영원한 말씀

마태복음 17장1절-8절

엿새 후에 예수께서 베드로와 야고보와 그 형제 요한을 데리시고 따로 높은 산에 올라가셨더니
그들 앞에서 변형되사 그 얼굴이 해 같이 빛나며 옷이 빛과 같이 희어졌더라
그 때에 모세와 엘리야가 예수와 더불어 말하는 것이 그들에게 보이거늘
베드로가 예수께 여쭈어 이르되 주여 우리가 여기 있는 것이 좋사오니 만일 주께서 원하시면 내가 여기서 초막 셋을 짓되 하나는 주님을 위하여, 하나는 모세를 위하여, 하나는 엘리야를 위하여 하리이다
말할 때에 홀연히 빛난 구름이 그들을 덮으며 구름 속에서 소리가 나서 이르시되 이는 내 사랑하는 아들이요 내 기뻐하는 자니 너희는 그의 말을 들으라 하시는지라
제자들이 듣고 엎드려 심히 두려워하니
예수께서 나아와 그들에게 손을 대시며 이르시되 일어나라 두려워하지 말라 하시니
제자들이 눈을 들고 보매 오직 예수 외에는 아무도 보이지 아니하더라

창세기 1장26절 말씀에
하나님이 이르시되 우리의 형상을 따라 우리의 모양대로 우리가 사람을 만들고 그들로 바다의 물고기와 하늘의 새와 가축과 온 땅과 땅에 기는 모든 것을 다스리게 하자 하시고

누가복음 24장44절 말씀에
또 이르시되 내가 너희와 함께 있을 때에 너희에게 말한 바 곧 모세의 율법과 선지자의 글과 시편에 나를 가리켜 기록된 모든 것이 이루어져야 하리라 한 말이 이것이라 하시고

요한일서 4장9절 말씀에
하나님의 사랑이 우리에게 이렇게 나타난 바 되었으니 하나님이 자기의 독생자를 세상에 보내심은 그로 말미암아 우리를 살리려 하심이라

예수님께서는 그의 제자들 중 베드로와 요한, 야고보 만을 데리시고 높은 산으로 오르셨다. 이 산은 갈릴리에 있는 다볼산으로 추정된다. 그리고 그들이 보는 중에 거룩한 모습으로 변형(transfiguration)되셨다. 인간의 모습이 변형될 수 있을까?
우리는 간혹 범죄자의 얼굴에서 악마의 모습을 발견할 수 있었다고 말하며, 성경에서는 죽음을 앞둔 순교자 스데반의 모습이 변형되었다고 쓰여있다. "공회 중에 앉은 사람들이 다 스데반을 주목하여 보니 그 얼굴이 천사의 얼굴과 같더라"(사도행전 6장15절). 그러나 그때 예수님의 제자들이 본 것은 얼굴의 모습 뿐이 아니었다. 입고 계셨던 옷도 변화되었다.

그 때에 모세와 엘리야가 예수와 더불어 말하는 것이 그들에게 보였다. 모세는 누구인가 그는 하나님께 율법을 받아 이스라엘 백성에게 주신 분이다. 엘리야는 누구인가 그는 선지자 말라기가 마지막 때에 하나님의 임재가 임박함을 알릴 것이라고 예언되었던 인물이다.
모세와 엘리야는 하나님의 율법과 선지자들을 상징하고 있는 것처럼 보인다. 베드로는 정신이 혼미하여 제 정신을 차릴 수가 없었다. 자기가 무슨 말을 하고 있는지를 몰랐다.

그때, 빛난 구름이 그들을 덮으며 구름 속에서 소리가 나서 이르시되 "이는 내 사랑하는 아들이요 내 기뻐하는 자니 너희는 그의 말을 들으라" 하시는지라
이 땅에 계신 예수님을 두고 하늘에 있는 아버지, 하나님께서 예수님의 제자들에게 말씀하셨다. 이는 내 사랑하는 아들이라 하셨다. 하나님(Godhead) 본체를 이루는 두 품격(person) 중 두 위가 동일한 공간에 계셨던 것이다.

예수님의 놀라운 실체가 제자들에게 보인 순간이었다.

예수님이 제자들을 흔들어 깨우셨을 때 그들은 제 정신으로 돌아왔다.
예수님께서만 홀로 남으신 것이다.

[NIV]
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters-- one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."  While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

[KJV]
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 was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias 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 Elias. 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.