That's My Boy!

“For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne  to by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased’” (v17).

The great philosopher and theologian Bill Cosby talks about what it was like watching his own son play football. “Yes, that’s my boy. See that boy running the touchdown with the name ‘Cosby’ on the back? That’s my son. I would have done it myself, but I’m too old now. So I gave him the business. He’s in charge of running touchdowns.” In many ways, that’s very similar to what God the Father said to Peter, James and John that incredible meeting on the mountain. In his sequel, the apostle flashes back to remind us of what they saw and heard. They heard Jesus’ Dad as the proud Papa. 

That’s My Boy!

Pete’s talking about what theologians call the Transfiguration. That jaw-dropping moment when Jesus literally began to shine. This is a spectacular sneak preview of the God-Man’s heavenly glory. If that’s not enough, two OT superstars showed up. We’re talking Moses and Elijah. Yeah, a pair of real prophetic heavy hitters. This supernatural summit shows is such a big deal that three of the four Gospel writers shine their spotlight on it (Mt 17:1-8; Mk 9:2-8; 9:28-36). It makes you wonder just how this impacted Jesus’ inner circle as He headed for Jerusalem and His death on a Roman cross.

Pete describes how Jesus “received honor and glory” from His heavenly Dad. The Greek word for “honor” means respect, worth and recognition. God the Father lets us know that His Son is a Big Deal. As a matter of fact, there are none bigger. Jesus is the Biggest Deal! The apostle recalls how Christ also receives “glory” at the Transfiguration. The word in the original language is doxa. It means radiance, brightness, splendor, majesty, remarkable appearance or shining. He’s talking about how Jesus began to glow and dazzle while they were there. So when Jesus was transfigured, it was His Dad that did it! In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term for “glory” is kabod. It describes a heaviness, weightiness or importance. When He makes His Son shine, Father God says that Christ has gravitas. He’s a Big Deal. A VERY Big Deal. He’s one very proud Papa.

That’s My Boy!

At this point, the former fisherman drops a very curious description of the heavenly voice. It’s “the Majestic Glory.” He uses the same word (Gr. doxa) but adds the adjective megaloprepes. It’s a compound word that literally means “mega-shiny” and “super conspicuous.” It’s the one and only time the term is used in the entire Bible. When you flip over to Matt’s take on what happened that day, “the Majestic Glory” is most the “bright cloud that overshadowed them” (Mt 17:5). The majestically glorious Voice came from the majestically glorious cloud. The One speaking is splendid. The One speaking is  excellent. The One speaking is sublime. The Mega Glorious One is busting at the seams with pride over His Son. 

That’s My Boy!

What exactly did the very proud heavenly Dad say about His Son? “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased” (v17). This is exact quote Matt’s Gospel uses (Mt 17:5). God makes it clear that radical Rabbi/Carpenter isn’t just anybody’s son. He’s HIS Son! He’s the one and only Son of God! The Father doesn’t even try to contain His overflowing parental passion for His Son by announcing that Jesus is His “beloved” (Gr. agapetos). It literally means someone who’s on the receiving end of agape. The term also describes one who is a favorite, worthy of love, esteemed and lovable. No one loves Jesus more His very own heavenly Dad. But God doesn’t just love His Son because He has to. He’s “well pleased” (Gr. eudokeo) with everything about Him. He absolutely enjoys being around Him. The Father takes divine delight in His Son. This is a glimpse at the incredible friendship and fellowship in the Holy Trinity. There’s no closer relationship in the history of the universe than what we find in the Father, Son and Spirit. The love of the Godhead spills over the heavenly dam at the Transfiguration. God the Father is cheers on His Son. He wants the world to know just who He is and what He’s done.

That’s My Boy!