The High Mountain and the Lowly Hill

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 146

Psalm 146 ESV

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord!

Scripture Reading: Psalm 121:1-2

Psalm 121:1–2 ESV

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Communion

Sermon

GMC! I was Glad when they said to me let us go and worship in the house of the Lord!

Well Today is a very special day for a few reasons. One: It is the one Sunday I get to say top all of you, Glad you are hear, I haven't seen you all since last year! Two: we are done with advent and so we can now get back to our normal series which is going through the book of Matthew. and for that I am really excited. This week when I got back into the office and started working on my sermon it was really nice. I came home and told Desiree “I missed Matthew”. Really when you spend this long in a series you do grow a certain type of fondness for the book you are in. You begin to understand the author in a different way, you recognize things that are happening. I just really enjoy it. And we have been in this series a while. this is actually the 52nd Sermon in this series, so if we hadn’t taken breaks, which there have been a few, we would be exactly 1 year into this series.

So If you would turn with me to Matthew chapter 17 we are going to be looking at a beautiful and important and famous passage in the book of Matthew, verse 1 through 13 what is commonly called the transfiguration. But since it has been 5 weeks since we have looked at Matthew, I would like to give a quick recap of the book thus far, to make sure we all have the context fresh in our minds and to lay the groundwork.

If you will recall, we said that Matthew was structured around narratives and discourses. So there will be a teaching by Jesus, or a discourse and then there will be a series of stories, or narratives that Matthew has selected that give light and details to the teachings of Jesus. So we open with the genealogy, birth narratives and baptism then we have the first discourse, the longest and most famous discourse, the Sermon on the Mount. the purpose of the sermon on the mount was to show the great authority of Jesus. how do we know this, because Matthew 7:28-29 at the end of the SotM tell us.

Matthew 7:28–29 ESV

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

then the miracles narratives. here Jesus showed that authority by doing things such as healing the blind and deaf, casting out demons and calming a storm. Then the second discourse, the missions discourse. Here Jesus tells the disciples to proclaim the message: “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 10:7). He also told them that there would be opposition, that some might accept that message, but there would be many who would hate them and even persecute them, all for the sake oaf this message. Then we see some of this opposition taking place, we see the Pharisees come into focus as the antagonists of Jesus - testing him, hating him. Then the third discourse was the kingdom parables. Many parables tied together with a similar phrase: “The kingdom of heaven is like...” The kingdom that you are proclaiming disciples, it is time that you learn the nature of the kingdom. But here we begin to see the thought that lies at the heart really of all of Matthew, What sort of King rules over this Kingdom. He has authority, and he may face opposition, but WHO IS JESUS. that lead us to the middle high point, the critical turning point of the Book of Matthew, where the ministry takes a turn towards the cross, and that was the confession of Peter. Who do you say that I am, jesus asks the disciples, YOU ARE THE CHRIST THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD!” declares Peter. But what does all that mean, what does this look like, what is going on in the life and person of Jesus, how can we fully understand him and who he is? that is the question at the forefront of our passage for today. So with that in mind lets turn our attention to Matthew 17:1-13.

READ.

These are the words of the Lord for us this morning. Lets begin with a word of Prayer.

PRAY

Our Holy Father in Heaven, May you be honored in this place as Holy. We praise you and thank you for all that you do. you are great and greatly to be praise. you are strong and mighty and able and willing to save. We do pray that we would proclaim the truth that you called your disciples to proclaim, that the kingdom of heaven ins at hand. Truly, We pray that your kingdom would come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Speak to us according to your word today, give to us the word that we need for nourishment. I do pray that we would have eyes to see and ears to hear what you have said. Open our eyes to see the precious truths of who you are and what you have done, for you sent your son to save us. We pray these things in his name, the name that is above every other name, the name of Jesus Christ our Lord! AMEN!

So here we have what one commentator calls a “unique incidence in Jesus’ ministry” It is given to us in all three synoptics and it is important. For it communicates clearly who Jesus is in a deep and powerful way. It offers us a way to see truths that lie beyond this earth, for truly we have heaven and earth coming together in a powerful way that is literally and figuratively visible for us to see. There is a lot going on here, Jesu face and clothes shining brightly a visit from some long dead saints, Some disciples who have, not just the experience of a lifetime, but an experience of Eternity. It is a wonderful story that happens on a high mountain, as mentioned this is THE TRANSFIGURATION!

