Sermons

Lessons from the Transfiguration, Pt. 1

Jan 29, 2023

Lessons from the Transfiguration, Pt. 1

Passage: Matthew 17:1-8

Preacher: Jeff Crotts

Series: Matthew

Category: Sunday Morning

Detail

Lessons from the Transfiguration – Matthew 17:1-13

Intro: I’m taking chapter 17 as a unit, under the event called the Transfiguration of Jesus.

“What is the Transfiguration?”

Not a common word and a word I think is never used outside of this event from the Gospels.

When you break down this word: Trans-figure, you see the prefix is Trans which means to “go across,” but that begs the question, “To go across what?”

Jesus is going across the natural to the supernatural. This is where Jesus pulls back his humanness to reveal his deity!

This event is important and will be the locus-foundation for key lessons that his most intimate disciples must learn before he leaves the mission within their hands.

This is what is going on in Matthew 17.  

 

Prop: Five lessons from Jesus’ Transfiguration

 

  1. Being willing to listen to Jesus (vv. 1-8)

 

  1. Christ reveals his glory

[KEY] Jesus’ challenge to take up their cross is left to simmer, six days.

  • Targeting the 12, Jesus will soon depart.
    • Handing off the mission.
    • Walking tour, personal journey w/Peter, James, and John.

 

[Illus] If you have ever taken a trip with close friends, you know how memorable the shared events can be. Unforgettable in fact. Let me assure you that this journey up this mountain with Christ was an unforgettable event for all involved.

 

  • Peter accounts for this in 2 Peter 1.
    • He did not forget it!
      • This marked their lives.
        • Unbelievable glory scene.
        • Glory-Infusion for their development.

 

  • Immediate lessons from event, gradually sinking in.

 

  • Early returns, disappointed the Lord.
  • Progressive sanctification is life lessons, learned and being learned.

 

  • 3 journeying together:
    • Peter
      • Spokesman for the Apostles.
      • Publicly declared that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (cf. Mt. 16:16).

 

  • James
    • Fellow fisherman, an early martyr.
      • Sons of thunder.
      • Emboldened by his brother.

 

  • John
    • One whom Jesus loved.
      • Testified to nearness.
      • Friends with Christ who’s divine.

 

  • Mountain unnamed, “a high mountain” (v. 1).
    • Symbolizing moving heavenward.
      • Isolation for Event.
      • For their eyes only.

[Appl] Symbolizes privilege, believers tasting heaven and the Lord.

  • Seeing Jesus as God.

[Appl] One-of-a-kind Savior who reveals glory inside of every believer! This experience, a physical representation of our hearts being illumined by the Spirit of God (cf. 2 Cor. 4:6).

ESV  2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, a"Let light shine out of darkness," bhas shone in our hearts to give cthe light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2Co 4:6 ESV)

Verse 1 says six days pass.

  • Mark says, “six days” and Luke says, “eight days.”
    • Not tripped by detail.
      • Luke included the weekend.
        • A doctor going into greater detail.
        • Or, adding Peter’s Confession, and TRANSFIGUATION.

 

  • Matthew and Mark did not.

 

  • His hike was steep.
    • From Caesarea Philippi (cf. Mt. 16:13).
      • Tradition says, Mt. Tabor (1880 ft), 40 miles walking, south of Sea of Galilee.
      • Logic says, Mt. Hermon (9,232 ft), 20 miles walking north of Caesarea Philippi, snow-capped slopes.

 

  • Ascending, following their Lord where he wants them to be.
    • Rite of passage; teaching experience.
      • Jesus knew they needed encouragement.
      • They were weary with burden.
        • Christ’s news of death.
        • Christ’s news of departure.

 

  • Luke 9:32 says when they “were heavy with sleep” and certainly physically fatigued from the climb; nearing nighttime?

 

  • Not unlike fatigue in Garden (cf. Matt. 26:43).

 

Verse 2 abruptly says, “And he was transfigured before them…” (v. 2).

  • Christ literally was metamorphosized [metamorphwthn] in front of them.

 

  • “The appearance of his face was altered” (cf. Lk. 9:29).
    • Emphasis Christ’ face.

 

ESV  Luke 9:29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was aaltered, and bhis clothing became dazzling white. (Luk 9:29 ESV)

 

  • “…his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light” (Mt. 17:2).

