Scripture - Matt 17:1-13 “Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. 2 As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. 3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. 4 Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials[a]—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” 6 The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground. 7 Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus. 9 As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man[b] has been raised from the dead.” 10 Then his disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?[c]”11 Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.” 13 Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist.
Introduction: We now come to the amazing account of the transfiguration of Christ on the mountain. This dramatic event marks a major turning point in the gospel narratives, for Jesus was beginning to turn more and more to Jerusalem and the suffering and death that awaited Him there. But before all of that would take place, there was this glimpse of glory. And we read in the New Testament that it was because of the glory that was set before Him He was able to endure the cross. The revelation of Christ’s glory in this chapter was a clear confirmation to the disciples of the truth of Peter’s confession of faith (16:16); but it was also a great encouragement for Christ Himself as He faced the agony that would occur on another hill called Golgotha.
All three of the so-called synoptic gospels have essentially the same thing; but they each chose to tell the account in their own way according to their purpose. Our focus will be on what Matthew actually says; but we will interpret it in line with all the reports of what happened. The journey to the top of Mount Tabor was necessary. Our blessed Lord for the most part led a life of humility; but on this occasion, His divine nature was in full display. Lest the disciples should altogether forget his divine nature, Jesus drew aside the curtain, and revealed a measure of his majesty. This he did in a special manner upon the holy mount. The Apostles' experience at the Transfiguration reminds us that no matter how powerful a spiritual experience is, the time comes when we must come down off the mountain and rejoin our everyday life. But when we do so, we need to do it as a changed person, who see only Jesus and obeying His word.
Historians speculate as to why our Lord took these three disciples. Some say he took Peter because he loved Christ most, John because Christ loved him most, and James because, next to these, he loved and was loved most. The Lord knew the men whom he had chosen, and judged these three to be the fittest eye-witnesses of his glory.
1. The experience was given to undergird the faith of His Disciples. “Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. 2 As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. 3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.”
Jesus understanding what lay ahead, his arrest, trial and crucifixion knew this experience would fortify the faith and strengthen them to encourage the other disciples when the going gets rough. As a foretaste of His glory divine, Jesus put on the robes of his excellency for a moment and dazzled his disciples' eyes. For the first time, the disciples able to witness How low the Lord condescended to walk among men. Until this moment, Jesus’ divinity was kept closely veiled. Now He shines brighter than the sun on top of the mountain. The experience was given to undergird the faith of His Disciples. The disciples did not know what awaited them in the valley or how much suffering was ahead of them. They did not know the level of fear and anxiety they would face. These three must encourage and hold the group together.
2. The experience was also given to reveal that the law and the prophets were in perfect harmony with Jesus Christ
“3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. 4 Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials[a]—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.”
Secondly, the experience was given to reveal that the law and the prophets were in harmony with Jesus Christ. Just as God the Father had use Moses and the Law, Elijah and the prophet, He had sent a clear revelation of Himself in His Beloved son. “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” Here on this mountain, we see Moses, the great lawgiver and Elijah, the greatest prophet standing with Jesus in blended glory and splendor. This picture reaffirms the fact that Jesus did not come to destroy the Law and the Prophets, but He came to fulfil them. There are some who embrace the New Testament but ignore the Old Testament with the Law and the Prophets. Here the disciples saw the glory of Jesus, with Moses and Elijah’s light sweetly blending with Jesus’ light, all shining as God’s revelation of himself to mankind. Not knowing what they were talking about, the disciples were feeling the anointing and would gladly remain in sweet meditation and holy fellowship, and not go back down into the rude world below. This powerful revelation astonished and overcame the disciples, they fell under the weight of glory. Yet, Jesus awakes them and calls them back to the task ahead. The task is not to tabernacle on mountain tops. Our task is to living among men as salt and light. “Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus. The Law in all its splendor pointed to Jesus! The prophets with their miracles and predictions pointed to Jesus. God, the Father simply points the disciples to Jesus. Three memorial tabernacles would have been a distraction. Just look to Jesus and hear him! The experience was given to undergird the faith of His Disciples. The experience was also given to reveal that the law and the prophets were in perfect harmony with Jesus Christ. Finally, the experience revealed Jesus as God’s answer and Obeying Him is the key to Life.
3. The experience revealed Jesus is God’s answer and Obeying Him is the key to Life.
The disciples were not able to bear a full clear view of the glory of our Lord. Yet God in his mercy and grace allow them to get a glimpse of His Glory. When believers enter heaven, they shall be strengthened to bear the full view of God’s glory but for the disciples a glimpse was enough. To see Jesus and obey him is all believers need to desire.
When the Father spoke the words, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” The issue was settled. In a world where men searching for lost books of Bible, and chasing after historical prophets and mystics, God identifies Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. The father was well pleased because Jesus would do what no one else could do. He lived a sinless life, would suffered, bleed and die to pay a debt, He did not owe, because we owed a debt we could not pay. He reconciled us back to the Father, forgiving our sin and restoring us in the family of God. Notice that even at this high moment, the mind of Jesus rushed forward to his death and resurrection. The glory of Mt. Tabor could not make him forget his journey to Calvary. Lest other listen to whoever they will, follow whoever they want, but for the believer, Jesus Christ crucified should ever be most dear to us, since for our sakes he was despised and rejected; for our sake He submitted himself to the shame of death, and accepted dishonor as his glory, that he might redeem us to himself. The blessed assurance of The Transfiguration is that this experience was given to undergird the faith of His disciples; this experience was given to reveal that the law and the prophets were in perfect harmony with Jesus Christ. Now all things point to Jesus. Finally, this experience revealed Jesus as God’s answer and Obeying Him is the key to Life.
“This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” The word from heaven made three clear points: Jesus is the Son of God, Jesus is loved by the Father and pleasing to the Father; and Jesus must be obeyed. All of these ideas were being challenged by the religious leaders of the day, and questioned by the people. The disciples, however, knew Jesus was God’s Son (in some way), that He was doing the will of the Father, and that He was to be obeyed. Now, this direct revelation confirmed their faith—and it surely encouraged Jesus as well because opposition had begun to mount and would increase to Calvary. God clarifies His position regardless of the challenges by the religious leaders of the day, and questions by the people. It is clear, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life! Amen
