Magnum Opus

Jesus…took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. …a cloud appeared and enveloped them... A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

Luke 9:28-34

 “Magnum opus”, meaning masterpiece or great work (Merriam Webster), is not a term that comes to my mind frequently. But when Erica Wiggenhorn called the transfiguration of Jesus a “magnum opus” moment in her study of Luke (Unexlainable Jesus, p.108) it caught my eye.

We humans attach the term to literary, musical, or artistic productions mainly; but what would God consider His “magnum opus”? I mean, look at all of creation “in the beginning” when the light encroached on the darkness, and the waters separated, and vegetation and creatures and birds thrived, and man and woman, in God’s “own image”, received the “breath of life” (Genesis 1&2). I can hardly imagine.  

And what about the Red Sea parting? or the manna from heaven? or the virgin birth of Jesus? to mention only a few.

Can you visualize Peter, James, and John up on that mountaintop with Jesus: the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. To see, to be privy to this conversation with Moses and Elijah—why, this confirms the plan, the culmination of the Law and the prophets at the proper time. To hear the Almighty speak from the cloud—could well be God’s showcase statement, His “magnum opus” verifying Jesus’ identity: “my Son”!

Amazingly the disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen (9:36). Not now, not yet, but imagine the sense it would make to them at the resurrection.

The things of this life will come together for us all in that day when God (will exalt Jesus) to the highest place and (give) him the name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).

That indeed will be God’s “magnum opus”!

Nancy P

All Scripture quotations are from the NIV Translation 1973, 1978, 1984, unless otherwise noted.