 

  • Christ appearance, though unparalleled is recognizable to other accounts of God’s glory.
    • Shekinah glory that led the Jews through the wilderness.
      • Cloud by day.
      • Pillar of fire at night.
      • Glory at giving of the Law.
        • Shining on Moses’ face.
        • Glory manifest in the tabernacle worship.
        • Unapproachable glory resident behind the curtain.
          • Inner sanctum of the Holy of Holy’s.
        • Glory at Temple Dedication by Solomon.

 

  • Glory that departed from the Temple (cf. Ez. 10:18).
    • When apostatized.
    • Israel exiled in Babylonian Captivity.

 

  • Glory returned, 400 years later (post-intertestamental period).
    • At the birth of Christ.
    • Veiled by his humanity.

 

  • Glory, we seek growing closer and closer to him in our walk with Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 3:18).

ESV  2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, abeholding bthe glory of the Lord,1 care being transformed into the same image dfrom one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2Co 3:18 ESV)

  • We possess glory as in clay pot (cf. 2 Cor. 4:7).

ESV  2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in ajars of clay, bto show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2Co 4:7 ESV)

[KEY] Jesus with illumined face and clothes being “white as light” reminds us of Moses (though glory there was fading, thus the veil).

[KEY] Brilliance from Christ’s cloths reminds me of the angels at Christ’s tomb declaring his resurrection!

[KEY] Certainly, an apex expression of Christ’s deity, so this likely means this brilliance emanating from Christ is unparalleled.  

 

[KEY] John and Peter both recorded this Event in Scripture, for the church.

ESV  John 1:14 And athe Word bbecame flesh and cdwelt among us, dand we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of egrace and ftruth. (Joh 1:14 ESV)   

ESV  1 John 1:1-4 aThat which was bfrom the beginning, cwhich we have heard, dwhich we have seen with our eyes, ewhich we looked upon and fhave touched with our hands, concerning the word of life--

2 athe life bwas made manifest, and we have seen it, and ctestify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, uwhich was with the Father and jwas made manifest to us-- (1Jo 1:1-2 ESV)

 

ESV  2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow acleverly devised bmyths when we made known to you cthe power and dcoming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but ewe were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (2Pe 1:16 ESV)

 

CROSS-REF

ESV  Hebrews 1:1-3 Long ago, at many times and ain many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,

2 but ain these last days bhe has spoken to us by chis Son, whom he appointed dthe heir of all things, ethrough whom also he created fthe world.

3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and athe exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. bAfter making purification for sins, che sat down dat the right hand of the Majesty on high, (Heb 1:1-3 ESV)

 

  • The brightness being, “white as light” (v. 2), is incomparably white, not drummed up by human methods.
    • Less the color white and more reflecting and refracting brightness.

 

[Illus] Never recommend, looking into the sun. If you’ve done this without protection, you know that you see colors, but these are reactions to the brightness that you cannot keep looking directly into.

 

[Illus] Luke’s account says: “And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered…” (cf. Lk. 9:29). Jesus is always both fully God and fully man. The humanity of Christ, veils Christ deity with incomprehensible humility. This moment, however, is the ultimate reversal (inside out-ing a t-shirt), like pulling back all Christ’s flesh to show what’s to the naked eye not been on visible display. The three seeing the human Christ in effulgent glory!

 

[Illus] To look directly at the blazing sun, in fact, with ruin your eyes. It will destroy them. I think about the fact that for Peter, James, and John to look into this blaze meant they were both physically and spiritually protected. Not unlike the protection afforded to Moses when protected by the cleft of the rock, seeing the LORD’s glory passing by.

 

  • Jacob wrestling with the Lord!

 

ESV  Genesis 32:26 Then he said, "Let me go, for the day has broken." But Jacob said, a"I will not let you go unless you bless me." (Gen 32:26 ESV)

 

  • Moses, engaging God, receiving the Law, the inner sanctum of tabernacle, Holy of Holy’s.

 

ESV  Exodus 33:18-23 Moses said, "Please ashow me your glory."

19 And he said, a"I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The LORD.' And bI will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

20 But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for aman shall not see me and live."

21 And the LORD said, "Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock,

22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a acleft of the rock, and I will bcover you with my hand until I have passed by.

23 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall anot be seen."

