Bible Discourse 45 Peter’s Inspired Recognition of the Christ, and Jesus’ Transfiguration

Discourse 45

Peter’s  Inspired Recognition of the Christ, and Jesus’ Transfiguration

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”

And they said, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elijah: and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”

He saith unto them, “But whom say ye that I am?”

And Jesus answered and said unto him, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Then peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.”

But he turned, and said unto Peter, “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  For what is man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.  Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.”

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart. And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment white as the light.  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him.

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, “Arise, and be not afraid.”

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, “Tell me the vision to no man, until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead.”

And the disciples asked him, saying, “Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?”

And Jesus answered and said unto them, “Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed.  Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

                                                                   Matthew 16:13—17:13

Peter’s  Inspired Recognition of the Christ, and Jesus’ Transfiguration

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”

And they said, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elijah: and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”

He saith unto them, “But whom say ye that I am?”

And Jesus answered and said unto him, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.                                                               Matthew 16:13--20

Jesus’ question to his disciples, and his disciples’ reply clearly indicate the confirmation of law of incarnation during Jesus’ time. Jesus clearly enquired as to what Simon Peter thinks about him? Simon Peter said: I trust that you are an embodiment of Christ Consciousness, the only begotten Son.  Jesus responded: “You are blessed by your good karma and the grace of the Father.  Father has revealed unto you the truth about me. From the time of their first meeting in this incarnation, Jesus said to Peter that henceforth you will be known by the name,  the son of Jona, Peter, the rock. Pleased with Simon Barjona’s intuitive perception of the Chrisr in him, Jesus commended him and spiritually anointed him to become the preeminent leader of the early faithful congregation of devotees. “And I say unto you that thou art a rock. Your consciousness is one with the Father’s Cosmic Consciousness. ‘Thou art that’.    I will build a church of God Consciousness. The seeking souls will find God on the altar of divine communion of deep meditation.

Peter, devotees who are tuned to you are  tuned to me as well.   I leave the keys of divine union techniques with you.  You can give these techniques to any one who is ready and deserving to enter the kingdom of Cosmic Consciousness through your perception of Christ Consciousness. Whatever laws of super conscious living you shall give to discipline, ‘bind’, God seeking souls on earth will be those sanctioned by the Cosmic Consciousness, the Heavenly ‘Thou-Art-that’ consciousness, which you have realized within yourself.  ‘Upon this rock I will build my church’ indicates that Peter was his successor.

He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth Him that sent me.  Matthew 10:40

Jesus’ message was conveyed through many God knowing devotees. The fourth century Saint Anthony firmly said: I have seen Christ.   Medieval age Saint Francis of Assisi saw Christ in living form. Centuries later Saint Teresa of Avila taught true worship of Christ is deep  meditation only.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa  in November 1874:  He read Bible and was fascinated by the life and teachings of Jesus. One day his eyes were fixed on the painting of Madonna and child in Dakshineswar. Gradually the figures in the picture took on life. The rays emanating from them entered his soul. He criedout, O Mother, What are you doing to me? For three consecutive days he was possessed by Christ. He did not go to Kali temple for three days. On the fourth day he was walking in Panchavati. He saw a person with large eyes, fair skin, and serene countenance.  He cried out” behold the Christ, who shed his blood for the redemption of the world. It is Jesus, embodiment of Love. Ramakrishna and Jesus both merged together.  Ramakrishna realized his identity with Christ as he had realized his identity with Kali, Rama, Hanuman, Radha, Krishna, Brahman, and Mohammed.      Mahendra Nath Gupta, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna.

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Then peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.”

But he turned, and said unto Peter, “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”                                                                  Matthew 16:21—23

Jesus knew that Peter was dissuading him not to go to Jerusalem. Jesus knew he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things and finally has to be killed.  That is why he wanted to go with preparedness according to God’s plan, and Satan wanted to thwart Jesus to spoil the plan of God.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  For what is man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?                                          Matthew 16:24—26

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And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?                                                 Mark 8:34--37

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.                                John 12:25

Spiritual discipline is a prerequisite for attaining Christ Consciousness. Jesus said: The devotee must do meditation so as to rise above his physical self and reach my Christ Consciousness.  He must overcome daily trials and crucifixions. He may be tormented by multitudes of restlessness and distractions. The devotee who will ‘save his life’ for this body’s physical comforts shall ‘lose his life’ of temporary joys.  The devotee who is prepared to ‘lose his life for my sake’ has to give up bondage for attaining Christ Consciousness in deep meditation. ‘Any devotee who lives Christ life and preaches ‘for my sake and gospel’s shall attain immortality. Even if a man ‘gains the whole world’ shall gain nothing before Christ Consciousness. ‘The material man ‘lose his own soul’ in the mires of delusion.

