STUDY THEME: ONE SOLITARY LIFE: THE LIFE OF JESUS. 4-11-01

UNIT 5: LORD OF THE KINGDOM: OBEYING THE LORD OF GLORY

MATTHEW 17:1-4, 5-8, 9-13.

PLEASE OPEN YOUR BIBLE TO MATTHEW 17.

Today's lesson will focus on the transfiguration of Jesus. This event is recorded in all three of the synoptic Gospels. Matthew 17, Mark 9, and Luke 9. In last Sunday's lesson, Jesus and the disciples were near Caesarea Philippi when Jesus asked the disciples, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer, die and be raised the third day.

Jesus was at a crossroad in His ministry. Would He take the road to the cross or would He turn away? Six days after Peter's great confession near Caesarea Philippi Jesus took the disciples up a high mountain to be alone with His disciples. This was Mt. Tabor in S.E. Galilee or more probably a spur of Mt. Hermon which is located N.E. of Caesarea Philippi.

Matthew showed Jesus heading for Jerusalem with determined resolve, knowing what lay ahead of Him there. This brief glimpse of Jesus glory revealed in today's lesson occurs at a critical time. For the disciples, they needed to see it so they would be encouraged to follow Him all the way to death. For Jesus, it was a precious moment with the Father that encouraged Him before the final weeks of His earthly life.

1. PLEASE READ MATTHEW 17: 1-4.

Peter, James and John are often called "the inner circle" of the twelve disciples. Jesus took them with Him to see Jairus daughter raised, and to be near Him in Gethsemane. They belonged to the first group of four among the twelve who Jesus called and they enjoyed a unique intimacy with Him. James was the first of the twelve to be put to death; Peter and John were the main leaders of the Jerusalem Church in the first century. They were about to witness a divine confirmation of what Jesus had said in Ch. 16 about His person.

The transfiguration scene must have been one of the most exciting events in the life of Peter, James and John-and maybe even for Moses and Elijah as well. And I am convinced that it can mean a great deal to us, too. He other 9 disciples didn't get to view this great event.

The Greek word translated as "transfiguration" is the word "metamor-phothe," from which we get "metamorphosis." As any student of biology knows, a "metamorphosis" is "a transformation, a complete change of appearance and form." (Example: Caterpillar into a butterfly.")

Jesus certainly went through a metamorphosies-and more than once. First, He left the glories of heaven to come to earth in human form-to live with us-to share our pain and suffering, our hungers and temptations. For 33 & 1/2 years He lived upon the face of the earth in human form. But at the time of this scripture that we have read, Jesus was coming to the end of His ministry upon this earth, and for a few minutes on a mountain side in Galilee, Peter, James, and John are privileged to see another metamorphosis as Jesus is once again clothed in His glory, the glory of Almighty God.

As John stood on that mountain and saw the transfiguration of Jesus, what did he see? Years later, in the 1st Chapter of his Gospel, Vs. 14, John says, "The Word became flesh, and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth". Jesus was the perfect flesh and blood reflection of God ever present in this world.

The common illustration of the caterpillar changing into a butterfly is a good analogy, but we must understand that this metamorphosis of Jesus occurred instantly! His appearance changed so much that his face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light. The disciples saw Jesus in His glorified state as the veil of His humanity was temporarily life. Luke's account of the transfiguration seems to suggest that it occurred in the night. If so, imagine what a sublime spectacle it must have been. All this was in anticipation of the glory that Jesus knew awaited Him.

John knew what he was talking about, for on that mountainside they had seen Jesus transfigured, His appearance changing dramatically, His face and clothing shining like the light of the sun. And just as that happened, two men, Moses and Elijah appeared in glorious splendor and began talking with Jesus.

In Luke 9: 30-31 Luke's account of the transfiguration says, They were talking about "His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem." These two had come to prepare Jesus for His unique departure from the earth and to emphasize this to His disciples. The three disciples were no doubt amazed by the appearance of Jesus. Then their amazement must have grown when there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah. We are not told how the disciples recognized these two O.T. figures, but somehow their identity was revealed to the three disciples.

St. Luke called the suffering that Jesus will soon endure "his departure which He was about to accomplish." That's an interesting way to describe Jesus' passion and crucifixion, isn't it? Not as a misery to be passively endured but a "journey to be undertaken", a "task to be done", a "departure to be "accomplished."

I say that Jesus' transfiguration happened at the best of times because just before suffering, just before trial, just before a difficult test, just before a dangerous journey is the best time to receive reassurance and the best time for your friends and family to receive reassurance too.

All of us need to see the glory of God before we face the hard times. All of us need the reminder of God's presence and God's purpose when we go through any "valley of the shadow of death." So before leading Jesus toward the final confrontation in Jerusalem, God visited Jesus, and his friends, with an experience of glory. Over the centuries, Christians have learned to trust that sequence, even to bet their lives on it; suffering will come, yes. But before the suffering, there will be a strengthening visitation of glory, a reminder that Jesus-and we-are never asked to face suffering alone.

