Be A Witness Of Jesus’ Transfiguration

This morning our worship service is focused on a single event from Jesus’ life. Through the hymns have sung and will sing, through our Scripture readings, and now in our sermon together we are considering the details and the meaning of our Savior’s transfiguration.

Before we look more closely at our Gospel Lesson for this Sunday from Matthew 17, I have a question for you to consider. What did Jesus’ transfiguration mean for each of the six people mentioned in Matthew’s account of the event? Perhaps let me ask the same question in a slightly different way. For whose benefit was Jesus’ transfigured? Let’s start with Jesus. Was this occasion a way for God the Father to strengthen his Son for his upcoming suffering and death? Or was Jesus transfigured for the benefit of the other five people that witnessed it. Following up with that thought let’s consider what Jesus’ “metamorphosis” might have meant for Moses and Elijah. They were already experiencing the glory of heaven. But did they benefit from the conversation with Jesus about his suffering and death? (We know the content of their conversation from Luke’s Gospel. Luke tells us that Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus about his upcoming “departure.”) I think you can perceive where this line of reasoning leads us. The target audience, if I can call them that, for Jesus’ transfiguration seems to have been the three disciples—Peter, James, and John.

Certainly, Jesus’ transfiguration would have strengthened Jesus for awaited him in Jerusalem. And, of course, Moses and Elijah, would have enjoyed that special moment with their Savior. But ultimately the disciples were the ones who needed this. And, brothers and sisters, they aren’t the only disciples that need this special revelation about Jesus. We too need to witness this event. Although we must see it by faith and not by sight, the transfiguration is meant for us. In our sermon this morning let’s look more closely at what this one event from the life of Jesus says to each of us. As we peel back the layers, so to speak, of Jesus’ transfiguration, let’s use this thought as the theme for our sermon together this morning.

“BE A WITNESS OF JESUS’ TRANSFIGURATION”

I. It confirms his identity

II. It confirms his mission

III. It confirms his message

When we hear of Peter’s proposal to preserve the moment by building shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah we can conclude that he really didn’t understand what the transfiguration meant. He was distracted by the brilliant revelation of Jesus’ glory. In our Gospel Lesson for today Matthew tells us, “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.” So what exactly happened to Jesus? That question may be easier to ask than to answer. The divine nature of Jesus was revealed in some miraculous way. He was transformed (the Greek word is metamorphosis). Speaking of the original language of the New Testament of the Bible it tells us that Jesus didn’t transfigure himself for his own glory. In the language in which Matthew wrote the verb is passive. Jesus was “transfigured” by his Father. Once again, it may have been a source of encouragement for Jesus. And it may have been a special blessing for Moses and Elijah. But it was the disciples that would have most benefitted from Jesus’ transfiguration.

I.

As I said a moment ago, the wider context of these verses helps us understand what Jesus’ transfiguration meant for the disciples and what it means for us. Matthew told us this happened, “after six days.” What happened the week before Jesus was transformed on the mountain? Matthew tells us Jesus had asked his disciples who people thought he was. You may recall their answer. “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” And you may also recall what Jesus asked them as a follow up question. “But what about you?” Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” Peter gave the correct answer. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” That confession of who Jesus was and that statement about his true identity would be challenged when the disciples saw what was about to happen to him. He wouldn’t look like the Christ when he was wearing a crown of thorns and he was nailed to a cross. When his lifeless body was placed in a tomb it would not appear as though he was the “Son of the living God.”

This reminds of why the disciples needed to be with Jesus for his transfiguration. It confirmed his identity for the disciples. They witnessed the fact that Jesus of Nazareth was the almighty Son of God. Within the confines of a normal human body God was walking and talking with them. Although to their eyes he was limited by time and space he was also present everywhere. Even though he appeared to be just a part of creation he was the Creator of everything. Even when death would seem to conquer him, he would be in complete control.