The high Mountain: TRANSFIGURATION

My hope here is that we see this for what it is. It is the highest of all high points in the earthly life of Jesus. I said that the theological high point was the confession of Peter, but here that theological high point is given to us in visible form. In many ways this is the truth of what Peter confessed seen in action. I could not overstate the importance of this, so today I would like to sort of walk you through some of the basics of how I approach this story, Peel back the layers of some of the things that are going on to give us a more robust picture of what is happening here. For there is a lot, and there is the temptation to sort of get lost in the woods. For example, As I read commentaries page after page described which mountain this could be, is it hermon or tabor or some other one (I will help you out, we don’t know, and I really don’t think that it matters too much!). there are details that tie this passage to countless OT passages or even forward to the book of Revelation. there is a lot going on here, so lets dive in to the first step in understanding what Is being told to us in this passage.

FIRST WE START WITH THE SETTING

First the STETTING

Setting has to do with time and place, and here is our first strange thought that occurs in this narrative, we are given a time. Matthew starts this passage with this thought: “After six days”. As I mentioned when you spend a lot of time in one book you begin to get a feel for how the author does things, and the feel of this one is quite weird. Matthew marks his transitions geographically. ”Going on form there”... “then they went too” or vague references, “after that” or just a simple “then” and this is important to note. Matthew has a desire to tell us the truth of who jesus is and what he has done, and so he does not give us every detail in an exact this is the exact order and exactly what happened in the order, that was the job of Luke, instead he sough to help us understand Jesus, and so knowing exact times was not his priority. So WHY IN THE WORLD DID HE TELL US AN EXACT TIME HERE? I have two answers. One: Look to context. Immediately before this Peter confessed: “You are the Christ, the son of the Living God” then Jesus said, your are right, and I have to go to Jerusalem to die. Peter pulled him aside, um no Jesus, that's not how this works and Jesu rebuked Peter. get Behind me satan., For not only Do I have to die, but you all need to take up your crosses and follow me too. What is going on - this is crazy. and Then Matthew tells us that it is not six days later that Jesus has this experience. Thus The timing is tying the transfiguration to the confession and the subsequent teaching in a way that is more tight than just a normal transition. And the selection of Six days tells us something else too, Something big is going to happen.

Matthew was writing to a people steeped in the OT, and so they would hear and know the importance of six days. It is possible a reference to Exodus 24:16

Exodus 24:16 ESV

The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud.

But even if not is an allusion to many OT thoughts, the biggest and most powerful is that the earth was made in six days, THEN ON THE SIXTH DAY GOD RESTED, and so there is a thought of entering into rest and glory that happens in this story. In other words, the time tells us that something big is happening, that will explain and deal with who Jesus is. But then we have to look at the place.

Again We do not know exactly which mountain this is. And it doesn't matter, what does matter is that this happens on a mountain, in fact, it happens “UP A HIGH MOUNTAIN”

When We note the location, it is a High Mountain, we have to understand that Mountains are important in Matthew. Matthew 5-7 is the SERMON ON THE MOUNT, in 14:23 Jesus prays on a mountain, in 15, 29-38 he heals many from a mountain, later he will give what is his second most famous teaching from the mount of olives known as the Olivet discourse, so here that he goes up the high mountain is not to be understated. Mountains are positions of power, or might, but also of important things. Just to hint at what is to come a few examples would be that Moses went up the mountain to be with God and get the Law, Elijah runs to a mountain to be comforted by God, Even the psalm of Ascent we read earlier together shows this thought as the psalmist calls out,

Psalm 121:1–2 ESV

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

But in the life of Jesus there is more. there is also more. In Matthew 4:8 he is taken on a mountain and shown the world and its glory, but here, on this mountain we see clearly Jesus’ glory! this is the antithesis, showing the difference between true and false glory! Thus we first start to see the importance in the setting but then we turn our attention to the CHARACTERS

Then the CHARACTERS

and here there are two groups worth noting. The first is the disciples. again two questions: one, why did he take three? Is there a reason that he would take three disciples more than just “because he wanted too” (which would have been a fine reason)? I would say that there is. simply put, because the law would require it.

