Reading: Matthew chapter 17 verses 1-13.
Ill:
• A school music teacher asked her class the difference between listening and hearing.
• At first there was no response.
• Finally a hand went up and a youngster offered this wise definition:
• “Listening is wanting to hear.”
• As Christians we believe the Spirit of God is always speaking to us:
• (And he does not need to shout!)
• The key is that we must want to hear Him (Are we sensitive to the Spirit’s voice?)
• He speaks to us as we are willing to obey!
• In our passage this morning, God speaks;
• But it appears there is only one out of the four people who is actually listening!
(a). Introduction (Vs 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.”
The ‘six days’ previous is what we looked at in our last Word & Worship service:
• When Jesus asked his disciples a question;
• Matthew chapter 16 verses 15-16: “Who do you say that I am?”
• Simon Peter replied; “You are the Christ……”.
• From that time on Jesus then explained to his disciples that he must die!
• This is the first time he had declared this news to his disciples;
• And from now on his direction is set for Jerusalem and the cross.
Verse 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.”
(1). The Purpose (Luke 9:23):
• For both Jesus and the disciples these six days were a time of reflection:
• And this secluded mountain gave them time for contemplation.
(a). For the disciples.
• Each day of that past week the disciples must have pondered and discussed,
• What Jesus meant by His death and resurrection.
• No doubt they tried to figure out how this related;
• To the Old Testament promises about the kingdom of God.
• If Jesus were going to build a church,
• What would happen to the promised kingdom?
(b). For Jesus.
• It too was a time of contemplation,
• Luke in his version of this event tells us (chapter 9 verse 29);
• Jesus went up the mountain to pray.
• He was thinking & praying through the situation that was a head of him in Jerusalem.
(2). The mountain:
• The text does not name the place where this miracle took place:
• So we do not know (but that of course does not stop people guessing!)
• You have a choice of three;
• But no-one knows with any certainty.
(a). Tradition says Mount Tabor.
• But Mount Tabor is quite small (1,900 ft high),
• Not quite the high mountain described in verse 1.
• Mount Tabor was also topped with a fortified city,
• Which would hardly give the peaceful setting Jesus required!
(b). Mount Hermon.
• Because both Matthew and Mark tell us it was a “high mountain”.
• Most scholars believe it was Mount Hermon, which is 9,400 ft high.
• More importantly it is only 14 miles away from Caesarea Philippi;
• Where Jesus and the disciples were staying six days earlier.
(C). Mount Jebel Jermak (or Jermuk).
(a).
• Which is in upper Galilee,
• The highest elevation in that entire region (rising 4,000 feet above the Mediterranean Sea)
(b).
• Again from this mountain it was a relatively short distance to Capernaum,
• Where Jesus and the disciples were staying six days earlier.
(c).
• Mark chapter 9 verse 14 tells us:
• “A large crowd and the teachers of the law” surrounded Jesus.
• This mountain was not in the far north, populated mostly by Gentiles,
• But where Jewish people and their leaders were based.
• You have a choice of three to choose from;
• But no-one knows with any certainty.
(3). The disciples.
• Peter, James & John regularly emerge as an inner group among the twelve,
• Once again if we are honest we do not know why these three were chosen!
We can only guess:
(a). Peter.
• In view of Peter’s great confession in chapter 16 verse 16,
• It is probably no surprise he was chosen to go.
(b). John.
• John had an affinity with Jesus, a real close bond.
• He is referred to as “The disciple whom Jesus loved”.
• Of course Jesus loved all the disciples;
• But John enjoyed a special relationship.
(C). James (John’s brother).
• James was the first of the twelve disciples to be martyred for Christ,
• Perhaps this warranted this special privilege.
Quote: Dr. G. Campbell Morgan:
• Has pointed out that on three occasions Jesus took these disciples aside to go with him,
• All three occasions had to do with death:
• Jesus was teaching these three men that He was victor over death,
• (1). He raised Jairus’ daughter.
• (2). In the Garden of Gethsemane, he surrendered to death.
• (3). The Transfiguration, Jesus taught them that He would be glorified in death.
(b). The voice of prophecy (verse 2-6):
“There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4Peter 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."
5While 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!"
6When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." 8When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. “
(1). Illumination (vs 2).
