What does life look like beyond the grave? Let’s examine our transformation now and in eternity, by looking at the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9.
A small attendance and a large miracle went hand-in-hand. False prophets often draw large crowds (Luke 6:26; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Matthew 7:13-14). Numbers alone prove nothing about the message. Jesus did rarely teach thousands, occasionally a hundred plus, most often a dozen or so and sometimes just three of His disciples.
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. (Matthew 17:1 NIV)
Is it wrong to talk to the dead or ask departed saints to pray for us? We Protestants sometimes quote Saul’s experience with a seance (1 Samuel 28), but he went to the wrong source, a witch. Here, Jesus also talks to departed saints. So, is it wrong to do so?
Is this transfiguration the same as a transformation? It is the same word used in the letter to the Romans about us being “transformed” by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2), and being inwardly “transformed” into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. (Matthew 17:2-3 NKJV)
A Vision
Some say Moses and Elijah are still dead in their graves, claiming this a vision of a future after Jesus’ return. Were Moses and Elijah discussing a past event for them or a then future event?
And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:31b NLT)
Peter acted impetuously, which was his personality. A tabernacle or tent was quickly made from branches and leaves.
Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Matthew 17:4 WEB)
Listen to Whom
A little of their conversation is only recorded in Luke, but we are told what God said in four accounts (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2–8; Luke 9:28–36; 2 Peter 1:16–18).
The present imperative active voice of the original Greek can be translated as: “you [plural] keep on listening to him,” that is, ahead of Moses or Elijah. Many churches rightly make Jesus’ words central. I can only find one Bible version that fully translates this Greek sense. [International Standard Version (ISV) Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.]
He was still speaking when a bright cloud suddenly overshadowed them. A voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with him. [You plural] Keep on listening to him!” (Matthew 17:5 ISV)
Jesus set an example of human touch. Babies and animals can die without a loving touch. In a cold-blooded world a touch of human kindness is a need.
Hearing this, the disciples fell on their faces, filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. (Matthew 17:6-8 CEB)
Tell No One
Some things are better learned later in our spiritual growth. Jesus instructed the three not to tell anyone until later. He spoke in parables, to disguise the truth from those not yet ready for it (Matthew 13:10-14).
On their way down from the mountain, Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone what they had seen until after the Son of Man had been raised from death. (Matthew 17:9 CEV)
Who was the “Elijah” to come?
And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. (Matthew 17:10-13 ESV)
Peter later wrote of his experience (2 Peter 1:16-21). Do we look beyond our decaying, earthly existence to our metamorphosis into joyful, gloriously shining children of God? Has that transformation already begun inside us? You decide!
Prayer & Fasting
Did Jesus drive out a demon?
When they reached the crowd, a man approached and knelt down before Him. “Lord,” he said, “have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers severely. He often falls into the fire and often into the water. I brought him to Your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.” Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and rebellious generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and from that moment the boy was healed. (Matthew 17:14-18 HCSB)
Why couldn’t the disciples heal the boy?
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. (Matthew 17:19-21 KJV)
Did Jesus again predict His crucifixion?
And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be handed over to men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were deeply grieved. (Matthew 17:22-23 NASB)
Temple Tax
Why did Jesus pay the temple tax?
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” (Matthew 17:24-27 NASB)
Are the teachings of Jesus something understood in depth only as our lives are transformed in spiritual maturity? Do we look forward to when even our bodies will be transfigured by immortality? You decide!