(Exo 33:19-23 ESV)

 

  • Or, when the angel of the LORD came to predict and prepare Samson’s parents for his arrival.

 

ESV  Judges 13:22-23 And Manoah said to his wife, a"We shall surely die, for we have seen God."

23 But his wife said to him, "If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering at our hands, or shown us all these things, or now announced to us such things as these." (Jdg 13:22-23 ESV)

 

  • Or Isaiah’s vision where he was disintegrating before his vision with the LORD.

 

ESV  Isaiah 6:1-7 In the year that aKing Uzziah died  (Isa 6:1 ESV)I bsaw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train1 of his robe filled the temple.

2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had asix wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

3 And one called to another and said: a"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; bthe whole earth is full of his glory!"1

4 And athe foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and bthe house was filled with smoke.

5 And I said: "Woe is me! aFor I am lost; bfor I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the cKing, the LORD of hosts!"

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.

7 And he atouched my mouth and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for." (Isa 6:1-7 ESV)

 

  • Finally, the account of Joshua when in God’s presence, when God’s people were in the post-exilic world after the fall of Jerusalem (586/587 BC).

 

ESV  Zechariah 3:1-6 Then he showed me aJoshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and bSatan1 standing at his right hand to accuse him.

 2 And the LORD said to Satan, a"The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has bchosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this ca brand1 plucked from the fire?"

3 Now aJoshua was standing before the angel, fclothed with filthy garments.

4 And the angel said to athose who were standing before him, b"Remove the filthy garments from him." And to him he said, "Behold, cI have taken your iniquity away from you, and dI will clothe you with pure vestments."

5 And I said, a"Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD was standing by.

6 And the angel of the LORD solemnly assured aJoshua, (Zec 3:1-6 ESV)

 

[Point] Every account reveals the LORD’s protective grace for people to encounter God’s glory and survive. Same for Peter, James, and John.

 

  1. Christ initiates mixed responses

 

  1. First responders

 

Verses 3-4 open a first round response to this incredible display of glory.

 

  • Christ’s glory warrant’s pure and undefiled worship.
    • First worshippers to mirror back Christ’s glory to himself are Moses and Elijah.
      • Foreshadowing the resurrection.
        • All believers will enjoy this blessing.
        • Being recognizable after death.

 

  • Returning, both named and fully functioning both in physical form.
    • Exactly in what capacity, we do not know.
    • But we know they were known and recorded under the inspiration of the Spirit as them.

 

[Question] “So, why them?”

 

  • These patriarchs represent the full sweep of Bible history.

 

[Illus] Moses is the central figure of OT redemption, the human representative of deliverance of Israel, from the slave market to the Promised Land. Moses, in a sense reaches backward from Creation, to Abraham’s promise, to the full deliverance of God’s people to Israel, making him the representative of all the patriarchs.

 

Elijah is the central figure reaching forward to the Messiah’s coming. So, like Moses, Elijah as a prophet represents all the prophets and their message pointing to the future redemption which comes from Christ. Moses and Elijah, quite poetically, represent all the Law and the Prophets.

 

At the same time, they serve to validate that all the Law and all the prophets all points to Christ. It has always been about Him.

 

Yes, the experience of this scene of glory is an unfathomable validation of Christ. That said, there is the witness of glory in the heart of every believer that says, “Yes indeed” all that the Bible says pointing to Christ is true!

 

ESV  Luke 24:27 And abeginning with bMoses and call the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luk 24:27 ESV)

 

  • No two better they to validate Christ.
    • Moses was the human deliverer, writer of the Pentateuch, entrusted with the Law.

 

  • Elijah was God’s defender, defending God’s reputation before the pagan world, was God’s hero to slay idolatry, representative of the line of prophets and all their predictions of Messiah.

 

  • Luke pictures Peter, James, and John waking up to see Christ’s glory bouncing off of the between Christ, Moses, and Elijah.

 

Verse 3 says that a conversation between Moses and Elijah and Jesus ensued.

 

  • BTW, this is why we know these men were Moses and Elijah.
    • They conversed with Christ.
    • What they said, bore witness to who they were.
      • Moses, 14th Century, B.C.
      • Elijah, 8th Century, B.C.

 

  • Talking! Outside of their life-time periods.

