The Gospel and the Kingdom - Matthew - The Confirmation on the Mountain

 

TEXT: Matthew 17:1-8 – “¹Now 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.”

We are going to start Chapter 17 today. In this chapter, we see that God confirms Peter’s earlier acknowledgment of the deity of Christ with the Transfiguration on the mountaintop.

Jesus takes Peter, James, and John with Him. (vs.1) Jesus did have twelve disciples in whom He strategically invested. However, He also had three disciples that He took to a different level than the twelve. Peter, James and John might well be considered the inner circle of the original twelve disciples.

A quick survey of the Gospels reveals that there were some places that Jesus only took Peter, James, and John. He did not take the twelve everywhere He went. How and why Jesus took these three to places where he did not take the other nine we will never know. The fact remains that Jesus took Peter, James, and John to places He didn’t take everyone else. 

If you read the Book of Acts, the only disciples mentioned out of the original twelve are Peter, James, and John. It appears that they took leadership responsibility after Jesus left that the other nine did not take.

• Peter preaches at Pentecost.
• Peter and John heal the lame beggar while going into the temple.
• Peter and John are brought before the Jewish council.
• Peter and John were sent to the Samaritans when they received the Holy Spirit.
• James is killed by Herod in Acts chapter twelve.

None of the other disciples are mentioned in the Book of Acts, leading us to believe that the fact Jesus spent more time with them was preparing them for more responsibility than the rest.

So, here is the question of the day is "Who are your three?"

• Who are the individuals you are pouring your life into at a deeper level than anyone else?
• Who are the individuals you are taking places in ministry that you don’t take anyone else and who are you giving more responsibility to?
• Who is in your inner circle? 

So, in verses 1-3 we are shown what they see. The Appearance of God’s Messiah (vs. 2). His face and clothing shine like the noon-day sun. The Greek word translated transfigured metamorphoō means to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure. His clothes were perfectly white – bright as light. What the disciples were privileged to see was Christ shown not in His humiliation, but in His glory.

They also saw the arrival of God’s messengers – Moses and Elijah appear and speak to Jesus. (vs.3). Why these two? To the Jews (remember who Matthew is writing to) Moses stood for the Law, and Elijah stood for the Prophets. In other words, all the Old Testament Scriptures. Jesus came to fulfill the Scriptures, not take them away.

In verse 4 we observe what the disciples say – They want to build 3 shelters (tents) for these important people. While Peter has made this suggestion, all the Disciples hear the Father speak from Heaven declaring His love for His Son. (vs.5) When this happens, we read what the Disciples did (vs. 6-8). They are driven prostrate and were greatly afraid – they have heard the voice of God. (vs. 6). However, Jesus comes and reassures them (vs. 7). And when they looked up – there was no one there now except Jesus.

So, as we could imagine, this prompted what we will consider tomorrow, their conversation coming down the mountain.