Is Your Mind Glowing?

A Mind Map. Start Thinking Differently.

What do you suppose Jesus looked like when He was transfigured? As descriptive as Matthew chapter 17 is, I still have unanswered questions. 

We know that Moses had a similar glow after coming from the presence of God (Exodus 34:30). This “glory” was seen at various other times during biblical history and seems to indicate the presence or authority of divinity. 

There was a fundamental difference between what Moses experienced and what Jesus experienced. Moses’ face glowed because he was in the presence of God. The reason Jesus glowed was not because the Father was in the area. Jesus was transfigured. He went through a kind of metamorphosis. He revealed the glory of God to His disciples.

This was such an important event that Peter wrote about it later in his life in 2 Peter 1:16-21. Peter reported that they were “eyewitnesses of His majesty” on that day (verse 16). I’m sure it was an incredible experience.

The word “transfigured” used by Matthew is metamorphoo. It is where we get the word, metamorphosis. Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” The word “transformed” is also metamorphoo. The same word is used in both places. Is that significant? Is it a coincidence?

I don’t think it can be explained by coincidence. Jesus transfigured into divine glory. Aren’t we also able to transform into similar glory? Obviously bodies will not literally glow as we mature in Christ. If the glory Jesus exhibited was the divine nature of God being revealed, wouldn't we exhibit some kind of "glow" if we partake in that divine nature? At least symbolically that must be true as we metamorphoze our minds. What is it the end of that metamorphosis?  

It seems that Jesus’ transfiguration and our transformation were what Peter had in mind when he wrote 2 Peter 1:3-4. “His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature....”

Don’t miss the importance of those two verses. We are able to share in the divine nature of God. As we consider Romans 12:2, we can see that we can transform our minds similarly to the way Jesus transfigured His body. In a sense, our thinking can “glow” because it is transformed into the divine nature. 

Shouldn’t this knowledge affect us? 

Maybe it’s just an intellectual point of discussion for some, but not for me. It's also not a metaphysical exploration on my part. I am aware of the symbolism that is being expressed in our metamorphosis. However, the glory of the Lord shining in the face of Peter made an impact. Peter, John, and James saw the Savior in a new light.

Does anyone see your mind as something different? Or do you tend to think like everyone else in this world?

Is your mind “glowing” from God’s presence? 

Meditate on that idea for a while and see what you come up with. Share your thoughts below! 

Here are some points that jump out at me.

1. Read the Bible, not just books that explain the Bible.
2. Stop dimming your "mental glow" by putting bad things in it.
3. When you speak, people ought to know that there is something different about the way you think if you are a Christian.
4. Stop asking PEOPLE what to think about different topics and start asking GOD what to think about them.
5. If you have not read the Bible all the way through, you cannot know how to think according to the divine nature. It is not natural. It must be learned. (That does not mean salvation is impossible, especially if you are new to the Word. The more you learn the more you grow. God's grace fits in somewhere.)