• John would see Jesus’ face when he was given the Revelation to give to the church:  Revelation 1:14 (ESV) The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, ...

Jesus’ face demonstrates His ministry to mankind.   Like all of us, our face displays our purpose.   In the transfiguration we see the face of Jesus as the sun as He shines light and hope to the world.   Peter saw his pain over sin.   The soldiers saw in His face, His purpose as the lamb of God.  Isaiah saw in His face His suffering.   John, in Revelation saw His coming judgment.  What face do we see Jesus?