Matthew 17:1-14
“JESUS ONLY”
The separation of the three
The speech of the two (represent the Law and the Prophets)
The sovereignty of the one
Six days before the events of our text, Jesus had dropped the bombshell that He would die and be raised the third day. We are not told what took place during that week. Whatever, happened it was a down time for the ministry. It was time that allowed a fear about the future to gain a foothold in the disciples’ heart.
Jesus whispers to Peter, James, and John, “Let us go find a quiet place to pray.” Jesus went up to pray. This certainly reminds us of His present ministry of intercession as our Great High Priest. As He prays, His face is altered. Surely in this He set us an example. As we pray, we too shall be changed.
Four men scaled Mount Hermon, but now two more men appear out of now where - men who have been gone for more that a thousand years. At first, Peter, James, and John, were unaware of what was happening, for Luke records they had been asleep. Perhaps they long journey had worn them out, and the rare moment of quiet and the beautiful setting had lulled them to sleep. When they awake Peter speaks. In His words, he blunders. According to Luke and Mark’s account of the event Peter’s preposterous suggestion about making three tabernacles or booths is regarded as “not knowing what he said.”
Peter was still stumbling on with his irresponsible nonsense when the mountain was suddenly wrapped with a bright cloud. Then came the Father’s voice putting an end to Peter’s blundering remarks, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.”
The disciples are overcome with the terror of the bright cloud and the sound of the voice from heaven, but Jesus comes and touches them. When they lift up their eyes they see now no man but Jesus only.
Peter blundered, but his blunder has become a great blessing to millions, for it has taught us that our eyes must be fixed upon Jesus and Him only.
I. The OBSTACLE to faith which man can BE
Our life and our lips can become an obstacle to the faith of others. What we say and do can become an hindrance to others. Paul is referring to this same thing in I Corinthians 9:12 when he says that he does not want to “hinder the gospel of Christ.”
Peter’s comments about building three booths was dishonoring to Christ. It was dishonoring of Christ in that it put Christ on the same level with Moses and Elijah. Christ is not to be on an equal to any man. He is above all men. NO substitute can ever replace the Son. NO superior can ever surpass the Son.
A. Man needs to be careful about distorting the image of Christ
Jesus is more than Moses and Elijah. Note the processions of ands by which Peter linked all three persons, as if to put Moses, Elijah, and Jesus on the same footing. Jesus is more than a man. He is the God-man. Peter distorts the image of Christ by putting on the same level as man. If Jesus be not God, then salvation through His blood is only a longed for fantasy, hope for this life is aa mockery, and Heaven is only a beautiful dream. BUT Jesus is God.
Jesus was God in the womb of the virgin Mary. Jesus was God in the manger of Bethlehem. Jesus was God in the carpenter’s shop at Nazareth. Jesus was God the boat on the Lake of Galilee. Jesus was God on the Mount of Transfiguration., Jesus was God on the cross as He cried, “It is finished.” Jesus was God in the tomb as He lay still in death. Jesus was God on the morning of the resurrection as He broke asunder the bands of death and came out triumphantly over death, grave and Hell. Jesus was God on the Mount of Olives as His feet left that sacred place. Jesus is God at the right hand of the throne now. Jesus will be God coming again soon for His own.
History declares His deity. Prophecy accents His deity. Christianity testifies of His deity. Music sings of His deity.
B. Man needs to be careful about diverting an individual from Christ
Peter is guilty of directing others to Moses and Elijah instead of giving all preeminence to Christ.
The church at Corinth was guilty of this. Instead of emphasizing the message of the Word, the Corinthians had begun to emphasize the messengers of the Word . We need to be as Paul when he said “for we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord... “ Acts 5:42 “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”
A certain church had a beautiful stained glass window just behind the pulpit. It depicted Jesus Christ on the cross. One Sunday there was a guest minister who was much smaller than the regular pastor. A little girl listened to the guest preacher for a while, and then turned to her mother and asked, "Where is the man who usually stands there so we can’t see Jesus.
Two men visited church services one Sunday in London. At the morning worship hour they went to hear a renowned minster deliver an address in a beautiful cathedral. They came away saying, "What a wonderful preacher he is."
That evening they went to hear Charles Haddon Spurgeon. As they left Metropolitan Tabernacle, the remarked, "What a wonderful Christ that man preached!"
Far too many preachers of the Word magnify themselves and their gifts.
II. The OBJECT of faith which Christ must BECOME
Matthew 17:5 “While he [Peter] 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.” This is the last recorded time God the Father spoke to men, and He says, “HEAR YE HIM.”
A. Place your faith in the WORD of Christ
Moses and Elijah, the law and the prophets, pointed to Jesus. HEAR YE HIM. Listen attentively to the Word of Christ. Hearken to HIM.
Any one who refuses to hear the voice of Jesus Christ shall never see his face.
Every messenger from God ought to have our respectful attention, how much more the greatest of all messengers. “Never man spake like this man.”
1. Hear Him reverently
2. Hear Him believingly
3. Hear Him expectantly
4. Hear Him obediently
5. Hear Him immediately
“Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.”
B. Place your faith in the WORTH of Christ
Acts 4:12
John 14:6 Jesus is the way to be saved, sure, and satisfied.
III. The OUTCOME of faith which others need to BEHOLD
Peter said in verse 4, “It is good for us to be here.” Peter was enjoying the moment. Let us make three tabernacles or tents to prolong our experience.
A. The thrill of the mountain
Indeed it was a thrilling moment for the disciples. It is always good to be in the company of Christ. It was good to be instructed and made wiser in spiritual matters.
Peter wanted to build a tabernacle so they could remain on the mountain and live in an atmosphere of glory. Let us linger on the mountain was the desire of Peter.
B. The task of the multitude
Though it was good to be on the mountain, it was needful for them to go down from the mountain to minister.
They are to go forth from His presence to serve. They go from the mountain of fellowship to the valley of service. Far too many just take in but never give out.
On the mountain top, spiritual; in the valley, practical. On the mountain top, occupied WITH Jesus; in the valley occupied FOR JESUS. It was definitely good for Peter, James, and John to be there, but it was not good for them to remain there.
1. There was a sinner to be evangelized (14)
2. There was satan to be exposed (18)
2. There were saints to be encouraged (19,20)
Conclusion:
Though Peter blundered, his blunder has become a great blessing to millions, for it has taught us that the believer’s eyes must be fixed on Jesus only.
