Transfigured, Triumphant And Taxed - Matthew 17 Series

2025.07.13. Sermon Notes. Transfigured, Triumphant, and Taxed – MATTHEW 17.1-27

Following the Son from Mountaintop to the Valley and Marketplace.

William Akehurst, HSWC

SCRIPTURES: Matthew 17:1-27, John 17:24, Luke 1:17

BIG IDEA: Jesus reveals His Divine glory, His power over darkness, and His humility in submission—even to earthly/worldly systems/ government.

Opening Prayer,

Heavenly FATHER,

We come before YOU today with open hearts and expectant spirits.

As we open YOUR Word, we ask that YOU would open our eyes to behold the GLORY OF JESUS, YOUR BELOVED SON.

Speak to us from the mountaintop.

Strengthen us in the valley.

Sustain us in the everyday trials and decisions we face.

Reveal more of CHRIST to us—HIS Power, HIS Humility, and HIS Majesty.

May we hear HIM, trust HIM, and follow HIM more fully.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I. TRANSFIGURED ON THE MOUNTAIN (VV. 1–13)

Jesus Transfigured on the Mount (SEE ALSO Mark 9:1–13; Luke 9:27–36; 2 Pet. 1:16–18)

1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”

10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. 12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

KEY THOUGHT: The GLORY and Identity of JESUS revealed.

1. The Mountaintop Revelation (vs 1-4)

“He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.” (v.2)

• Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain…a place of revelation.

• He is transfigured before them…His divine nature unveiled, His divine GLORY revealed. GLORY!

• John 17:24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”

NOTE: Remember when Moses came down from the Mountain with the 10 commandments, having been in the presence of the GLORY OF GOD, his face shown so brightly that the people veiled his face.

2. Moses and Elijah appear (vs 3)

“And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.”

• Moses and Elijah: These two Old Testament persons appeared and spoke with the transfigured Jesus. Moses had lived some 1400 years before; Elijah some 900 years before; yet they were alive and in some sort of resurrected, glorified state.

• These two men from the Old Testament appeared because they represent the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). The sum of Old Testament revelation came to meet with Jesus at the Mount of Transfiguration.

• Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets) appear, showing Jesus as the fulfillment of both.

• Additionally, Moses and Elijah represent those who are caught up to God. Moses represents those who die and go to glory, and Elijah represents those who are caught up to heaven without death (as in the rapture)

• Peter’s selfish thought. Vs 4. “Lord it is good for us to be here”

He didn’t have a clue what was happening and reacted full of his own understanding.

3. The Father's Voice (v. 5)

“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

• A divine confirmation of Jesus' identity and authority.

• This is My Son – LISTEN to Him

Hear Him! If we should listen to anyone, we should listen to Jesus. One would think that a voice from heaven would say, “Listen to me!” But the Father said, “Hear Him!” Everything points us to Jesus.