Why were Moses and Elijah, of all the O.T. people present on this occasion? It is likely that they were on the mountain with Jesus because of their unique relationship to God. Moses was the great law-giver with whom God spoke face to face, and Elijah, the chief prophet, was so faithful to God that he did not experience death but was translated to heaven in a whirlwind.

Then too, these two men and the disciples suggest all the categories of people who will be in Jesus' coming kingdom. The disciples represent individuals who will be present in physical bodies. Moses represents saved individuals who have died or will die. Elijah represents saved individuals who will not experience death but will be caught up to heaven alive. These three groups will be present when Christ institutes His kingdom on earth. Furthermore the Lord will be in His glory as He was at the transfiguration, and the kingdom will take place on earth, as the scene obviously did.

Peter was one of those people who enter into every situation with an open mouth. He occasionally said something true and important. At other times Peter's words were wrong or out of place. This seems to be the case here. Mark 9:6 and Luke 9:33 state that Peter did not know what he was saying. "Lord it is good for us to be here " was surely true, but his suggestion about building three tabernacles missed the point of the transfiguration. We are not told why Peter made this suggestion. Perhaps the cloud filled with God's presence made that place holy ground for Peter.

Peter's implication was still in line with his rebuke of Jesus a few days before. Why descend to the plain and resume the conflict? Why go to Jerusalem and die? Would it not be better to remain on the mount in this heavenly fellowship?" As Peter had interrupted the magnificence of the occasion, God now interrupted Peter while he was speaking.

The voice form heaven brought the three disciples back to God's intention for the transfiguration. The transfiguration was a preview of the coming glory of the Lord after His resurrection from the dead. The transfiguration of Jesus was a revelation of the lordship of Jesus Christ-a lordship fully revealed only after He suffered and died.

You see, it is one thing to recognize that there is a God who has put the sun and the moon and the stars in place. It is one thing to recognize that there is a God who made us and who appreciates beauty, and who gives us morality and helps us feel bad when we are bad, and good when we are good. It is one thing to recognize that there is a God of order who is in control, but it is another thing to recognize that God became one of us.

2. PLEASE READ MATTHEW 17: 5-8.

The bright cloud is reminiscent of the cloud that the Israelites saw over Mt. Sinai in Ex. 19:16 when the Lord made a covenant with them and they heard "the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud." A cloud also overshadowed the newly built tabernacle. This cloud showed that "the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." The Lord led the people with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. This cloud signified the glory of the Lord's presence.

If there was any doubt of this, a voice out of the cloud spoke, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." These are the same words, spoken by God when Jesus was baptized, except that God on that occasion spoke primarily to Jesus. God now spoke these words on the mount of transfiguration for the benefit of the disciples.

God points to His Son, Jesus. We must listen to Him; Not Moses and Elijah. Christ was exalted above Moses and Elijah for all authority would be given to Him. (Matt. 28:18-20.) Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:16-18 that they were eye witnesses of His Majesty. That Jesus received "honor and glory" from God the Father.

The transfiguration was done before them. God was giving them a revelation designed to reinforce what Jesus was trying to teach them. This view is supported by what God said to the disciples, "Hear ye Him." In the O.T. God always comes shrouded in clouds to protect God's people. To look upon the fact of God, was death, not from fright or fear but because of the overwhelming glory, beauty, and grace of God.

Hearing this voice caused the three disciples to fall on their face because they wee terrified. Jesus came and touched them, a touch accompanied by His words, "Arise, and be not afraid." Peter especially must have felt uncomfortable. Notice that Jesus not only spoke to them but also touched them. His touch was as much a sign of acceptance as His words.

The three were on their faces. When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. This probably means not only that Moses and Elijah had departed, but that Jesus Himself was no longer glowing. Now they were expected to apply what they had heard and experienced to everyday life. And they were expected to listen to and obey Jesus. Their focus must be on Him from this point on, and they must not miss the significance of what He goes to Jerusalem to accomplish.

What had the disciples learned? Ideally they had learned that Jesus was going to suffer, die, and rise again by the will of God. They also were supposed to have learned to obey the word of God-whether spoken from heaven by God or spoken on earth by His Son.

The transfiguration included several marvels: the changed appearance of Jesus, the appearance of Moses and Elijah, and the voice from heaven. These were revelations of God, which showed that the cross and the resurrection were God's plan. The glory of God was revealed by these revelations. They foreshadowed the coming glory of the resurrection of Jesus and of His future coming. However, the way to the crown involved a cross for Jesus, and it also does for us.

Christians who are persecuted understand what Jesus meant. The International Mission Board reported the following story from China. The pastor of an underground church was talking about security to a group of Southern Baptist visitors. Every time his church reached 10 to 15 members it split, he said. Too many members would attract attention from the government. For the same reason, each church constantly changed meeting locations.

To find out where he church was meeting that day, church members visited an usher on a downtown street, who would tell them? One usher, whom the government identified, was arrested, beaten, and put in prison. He lost job, his medical benefits, and his house. Another believer then stepped forward to take the usher's place, but he too was found out, beaten and put in prison. One visitor said to the pastor, "I suppose you have difficulty filling that job?" "No," the pastor responded, "we have a waiting list."