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.  Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.”                                                   Matthew 16:27--28

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“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

And he said unto them, “Verily I say unto you, that there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.                                              Mark 8:38—9:1

Law of cause and effect i.e., karma governs the individual. Corresponding to the depth of meditation, the devotee gets the angelic joy in his Son of man consciousness meditation. As per his depth, the devotee may get luminous angelic forms, or may get the Darshan or appearance of liberated saints during his meditation. The devotee’s duty is to inspire other souls. People should be ashamed and must feel that they are not making sufficient effort to get the Christ Consciousness which exists within themselves. 

Jesus knew very well that his message may antagonize the polity and religious traditionalists. A soul who feels joy in other souls gradually feels himself as the Self of all. The soul who inspires other souls with his ecstasy is an expanding soul.  Finally it identifies with its omnipresence.  The real devotee helps the others to liberate.  This is divine law.

Jesus said: I truthfully declare that there are certain advanced devotees around me who are anxious and are ready to  make transition from ‘the Son of man kingdom’ consciousness and enter into ‘the kingdom of God’ within themselves.  

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart. And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment white as the light.  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him.

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, “Arise, and be not afraid.”

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

                                                                                 Matthew 17:1—8

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And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up in a mountain to pray.  And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elijah: who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.  But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles : one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”: not knowing what he said.

While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into a cloud.  And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son: hear him.”

And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone.                       Luke 9:28--36 

When Jesus was praying on the mountain top, he was consciously communing with Cosmic Consciousness. His disciples and everything appeared as delusive matter. It has vanished. His body transfigured into the glory of God’s light.

The Transmutation of bodily flesh into energy was also demonstrated in the Old Testament story of God speaking to Moses from a burning bush: “And the Lord said furthermore unto him, ‘Put now thine hand into thy bosom.’  And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.  And he said, ‘Put now thine hand into thy bosom again.’  And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.”   Exodus 4:6—7

At the Lord’s direction, Moses put his hand on his chest, over the fourth subtle cerebrospinal centre of life force (the heart, or doesal, center; anahata chakra), and his hand became charged with the astral life energy, the lifetronic prana, flowing from that centre.  “Leprous” refers to the scintillating and disintegrating solidity of atoms of the hand, which metamorphosed into a snowy white light.  His hand was no longer physical, but made of dancing atoms and glistening astral energy. By replacing his hand of pure energy on his chest, the materializing power of the life energy again reformed the hand into flesh.

The intensive prayer with fervent devotion and meditation leads to Samadhi and oneness with Cosmic Consciousness. Liberated Masters can at will leave their three body encasements, Physical, astral, and causal.

John the Baptist was Elijah in his past birth. He was beheaded. When Jesus was transfigured on the mountaintop, Elijah appeared incarnate along with him on the mountaintop. John was in complete liberation in Spirit.  Elijah was reborn as John as the Baptist to play a lesser role during the life time of Jesus. That is why he appeared as Elijah but not as John the Baptist. This the testimony that he was liberated when John the Baptist was Elijah incarnate. The relation between  Elijah and Jesus was spanned many incarnations.

Moses appeared also as he was the spiritual leader of Jews. Jesus was born among Jews. Moses has preached his message of salvation. The appearance of Moses and Jesus together shows their togetherness since many incarnations in spiritual path.

Moses the Master of the Jews, and Jesus the Master of Christians, appeared together on the Mount of Transfiguration, is meant to establish the harmony of the Jews and Christians and their brotherhood in God.

The vibrating voice of the Father and the celestial cloud that engulfed the three, John the Baptist, Jesus, and Moses, had a special message to the world through their unity.         

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, “Tell me the vision to no man, until the Son of Man be risen again from the dead.”

And the disciples asked him, saying, “Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?”

And Jesus answered and said unto them, “Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed.  Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

                                                                   Matthew 17:9—13

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And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

And they kept that saying with themselves,, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

And they asked him, saying, “Why say the scribes that Elijah must first come?”

And he answered and told them, “Elijah verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.  But I say unto you, that Elijah is indeed come, and they had done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.                         Mark 9:9—13

From the above words of Jesus, reincarnation truly exists. Reincarnation  can justify the inequalities the human race.  The disciples did not yet understand what Jesus meant by ‘rising from the dead.’  Also Elijah the prophet would come before the advent of Jesus will fortify this incarnation theory beyond doubt. Jesus predicted that his death would be similar to that of Elijah, reincarnated as John, will ascertain this incarnation theory. Jesus said: It has also been written in the scriptures how the Son of man, my physical self, would suffer many trials and find resistance from the people he would teach.

He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our inequities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.”                 Isaiah 53:3—5