(a). Physical illumination:
• It was clearly not easy for these men to put their experience into words,
• And the gospel writers describe what happened to Jesus in slightly different ways.
• Matthew says (verse 2):
• “His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as light”.
• Mark says (chapter 9 verse 3):
• “His clothes became dazzling white”.
• Luke says (chapter 9 verse 29):
• “The appearance of his face changed and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning”.
Ill:
• Remember the brightest artificial light they knew was a feeble candle or an oil lamp.
• They knew nothing of powerful spotlights or floodlights.
• The sight before them was breath-taking.
• It was both frightening and impressive and they were stunned by it.
(b). Spiritual illumination.
• What the disciples saw was spiritual as well as physical:
• The veil of Jesus’ humanity was briefly drawn back,
• These three men saw Jesus in a way they had not done ever before.
• This was a one-off unique occurrence
• This is the only time while he was on earth,
• That Jesus revealed His glory in this way:
Ill:
Posh school boy “Metamorphosis”
• Our English word “metamorphosis.” is this Greek word translated as ‘transfigured’.
• A metamorphosis is a change on the outside that comes from the inside.
Ill:
• Moses in the Old Testament once went up Mount Sinai (Exodus chapter 24 verse 1);
• He too took with him three men (Aaron, Nadab and Abihu).
• While there the face of Moses started to radiate the glory of God!
• And his three companions were too frightened to go near him!
• But Moses only reflected God’s glory;
• It was something on his outside that affected him;
Note:
• Jesus was “metamorphosed,” or ‘transfigured’.
• It was a change on the outside that comes from the inside.
• The glory of Jesus was not reflected;
• But radiated from within!
• There was a change on the outside that came from within,
• As He allowed His essential glory to shine forth.
(b). Consolidation (vs 1-2):
Question: Why did this experience take place?
Answer: To consolidate, to reinforce, to strengthen both the disciples & Jesus:
(1). Consolidation for the Disciples.
• Twice in verses 1 and 2 we have the words “before them”.
• This event happened to consolidate, to reinforce, to strengthen the disciples
The disciples had to learn that suffering and glory must go together:
• In chapter 16 verse 22:
• Peter had strongly opposed Jesus’ words regarding death,
• To Peter death was failure, it was defeat, it was unthinkable;
• So Jesus had to teach him & the others that their understanding of HIS death was wrong.
• Apart from His suffering and death on the cross,
• There could be no glory. There could be no kingdom!
Note: All through this story, from start to finish is ‘glory’:
• e.g. Verse 2: Jesus “face shone like the sun.”
• e.g. Verse 2: His clothes glistened and gleamed like the “light.”
• e.g. Verse 5: “A bright cloud”;
• I believe they saw the ‘shechinah’, the glory of God (appeared in the O.T.?)
Peter certainly learned the lesson:
(a).
• All through his first letter he repeatedly emphasized two themes “suffering and glory”.
• They are two important threads that weave themselves all through his first letter.
(b).
• Also when Peter speaks about his own death:
• In 2 Peter chapter 1 verse 15
• Peter chooses his words wisely; he calls his death a “departure” or “exodus”.
• He at last realised that for the believer, death is not a one-way street into oblivion.
• It is an exodus -a release - from the bondage of this life,
• Into the glorious liberty of the life in heaven.
(2). Consolidation for Jesus.
Quote: Luke chapter 9 verse 31:
“Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus.
They spoke about his departure (EXODUS), which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem”.
The two greatest figures in Israel’s history (Moses & Elijah):
• Appeared with Jesus and encouraged him to go on with his mission.
• In them all Israel’s history recognised Jesus as its own consummation.
• The greatest law-giver and the greatest prophet;
• Recognised Jesus as the one they had dreamed and spoke about!
Note:
• The cross may not have been in plans of the disciples or the Jewish nation,
• But it was predicted again and again throughout the Old Testament.
• His suffering and death would not be an a mistake or an accident,
• It would be an accomplishment.
(C). Completion (verse 3):
“Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.”
• These three men;
• Moses, Elijah and Jesus represent God’s dealings with mankind:
Moses & Elijah:
(a). Both represented the Old testament:
• (a). Moses represented the Law,
• (b). And Elijah the prophets.