 

  • By the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses, let every fact be confirmed.
    • Jesus was an eyewitness, as Creator.
    • Peter, James, John corroborated the witness.
      • Retrospective to Matthew, recorded under inspiration of Spirit.
      • Father, Son, HS.

 

  • “What in the world were they saying to each other?”
    • I’m not sure of all of it, Matthew doesn’t tell us.
      • The closest living illustration to the fact that in heaven.
      • We will have some, if not all our questions answered.

 

[Illus] “So, [says Moses and Elijah] this is why I had to be tested in this way of that…”

“All of what we went through fleeing Pharoah, crossing the Red Sea, running from fiery serpents, all led up to this…” “Facing the prophets of Baal all pointing to you…” All was to get us to this point.

 

  • Luke summarizes focus of their conversation.

 

ESV  Luke 9:30-31 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah,

31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure,1 which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. (Luk 9:30-31 ESV)

 

  • Jesus is simply continuing to converse about the next step toward Jerusalem, what his disciples overhear and still need to embrace.

 

Verse 4, Peter’s response to all he sees, to say the least, is not his best showing.

 

  • Peter’s zeal to do the right thing is commendable, but so many things that seem

commendable, fall short into mere pragmatics.

 

[Appl] It is difficult to stomach the ways the church, time after time, falls into this same digression of pragmatics.

 

How can we program for, stage for, capture, catalyze God’s glory? Like (a child) capturing fireflies to harness their beauty, putting them inside a jar to share with others. Ensconced, they suffocate and become lifeless.

 

  • Peter’s motive appears to be good enough.
    • Peter’s lapse of judgment, not malicious.
      • Putting, Moses and Elijah on equal footing with Christ.
      • Peter was not wanting to worship men.
        • Peter wanted to capture the moment.
        • Press pause and keep this in stasis.
          • Saying, “It does not get any better than this.”
          • “We have heaven!”

 

  • Peter’s putting the pieces together of the Redemption Puzzle.
    • Moses and Elijah point to Christ and we have Christ.
    • Let’s set it up to capture and perpetuate, heaven on earth.

 

  1. Second responder

 

Verse 5 brings up another voice, a wholly other voice, from the other side.

 

  • Another realm.
    • Humbled Peter was a verbal processor.
      • Peter’s taking off with his grandiose vision to keep this thing going.
        • The Ultimate Over-Voice interrupts him!
          • Speaks into this circumstance.
          • Ultimate Corrective!

 

  • “He was still speaking when…” (v. 5).
    • Like on top of Mount Sinai when the LORD gave the Law to Moses.
    • “…a bright cloud overshadowed them” (v. 5).

 

  • Shining brilliance Christ, in concert with Father’s foreboding presence coming as “…a bright cloud [that] overshadowed them” (v. 5).
    • Then, “…a voice from the cloud” (v. 5).
      • All of this must have blown their minds.
        • Seeing Christ’s unveiled glory.
        • Sudden appearance of Moses and Elijah, combined with God the Father’s “bright cloud” and “voice” presence!

 

  • “What did God the Father say?”
    • “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to him” (v. 5).
      • Same phrase the Father says over his Son at his baptism.

 

ESV  Matthew 3:17 and behold, aa voice from heaven said, b"This is my beloved Son,1 with whom I am well pleased." (Mat 3:17 ESV)

 

  • Parallel statements, no accident.
    • To initiate Christ’s mission and ministry.
      • Validating Messiah, to preach KINGDOM.

 

  • At end of 3 years, Christ narrows focus to death and resurrection.

 

  • First validation for people to follow him as Savior.

 

  • Second to validate way of the Cross!
    • Death and resurrection.
      • Take up you cross.

 

  • Parallel phrases distinguished by end of verse 5, “…listen to him” (v. 5).
    • “You have seen Christ as Messiah” now “Listen to the hardest thing Christ your Messiah has just told you!”
      • A step harder.
        • Hear Jesus, embrace by faith!
        • One final step.

 

  • Culmination of mission is sacrifice.

 

  • Disciples heard Christ and believed he would go to the Cross.
    • Still sad, fatigued, and crying themselves exhaustive sleep.

 

  • Needed to “Listen to him!”

 

[Appl] Difference between hearing the Word and not listening to it!   

 

  • Third responders

 

[TRANS] Attention now turns to “the disciples” (v. 6).

