Reading: Matthew chapter 17 verses 1-13.
(a). Introduction (Verse 1):
1After 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:
• 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 he 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!).
(a). Tradition says Mount Tabor.
• But Mount Tabor is quite small (1,900 ft high),
• And it was also topped with a fortified city,
• Which would hardly give the peaceful setting Jesus required!
(b). Mount Hermon.
• Both Matthew and Mark tell us it was a “high mountain”.
• Most scholars believe it was Mount Hermon, which is 9,400 ft high.
• And it is only 14 miles away from Caesarea Philippi (continuity with chapter 16).
(C). Mount Jebel Jermak (or Jermuk).
• Which is in upper Galilee,
• The highest elevation in that entire region (rising 4,000 feet above the Mediterranean Sea)
Two reasons why it may have been this mountain:
(a).
• From this mountain it was a relatively short distance to Capernaum,
• Verse 24 tells us Jesus seems to have gone there soon afterwards.
(b).
• 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.
(d). The honest answer is we do not know!
(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):
(1). illumination.
(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,
• And they saw Jesus in a way they have not done before.
• 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 ‘transfigured’.
• A metamorphosis is a change on the outside that comes from the inside.
Ill:
• When a caterpillar builds a cocoon and later emerges as a butterfly,
• It is due to the process of metamorphosis.
Our Lord’s glory 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:
Question: Why did this experience take place?
Answer: To consolidate, to reinforce, to strengthen both the disciples & Jesus:
(1). Disciples.
• Mark chapter 9 verse 2 quite clearly tell us that
• “Jesus was transfigured before them”.
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,
• So Jesus had to teach him and the other disciples that, apart from His suffering and death,
• There could be no glory.
Note:
• All through this story, from start to finish is glory:
• E.g. Jesus face shone like the sun.
• E.g. His clothes glistened and gleamed like the light.
• E.g. Cloud – Was it the shechinah, the glory of God (appears all through O.T.?)
Peter certainly learned the lesson:
(a).
• All through his first letter he repeatedly emphasized “suffering and glory”.
• Two threads that run all through his first letter.
(b). Regarding his own death:
• Peter used the same word “departure” or “exodus” (2 Peter chapter 1 verse 15).
• 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). Jesus.
Quote Luke chapter 9 verse 31:
“Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus.
They spoke about his departure, 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):
Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began 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 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:
• Moses it was the Passover lamb (Exodus chapter 12).
• Elijah it was a bull (1 Kings chapter 18)..
(C). 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.)
(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 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: 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”.
(a). 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.
(b). 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 six (include everybody).
(C). 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 himself provided a 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.
• There is no rebuke from Jesus,
• Just a gentle touch, a lovely act of compassion.
The Lord tells them not to be afraid:
• Then he removes the reason for their fear;
• He sees to it that the strangeness, brilliance and majesty of the scene have gone
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.
• “Jesus only” is God’s pattern.
(d). The voice of history (verses 9-13):
(1). A warning (verse 9):
9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
• Once again every danger of a premature public proclamation must be avoided,
• When the time is right,
• After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
• Then the story of this event can and will be told.
(2). A question (verses 10):
10The disciples asked him,
“Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
The three disciples were still perplexed:
• They had been taught (Malachi chapter 4 verses 5-6),
• That before the Messiah came,
• Elijah would come first,
• His return would be to prepare the way for the establishing of God’s kingdom.
• The disciples wanted to know;
• Was the presence of Elijah on the mountain the fulfilment of this prophecy?
(C). An answer (verses 11 to 13):
11Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
In verses 12-13 Jesus gave a two-fold answer to their question.
• Yes. Elijah would come as Malachi chapter 4 verses 5-6 promised.
• But spiritually speaking, Elijah had already come in the person of John the Baptist;
Ill: Luke chapter 1 verse 17 (speaking of John):
“And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah,”
ill: Matthew chapter 11 verses 10-15:
“And if you are willing to accept what I say,
John is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come.”
Verse 12:
2But I tell you, he has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and he was badly mistreated. And soon the Son of Man will also suffer at their hands.
• The nation permitted John to be murdered,
• And they would also ask for Jesus to be killed.
• The same combination, the people, the religious leaders, the political authorities,
• Would again unite to crucify the Son of God!
Yet God’s program would be fulfilled in spite of the deeds of sinful leaders.
• Think of the words of Peter in his very first sermon;
• Acts chapter 2 verses
“You, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him”.
