Matthew 17:1-13
The Transfiguration
Let’s read Matthew 17 1-3
1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
It’s been six days since Jesus and the twelve disciples have left Caesarea Philippi. Jesus has now taken Peter, James and John led up a high mountain.
It’s is believed that Mount Hermon is where this event happened being the highest mountain in ancient Israel, boasting majestic, snowcapped peaks rising just over 9,000 feet above sea-level.
It is on this mountain that Peter, James, and John, the “inner circle” of leadership among the disciples witness the Transfiguration of Jesus. Now, what does it really mean to be transfigured?
We read that Jesus’ face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. I believe it’s like Jesus is translucent or semitransparent. Why do I say that?
Do you remember last week when God revealed to Peter who Jesus is? The Son of the Living God!
To understand how they connect we need to read John 4:24 “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
This Transfiguration, translucent or semitransparent is a glimpse into Jesus’ true identity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
That’s why Jesus said in John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.”
Then, Moses and Elijah show up, talking with Jesus.
I read this: Moses and Elijah represent the law and the prophets respectively, both of which had foretold Christ’s death. We can also say that Moses and Elijah represent those who are caught up to God (Moses at Jude 1:9 and Elijah at 2 Kings 2:11). More specifically, Moses represents those who die and go to glory, and Elijah represents those who are caught up to heaven without death (as in the rapture described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Remember, it’s been 1500 years since Moses died and nine hundred years since Elijah died. So, Moses and Elijah are alive and in some sort of resurrected, glorified state.
Let’s read Matthew 17:4-8
4 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.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
Isn’t it interesting that Peter, who is around 30 years old at this time, recognizes Moses and Elijah who’s been dead hundreds of years?
If this is any type of indication of what heaven is like, and I believe it is, we will recognize people throughout history that we’ve never met and people we have known all our lives. WHY?
Because first of all we will be in presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and two because according to 1 Corinthians 15 our bodies will be raised a spiritual body, imperishable, in glory, and in power. That means your body and brain will work like its never worked before. To that I say hallelujah!
When Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters, Mark 9:6 and Luke 9:33 point out that Peter didn’t know what he was saying when he said this.
I don’t really know what that means and what I studied it could mean several things that we don’t have tome to get into here and now.
But more importantly, it really doesn’t matter because while Peter was still talking God showed up to speak! Saying something more urgent for us to hear.
This is what God said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
Why did God speak?
Just six days ago, Jesus told his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Peter rebuked Jesus and Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
God spoke to reaffirm that He was glorified through Jesus' life, to reassure the disciples that Jesus was the Messiah, to strengthen the faith of apostles, to comfort and to prepare them for what lies ahead as spoken to them by Jesus. The voice of God was for their benefit and ours.
Read John 12:28-30 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine.
When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.
Notice that the disciples did not fall down when Jesus was transfigured before them or when His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light, or when Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.
When the voice of the Almighty God speaks to you, you can’t help but to be driven to your knees. You cannot stand before God.
Then look what happens next…………. Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”
The only way we can ever stand in the presence of God is by the powerful Word of Jesus Christ.
Let’s read Matthew 17:9-13
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” 10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
To help explain his I share something I read.
Jesus forbids telling others of his divine glory to prevent misunderstanding his mission until after his resurrection. The disciples ask why Elijah hadn't appeared before the Messiah's public ministry. Jesus explains that Elijah did come, referring to John the Baptist. He clarifies that just as Elijah was rejected by Jezebel, John was rejected by the people, showing the Messiah must suffer.
Why Peter James and John? I share this:
Peter James and John were the inner circle of Jesus most trusted friends.
James was the first disciple killed for his belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. When the disciples are mentioned Peter was the disciple always mentioned first, the first to confess Jesus is the Son of the living God. Preached at Pentecost where three thousand people came to the Lord. And John was know as the beloved disciple, the only one at the crucifixion of Jesus and the one entrusted to care for Jesus’ mother Mary and the longest living that was not killed for his belief in Christ.
Jesus used Peter James and John to fulfill the requirement of the law as read in Matthew 18:16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
Why the Transfiguration?
To fulfill what Jesus said to the disciples six days earlier in Matthw 16:28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Peter, James, and John saw Jesus in His glorified state high up on that mountain.