Matthew 17:1-8 (NKJV)
"Jesus Only"
In the preceding chapter 16, Jesus has just told His men that He is on the way to the cross to die for their sins, v.19. He is challenged by Peter but goes on to tell the disciples that not only will He die on the cross, but He will return to this earth in glory someday. Our text today begins with “After six days,” Jesus takes Peter, James and John into a “high mountain.” There, Jesus was “transfigured” in their presence. We don’t yet know the full weight of what happened, but these three men were allowed to witness the Glory of God in Christ Jesus. They were given an honor on earth that only John will ever get again while receiving the Revelation on the Isle of Patmos.
This morning, I want to begin by drawing your attention to what Peter says in verse 4, “Lord, it is good for us to be here!” When Peter saw all that was happening around him, he didn’t understand all that was happening, but he knew enough to know that he was in a good place! As you and I travel through this life, we will find ourselves in all kinds of places. There are valley places and mountaintop places and places that fall everywhere between the two. I believe you can be in a good place and not even recognize it! You might be in the valley, but that valley might just be a good place! You might be in a place of physical pain, emotional trouble, financial turmoil, or ill with this virus, but you still might be in a good place. Let us consider today, The Prophets that talked with Jesus; The Place of Transfiguration; And The Person of Jesus Christ, the Beloved Son of God.
I. v. 3 The Prophets - Verse 1 tells us that Jesus only took Peter, James and John of the twelve. It would appear that these men were the Lord’s “inner circle.” In fact, this is not the only time Jesus selected these men for a time of special ministry. It was these three men that were with Jesus when He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead, Mark 5:37. Later we will find these three also with Jesus when He “goes a little deeper” into Gethsemane to pray, Mark 14.
While it is true that God “has no respect of persons,” Romans 2:11, it is also true that some people are closer to Him than are others. Favor is not always fair. The Bible says the Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. The Bible says Abram was call out of the land of Ur. The Bible says that Jacob (the younger) was chosen over Esau (the older). Though Jacob chose the beautiful Rachel, God chose the weaker Leah. Though Israel chose King Saul, God chose King David even above seven older brothers! Favor, is not about what you have done for God! Favor has always been will always be about what God has done for you! And because these disciples had the favor of God and stayed close to Him, they often have experiences that the others have not. Only Peter walked on water! Only John is given the Revelation! And only these three see the “transfigured” and glorified Jesus! We are told that when Jesus’ face shone like the sun, He was visited by two Old Testament characters: Moses and Elijah. Moses had been dead over 1,500 years when this event took place, but here he is! He is moving, talking and recognizable. He is very much alive. This just serves to remind us that God is not the God of the dead but the God of the living!
Moses often represents those believers who die in faith, but Elijah did not die (as was carried off to heaven on a chariot of fire). He represents those saints of God who will one day be gathered up in the Rapture. Luke 9:31 tells us that they were talking with Jesus about His upcoming death on the cross. You see, Moses represented the Law and Elijah represented the Prophets. The Law and every Prophet pointed ahead to Jesus, the perfect fulfillment of the Law and the perfect redeemer of the Prophecy. Moses and Elijah came to exalt the greatness of Jesus and to reveal to the disciples that Jesus is Who He claimed to be! The Son of the Living God!
II. v. 4 The Place - We are told that these three men are on the mountain top with Jesus. In verse 1 it is called a “high mountain.” Peter realized the greatness of the moment and said, “Lord it is good for us to be here!” But they don’t stay there too long! When they come out of the mountain, verse 14 tells us that they go down to the valley as Jesus heads toward Calvary. This teaches us that there will be some Mountain Top times with Him and there will be some Valley times with Him. So, when you are having a Mountain Top experience, enjoy it for all it is worth, because you will soon be back in the Valley. Here is a truth that I have found; the experiences of the mountain top will sustain you through every valley!
Up until that moment, the disciples considered Jesus to be a great teacher who did some miraculous works. But, on that mountain, the glory that was on the inside came shining like the sun on the outside! He transfigured! He changed and it was not the first time! St. John chapter 1 teaches us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us! He changed when He came to us in the womb of a virgin named Mary. When Peter saw the glory of God he says, “Lord it is good for us to be here!” When you come to the place in your life where you find yourself drawn closer to Jesus and He has been revealed even clearer than before, you have arrived at a good place. I’m talking about being in His presence! God help us to get so caught up in His presence that nothing else matters to us!
III. v. 5 The Person - But Peter, as he often does, does not know when to stop so he suggests that they build three tabernacles: one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. But before Peter finishes his thought – The Voice of Father shuts him up because it is clear that he is placing Jesus on the same level as Moses and Elijah. So, the Father in Heaven proclaims on the mountain - That Jesus is far greater than Moses or a Prophet saying, “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Hear Ye Him!” Paul teaches in Philippians 2:9 that “God has highly exalted His Son and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Peter, James and John fell to the ground at the Voice of God and when they looked up it was Jesus Only!
You see, far too many are worshiping the leaders, worshiping the church, worshiping the doctrines, and worshiping their religion. But God tells us definitively that it is Jesus Only! Who or what do you exalt? If its anything or anyone but Jesus, then you better change! Because it’s always been and always will be Jesus Only!
