Written ~ 01-23-2024
Read Matthew Chapter Seventeen
Matthew 17
Verses 17:1-8
1 Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. 2 As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. 3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.
4 Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials — one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy. Listen to Him.” 6 The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.
7 Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.
Wow! Wow! Wow!
Peter, James and John. The inner circle. Those three men had experiences with Jesus that you and I probably can’t even imagine! And this experience would have been phenomenal and terrifying all at the same time!
For this passage of Scripture I did some research in a few Commentaries and Study Bibles, I found a couple extra details that helped me understand this message from Matthew 17:1-8 a little bit better, so I will share those quotes as we dive into this awesome chapter!
First off verse 17:1 starts us off with saying this is “six days later.” One commentary said, “The “six days” probably indicates the time it took to travel from Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13) to the high mountains (Matthew 17:1).” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary)
In chapter sixteen we read that Jesus and the disciples arrived in Caesarea Philippi, it was there that Jesus questions His disciples as to who they thought He was. Peter gave Him the divine answer, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Shortly after that Jesus tells His disciples that soon He would be going to Jerusalem to suffer many horrible things, He would die, but He would be raised from the dead. When we start reading chapter seventeen, it’s a very short time after this conversation with all of the disciples, that Jesus, Peter, James and John take off on a little “road trip.” And a few days later they were at a high place on a mountain where something miraculous was going to happen!
This portion of Scripture is called the “Transfiguration of Jesus.” Verse 17:2 tells us how Jesus’ appearance changed…
Verse 17:2,
2 “As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light.”
Peter, James and John had to be a little speechless, wouldn’t you think? Would they need to shield their eyes? Or could they look upon Jesus as He shone like the sun? Incredible.
Verse 17:3 is the verse that caused me to dig a little further…
3 “Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.”
In the CSB Tony Evans Study Bible is says the following about verse 17:3, I found it quite interesting and I definitely wanted to share! “These two eminent Old Testament figures—Moses and Elijah—had lived hundreds of years earlier. This scene, then, informs us that those who experience death (e.g., Moses) have cognitive understanding and an ability to communicate. Together, they symbolize all those who make up God’s kingdom—those who will be raptured and not see death (like Elijah) and those who will die and go to be with the Lord (like Moses). Moreover, Moses represented the Law, and Elijah represented the Prophets. Together they represented the complete Old Testament. Along with the disciples, they represent both the Old and New Testaments centered on Jesus.”
Isn’t that awesome! I love that explanation to the importance of Moses and Elijah showing up right at that moment to speak with Jesus. What I also found interesting is that the three disciples who were with Jesus weren’t afraid, well not quite yet… in verse 17:4, 4 Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials — one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
But before Peter could act on his suggestion, look what happens in verse 17:5,
5 But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy. Listen to Him.”
A voice from the clouds, the voice of the Almighty God spoke. It was then we see the reaction that is warranted for the scene these three men were witnessing!
Verse 17:6,
6 “The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.”
Was it in at that moment they realized they were standing on holy ground? It wasn’t until they heard the voice of God that they fell to their faces in fear. For me, I don’t know… but I think if I were to see Jesus shining like the sun that would be the moment to cause me to fall on my face!
So, here they are, Peter, James and John, their faces to the ground, trembling in fear and then there is Jesus… oh I love this!!!!
Verses 17:7-8,
7 Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.
“…They saw only Jesus….” When you and I experience the presence of the Lord, it might be that our hands are lifted high in the air, we might be compelled to kneel and lift our faces towards heaven or we could be at a place in our worship where we are flat on the ground with our faces to the floor. It’s in that moment, we feel the touch of Jesus and we hear Him say, “…get up, don’t be afraid…” Sure we may be freaking out about whatever is going on around us, our lives have taken surprising twists and turns, but then we look up and we see only Jesus.
Lord God, I pray for this kind of presence in my life, to know Your voice and fall to my face in worship, then look up and see only Jesus.
~AMEN~