• (a).Moses was the greatest of all the law-givers,
• (b). Elijah was the greatest of all the prophets;
• ‘The law and the prophets’ was a description given to the whole of the Jewish Bible,
• The part we call the Old Testament.
Ill:
• Jesus said that he had come to fulfil the Law and the Prophets.
• On the road to Emmaus he could say to the two men;
“44Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me by Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must all come true.”
(b). Both these men had mountain top experiences:
• The two characters who appear with Jesus in this story,
• Moses and Elijah both had mountain top experiences.
• Ill: Moses received the law on Mount Sinai.
• Ill: Elijah defeated Baal on Mount Carmel.
(C). Both are linked to sacrifices:
• For Moses it was the Passover lamb (Exodus chapter 12).
• For Elijah it was a bull (1 Kings chapter 18)..
(?). Both departed earth in unusual ways:
• Moses experienced a lonely death on Mount Nebo;
• And was buried by God himself in the land of Moab (Deuteronomy chapter 34 verse 5).
• Elijah did not die but was carried up to heaven in a chariot of fire,
• (2 Kings chapter 2 verse 11.)
• No body was ever found for Moses and Elijah;
• Both departed earth in unusual ways:
• Both are the last Old Testament men mentioned in our Old Testaments:
• Malachi chapter 4 verses 4-6 they both get a name check!
(C). The voice of divinity (verse 4-8):
(1). A mistake (verse 4):
4Peter 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.”
Peter’s words are one of the great understatements of the Bible:
• “It is good for us to be here” - I’ll say it was!
• This was an experience that both himself and John would never forgot:
Ill: John would one day write (John chapter 1 verses 14b):
“We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth”.
Ill: Peter would one day write (2 Peter chapter 1 verses 17-18):
“But we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain”.
Notice: Peter was enjoying this experience so much that he wanted to prolong it:
• Let’s build some shelters and we can stay here all night.
• His intentions might have been good, but they were also wrong.
Notice: also that Peter was not selfish in his words:
• He suggests they build three shelters, one for each special guest.
• Not four (include one for himself) or even six (a shelter for everybody).
Notice: it was a foolish statement.
• As if Jesus and the two visitors;
• Had no other means of protecting themselves against the cold.
• Peter sees a miraculous event,
• And wants to protect these 3 supernatural people with a few sticks and branches.
Notice:
• God does was Peter could not do;
• God himself provided a supernatural covering for them;
• Verse 5:
• “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them”
(2). A voice - The voice of God (verse 5):
5While 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!”
• The cloud was important,
• Because the Jews often connected this with God’s presence (Exodus chapter 16 verse 10)
The voice of God spoke different things to those present:
(a). For Jesus.
• It was encouraging for Jesus to have Moses and Elijah sharing with him;
• Telling him that what he was doing was right.
• But now he had the voice of God, his Heavenly Father,
• Publicly declaring that what he was planning by going to Jerusalem was the right way.
Ill:
• David & Bob at school play.
• Only wanted his Father’s approval.
(b). For the disciples:
• The voice from heaven leaves them in no doubt:
• The God who spoke in the past through the law and the prophets;
• Is now speaking decisively through his son;
• (ill: Hebrews chapter 1 verses 1-2).
• Jesus is not just a successor but was superior to Moses and Elijah.
• He is the fulfilment of both the law and the prophets.
(C). An insight (verse 6 to 8):
6When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
Like Isaiah of old:
• The disciples having seen the glory of the Lord and heard his voice,
• Fall facedown on the ground and they are full of fear.
Notice:
• There is no rebuke from Jesus,
• Just a gentle touch, a lovely act of compassion.
• Then the Lord not only tells them not to be afraid:
• But he also removes the reason for their fear;
• He sees to it that the strangeness, brilliance and majesty of the scene have gone;
• That which terrified them was removed.
Verse 8: The lesson is learned:
• The Father will not permit His one and only Son,
• To be put on the same level as Moses and Elijah.
• Quote: “The stars are blotted out when the sun rises,”
• “Jesus only” is God’s pattern. So the supernatural guests disappear!
Quote David Gooding:
“The Lawgiver and the prophet were gone. For all their eminence they were but men. Their role in history had been preparatory to the incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ. Now that he had had come, they retired. The actual redemption of the world would depend on Christ and on Christ alone”