 

  • Peter’s not flying solo, the trio acting in unison.
    • God says, “listen” (v. 5) and “…the disciples heard…” (v. 6).
      • Now hearing by faith.
        • The reason is their response.
        • Heard the Father’s admonition; hearing the Son’s prediction.

 

  • “…they fell on their faces and were terrified” (v. 6).
    • Falling down is a posture of submission.

 

  • Yes, “terrified” (v. 6).
    • Straight fear from the LORD’s demonstrative presence?
    • Or, what the LORD was commanding them to do?
      • “Listen to him.”
        • Mission? Or God’s Presence?
        • In either case, fear warranted.

 

  • Other encounters, seeing God, where people believed death would occur.

 

ESV  Judges 13:22 And Manoah said to his wife, a"We shall surely die, for we have seen God." (Jdg 13:22 ESV)

 

ESV  2 Samuel 6:7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and aGod struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God. (2Sa 6:7 ESV)

 

ESV  Leviticus 10:1 Now aNadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, beach took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered cunauthorized1 fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them.

(Lev 10:1 ESV)

 

ESV  Isaiah 6:5 And I said: "Woe is me! aFor I am lost; bfor I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the cKing, the LORD of hosts!" (Isa 6:5 ESV)

 

ESV  Ezekiel 1:28 Like the appearance of athe bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of bthe glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, cI fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking. (Eze 1:28 ESV)

 

ESV  Luke 2:9 And an angel of the Lord aappeared to them, and bthe glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. (Luk 2:9 ESV)

 

ESV  John 18:6 aWhen Jesus1 said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. (Joh 18:6 ESV)

 

ESV  Matthew 28:1-4 abNow after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and bthe other Mary went to see the tomb.

2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for aan angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.

3 aHis appearance was like lightning, and bhis clothing white as snow.

4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and abecame like dead men. (Mat 28:1-4 ESV)

 

ESV  Acts 9:3-5 aNow as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

(4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ame?"

5 And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, awhom you are persecuting. (Act 9:3-5 ESV)

 

ESV  Revelation 1:14-17 aThe hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. bHis eyes were like a flame of fire,

15 ahis feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and bhis voice was like the roar of many waters.

16 aIn his right hand he held seven stars, bfrom his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and chis face was like the sun shining din full strength.

17 aWhen I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But ahe laid his right hand on me, bsaying, "Fear not, cI am the first and the last, (Rev 1:14-17 ESV) (Rev 1:14 ESV)

 

  1. Christ comforts fears

 

[KEY] In response to his disciples falling down, “…Jesus came and touched them” (v. 7),

 

  • Endearing pastoral step.
    • Jesus drew near to his terrified friends.
    • And physically touched them.

 

  • Christ glory mingled with Father’s awful presence had caused his disciples to crumble.

 

[Appl] Crushed by the Lord to yield, often being crushed is the end goal for Christ and his friends.

 

  • Jesus wants them to listen.
    • To hear his plan.
    • Embrace his will.

 

  • “Rise and have no fear” (v. 7).

 

 

Verse 8, “And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only” (v. 8).

 

[Review] Jesus had made his point, having revealed his glory, being validated by OT saints, and confirmed by his heavenly Father, Christ is the POINT.

 

  • All other parties are gone.
    • Eerie hushed environment.
      • Atop this snowy mountain.
      • Only Jesus.

 

  • This is grace and comfort.

 

  • Jesus brings everything into this moment to ask, “Will you listen to me?”

 

Conclusion: “Did they listen to Jesus?”

 

ESV  2 Peter 1:16-21 For we did not follow acleverly devised bmyths when we made known to you cthe power and dcoming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but ewe were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, a"This is my beloved Son,1 with whom I am well pleased,"

18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on athe holy mountain.

19 And awe have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention bas to a lamp shining in a dark place, until cthe day ddawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,

20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.

21 For ano prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God bas they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2Pe 1:16-21 ESV)

 

“Are you listening to Jesus?”

 

“Listen to Jesus’ word?

 

  1. Missing Elijah, who was John (vv. 9-13)
  2. Forgetting meaningful faith (vv. 14-20)
  3. Mustering courage for the Cross (vv. 22-23)
  4. Exercising freedom from oppressors (vv. 24-27)

 

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