Snow Blind
The highest mountain in Israel is Mount Hermon. It has majestic, snowcapped peaks with an elevation exceeding 9,000 feet. Its Arabic name means "snowy mountain." It has a ski resort which attracts around 300,00 visitors each winter.
It is mentioned over a dozen times in the Old Testament. Some scholars believe Mount Hermon was the site of Jesus’ transfiguration, though none of the Gospel accounts names the place.
In Mark's account, he writes:
Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"
Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. (Mark 9:2-8)
It is interesting that "white as snow" is the term used to describe Jesus. It is like when the sun comes out after a snowstorm and everything is blindingly bright.
A similar experience happened to Moses when he went up another mountain, Mount Sinai, to get the Law.
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. (Exodus 34:29)
At the mount of Transfiguration, Moses was there representing the Old Law (the Torah), and Elijah representing the words of the prophets (Nevi’im). Peter was wanting to honor all three: Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. But God told the disciples to listen to Jesus. God elevated the teachings of Jesus above those of Moses and the prophets.
We see this challenge continue through the rest of the New Testament as Judaizing Christians tried to include parts of the Old Law. They did not fully realize that Moses and the prophets were just shadows of Jesus and His words.
In the beginning of Revelation, we see Jesus described as:
His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. (Revelation 1:14-16)
Notice again the brightness like snow and His words as sharp as a sword. It is because of His sacrifice that we have forgiveness.
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18)
-Jay Crook