3. PLEASE READ MATTHEW 12: 9-13.

The Lord had given to these three disciples a mountaintop experience of divine revelation and glory. But now they were headed down from the mountain to the valley below. Jesus told them

"What you have seen tell to no man." This restriction would be lifted after the Son of man was risen again from the dead. After His resurrection, the disciples were to tell everyone about Him, because, only then would their ideas of the Messiah include the cross and resurrection. When we read the preaching of Peter and Paul in the Book of Acts, we find them stressing the atoning death of Jesus for sinners and His resurrection from the dead, which showed that He is alive and the Victor over sin and its ally death.

The appearance of Elijah at the transfiguration caused the disciples to wonder about the differences of opinion on the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5-6. The scribes believed that Elias would come first. They also believed that he would restore all things. The disciples asked Jesus about this. Jesus clarified the matter by stating that "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things." Jesus was reflecting the way the scribes spoke of it. Jesus corrected this view by pointing out several things. (1.) Elijah has already come." Vs. 13 shows that the disciples correctly understood that Jesus was speaking of John the Baptist. Although John had denied being Elijah literally, Jesus identified John as the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5-6. (2.) The people to whom he came did not recognize who he was. (3.) They have done unto him everything they wished. In other words, they rejected him and he was killed. (4.) The rejection and death of John the Baptist foreshadowed the way Jesus would be treated-"Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer."

Jesus thus brought the conversation back to the central message for the disciples. Jesus was to suffer, die, and be raised from the dead. He repeated this in Vs. 22-23. Vs. 23 states that the disciples "were exceeding sorry." But Mark 9:32 says that "they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask Him."

When Peter blurted out, "Let's stay here on the mountain and build three tabernacles," Jesus answered, "No, we're not going to stay on the mountain. Down at the foot of the mountain there is a boy possessed with a demon, and a concerned father who has brought him. The boy is sick, and we need to be there more than we need to be here." Jesus understood that if they stayed on the mountain, they would never get to the hill called Calvary, and His ultimate purpose, which had just been confirmed by the presence of Moses and Elijah and the voice of God, wouldn't get accomplished. God went up that mountain, not to stay, but to be affirmed by God. To have his mission and vision confirmed through the presence of Moses and Elijah. And to be empowered for the hardest part of the journey yet to come, to take up the cross of our sinfulness.

The divine approval established His fitness to be our Sin bearer on the cross. It was also an entry for Jesus into the glory in which He would reign, thus constituting a typical manifestation of the King coming into His kingdom. He had promised in Matt.16:28 that some of the disciples would not die until they would see the Son of Man come as King.

So they went down from the mountain to heal a sick boy. They went out into the world to feed the hungry, save the lost, and bring the sheep back into the fold again, and to reveal His glory. We who are His disciples are called to do the same thing.

Do you realize how blessed we are week after week to be able to come and share our faith together that Jesus is the Christ? I pray that you will never grow tired of that. I pray that you will proclaim it with all your power. He is the Christ, the Lord of all. John realized that as he saw the glory of Almighty God, and we need to realize that too. We need to see the Glory of God.

You know, I think most of us are very much like the apostle Philip. Do you remember? After three years being with Jesus, seeing all the miracles, listening to His teachings-and just a short time before His crucifixion-Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."

"Jesus answered in John 14:8-9, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a longtime? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father." When we see Jesus we see God with us. We need to see God. We need to listen to His word. When we don't there are frantic attempts, I think, to reach out and find something to believe in.

Illustration: A few years ago a housewife in New Mexico was frying tortillas on her stove. One of them burned, and it just so happened that the burn formed the shape of a face. She decided that the image was the face of Jesus.

She took it to her priest and asked him, "Do you think it looks like Jesus?" He thought that it looked like Jesus, too. And he blessed it. He had never blessed a tortilla before, but he blessed that tortilla.

She took it home and put it in a box, surrounded it with white cotton so that it would look like it was floating on a cloud. Then she and her husband built an altar and began to pray before it. The news spread, and soon thousands of people were coming to see and pray before this burned tortilla. Why? Because they want so desperately to see and feel the glory and power of God.

We all want that in our lives. We search for it and when it is not there, somehow we try to create it. We try to put it there in one way or another.

The account of the transfiguration teaches us some important spiritual truths. First, we are reminded that Jesus will depart this world by suffering and death much like John the Baptist did. Second, Jesus will return to this world in great glory. The glimpse of Jesus' glory that the disciples saw will be nothing in comparison to the glory we will see when He returns to this earth. Third, when Jesus returns, we will be like Him because we will see Him as He is. Imagine the joy we will have when we receive a resurrection body that resembles His. Fourth, until that time, we may be called to suffer for His sake just as John the Baptist suffered for his Lord.

NEXT SUNDAY WE WILL LOOK AT ONE OF THE BEST KNOWN OF ALL JESUS' PARABLES: "THE STORY OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN." A.V. DAUGHERTY 4-22-01.

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