The Purpose of Christ: The Lamb of God
Today, we continue our reflection on Jesus as God. Over the past few days, we've shown that the Holy Scriptures, from both the Old and New Testaments, affirm that Christ is God in human form. He came into the world with a specific purpose: to serve as the sacrificial Lamb of God, paying the sin debt for all who believe in Him.
Jesus once took three of His disciples to a mountain. While there, they saw a remarkable event involving Christ, known as the Transfiguration. The Bible describes it as follows:
The Mystery of the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8)
2And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only (Mark 9:2-8).
Mark employs the Greek word "Metamorphoo" to depict the transformation Jesus underwent, which the three disciples observed. This word is translated into English as "transfigured" (v. 2). The English term "metamorphosis" is derived from this Greek root, commonly used to describe a caterpillar's evolution into a butterfly. It signifies a change in form, location, or state of something — or, in this context, Someone. Through this, God revealed to the three disciples the true nature of Jesus, showcasing His divine glory.
Let’s look at a passage that clarifies what was happening. Paul the Apostle, addressing the church at Philippi, describes Christ as follows:
The Humility of God: The Meaning of 'Kenoo'
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness (Philippians 2:6-7).
The Greek term translated as "made himself nothing" is "Kenoo." This word means to make empty, be without content, be ineffectual, render insignificant, and cause to be irrelevant. The mystery of the Gospel is that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). When Jesus left heaven and the glory He shared with the Father, He became fully human to give Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice, willingly accepting the limitations of humanity without abandoning His divine nature.
Our Future Glory: The Promise of Spiritual Transformation
While Jesus became a man, He was and remains fully God. During the transfiguration, the disciples not only saw Christ as He truly is but also Moses and Elijah in their glorious, spiritual states beyond the flesh. This transformation, or metamorphosis, will also happen to believers in Christ. Jesus encouraged the disciples that by denying themselves, they would experience an inner glory from God, which would be revealed in the future, similar to what they saw in Elijah and Moses. The process of God working within us—shaping and molding our spiritual inner life—will eventually be visible outwardly. What a glorious time that will be!
Application: God’s only instruction on the mountain was: "Listen to Him." Take five minutes of silence today to simply sit with Jesus and ask, "Lord, what are You saying to me?"
Keith Thomas
Continue Your Journey…
Have you ever dedicated your life to Christ? What does it mean to be a Christian? The following study links will help you: Why Did Christ Die? Or another one, How Do I Become a Christian?
YouTube video teachings at: https://www.youtube.com/@keiththomas7/videos