The Majesty of Jesus

Matthew 17:1-9

We conclude this week’s Sunday lectionary readings with a passage from the Gospel of Matthew.  Here we have Matthew’s account of the transfiguration of Jesus.  Just prior to this, the Apostle Peter had made his declaration before Jesus and the other apostles that he believed Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God.  Shortly after that, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a nearby mountain (some say Mt. Tabor, others think Mt. Hermon), leaving the other nine apostles below.

While on top of the mountain, Jesus is transfigured.  What does that mean?  While on earth, Jesus, the Son of God, the 2nd Person of the Trinity, looked just like any other man.  He didn’t have a halo around His head.  He didn’t glow.  His Words and behavior set Him apart, not His appearance.  But right at this moment, before Peter, James, and John, Jesus’ appearance took on the glory and majesty that He had while He had been in heaven, prior to His birth, and would have again, after His ascension.  The light of His glory was so brilliant those apostles must have had to shield their eyes.  His white robes were so bright, Mark’s Gospel says whiter than any launderer could ever make them (Mark 9:3).  The men got a glimpse of Jesus as He truly was - God the Son, the glory of which would be indescribable.

Along with the glorified Jesus, appeared Moses and Elijah.  How did Peter, James, and John know who they were?  They didn’t come up and introduce themselves.  Back then there were no photos or accurate portraits to rely on.  They just knew, like I believe we will know who people are in heaven.  These two represented the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah).  Moses had brought the Law from God to the people, and Elijah was the greatest of the prophets.  God had so honored Elijah that he did not die, but was bodily transported to heaven. (II Kings 2:1-13).  Their presence confirmed that Jesus was the Messiah, the fulfilling of God’s Law and words of prophecy.  While with Jesus, they discussed with Him His coming sacrificial death on the cross, as Luke’s account said.  (Luke 9:30-31)

Peter, upon seeing them with Jesus, wanted to build three shelters for them to stay in.  He didn’t want this moment to pass.  He wanted it to go on, and keep Moses and Elijah there, along with the glorified Jesus.  This was a moment he didn’t want to lose.

Then a cloud descended from heaven and surrounded them all.  The voice of God the Father said that his was His beloved Son, with whom He was pleased.  That was the same thing God had proclaimed at Jesus’ baptism.  The voice of God filled those three apostles with such a holy awe and fear, they fell flat on their faces.  When they finally were able to dare look up, there was only Jesus in His regular, human form.

Some observations I made was, first, Peter wanted this glorious moment to continue, which is why he wanted to build the shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.  That wasn’t God’s plan, though.  We can have some really close and wonderful moments with God, away from the hustle and bustle of life.  They can’t continue on forever.  God wants us back out in the world, bringing His message of salvation to a lost world, just like Peter and the others had work to do for Him.  They couldn’t stay on that mountaintop forever while a world raced on to hell.

Secondly - the voice of God, along with the appearance of Moses and Elijah, showed that Jesus was the Son of God.  He isn’t just a good religious leader, not just another prophet.  He is the Son of God, the 2nd Person of the Trinity.  God said, “This is my Son”.  He alone, not anyone else.  Not Mohammed, not Buddha, not Krishna, or any other person many seek to raise up.  Jesus alone.  Peter, James, and John saw a glimpse of His glory, and if we have accepted Him as Savior, we will one day soon see that glory, too.