Ephesians 1: 11 -14 describes praise for the assurance of believer’s heritage. Christians praise God, the one who predestined them according to his purpose. Verse 12 states that those who place their hope in Christ will be for God’s glorious praise. Therefore, God receives honor from humankind, when they are redeemed from sin. More specifically, as believers hope in Christ, they become a praise instrument for the glory of God.
God’s glory is not limited to his redemptive power in Christian’s lives, but is also revealed in his Son. The triple tradition (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) describes the transfiguration of Christ. In this description, the transfiguration identifies the glory of Christ. Mark states that Jesus transforms and his garments become dazzlingly white. On the other hand, Matthew and Luke, includes the identification of Jesus’ face changing. Matthew uses the term, shone like the sun, while Luke states his face became different. Matthew’s usage of shone translates to the Greek lexicon of λάμπω. Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines the term as “to give the light of a torch” and “to shine as a torch”. Matthew’s usage of the verb also correlates to Jesus shining with his own heavenly glory. In essence, the earthly dullness disappears and the true nature of God’s beloved Son now appears. On the contrary, Luke describes Jesus’ face transforming by identifying the change in his countenance. Luke uses the Greek term, ἕτερος. The Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines the term in this context as “other, indicating either numerical distinction or generic distinction, different in character”. Luke’s wording personifies the Old Testament and Jewish tradition that one’s countenance mirrors one’s heart and thereby manifests one’s relationship with God. Therefore, Jesus’ facial transformation coupled with his physical transformation reveals the transparency of his inner being. Like Matthew, Luke declares the manifestation of Christ’s glory during his transfiguration.
The transfiguration reveals the manifestation of Christ’s glory. This glory represents the true nature of God in his Son and reflects Christ’s relationship with God. In addition, Christians are called to praise God’s glory. Therefore, do we praise him for his redemptive power found in his Son.