Deuteronomy 17:6 ESV

On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.

Because Jesus took with him three witnesses to this event, we have sure testimony. One could make it up, even two we could think that they are scheming, but three, this is a true testimony. And Peter himself began to understand this importance . In 2 Peter 1:16 he says this:

2 Peter 1:16 ESV

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

so he took three so that more than just a blessing for them, they could be faithful and true witnesses of what they saw to proclaim the truth of Who Jesus was to the world. but then we could ask: Why these three? Why Peter James and john?

These three are often called by commentators “Elect out of the elect” and again one reason could be, because this is who Jesus liked the most, but I think that sells them sort (though John is the Beloved Disciple…) I would assert that it is because they serve a role in the foundation of the Church. Peter and his confession is what the church is built on, John and his brother James are , besides peter and MAYBE Paul the most influential men in the early church. John wrote the gospel of John, and the book of Revelation as well as 1,2,and 3 john. In terms of VOLUME of words he is second behind Luke, in terms of number of books written he is second behind Paul. These men would plant churches, be elders in churches and be the leaders of the Church, so It is good and right for them to be the first ones to see the glory of Christ. And it is always these three. WE will get later in Matthew to this thought, but also of note that tit is these same three that will see his agony in the garden of Gethsemane.

So that is the first group of Characters, they tell us something of what is going on and who it concerns, but there is another group, or more rightly a pair, the two that show up to have a chat with Jesus at this transfiguration, Moses and Elijah.

Why Moses and Elijah? Together it is because they represent the entire OT cannon. As you read through the NT you will often hear the phrase, over and over again, the Law and the prophets, the law and the Prophets, the Law and the prophets. If you were to put faces to the law and the prophets it would be like this: Moses; the law and Elijah, the prophets. These two become the figureheads of the entire OT in some ways. Thy are emblematic. So why moses and Elijah and not Abraham and David, or Jacob and Isaiah? because these two more clearly represent all that happens from Genesis one to now. So Law and prophets, moses and Elijah, they all point to Christ. So read the Law, it points to Jesus listen to the prophets, they will direct you to christ, It is always all about him and these to together show us that. They tells us that all the testimony of all that God has said is pointing us to this man, Jesus Christ.

But it is also interesting to understand that when we contemplate Moses and Elijah, another important thought is that Jesus is Better. At the Transfiguration Jesus face shines like the son. He is glowing with, to give you some of the theological details here, he is glowing with the glory of God. he is radiating the exuberant glory that, as the son, he has in eternity, now seen in the person of Jesus Christ. And here are Moses and Elijah, not glowing, just talking to Jesus. See Jesus gives us a law that is better than moses. Jesus is the prophet that is better than Elijah. This is a scriptural truth. Hebrews is really all about how Jesus is better. He is better than the angels. He is the priest better than any other high priest, he is the king that is better than David, He is always and in every way better. So By showing Jesus here with moses and Elijah what we see is that Jesus is better.

This then, understanding the setting and the characters gets us to grasping the POINT

Show us the POINT

There are two parts of this. the first is to understand the better-ness of Jesus. We cannot leave here without dealing with this thought. But there is a more important one, which is at the heart of why he is better.

This is Jesus shining in his glory. This is the true majesty and beauty and strength and glory. while for us we see this as a one time thing, truly this is Jesus as he truly is. For a time his glory was veiled, WE just came out of advent. In his humiliation, Jesus came to earth, took on human flesh, took on the form of an innocent baby, then grew and matured. God condescended into creation. but always there was fully God, AND fully man. his glory was thinly veiled, Paul would write. but here at the transfiguration that veil is pulled away and we see Jesus as he should be, and more importantly as he will be seen. This passage of scripture gets to the point that Jesus rules and reigns in glory FOREVER.

It is christological in its nature which is a really fancy way of saying this passage teaches us WHO JESUS IS. Surely the Lord was transformed into that glory with which he now has and which he will have at his glorious return.

So yes see his bitterness, but more so see Jesus, our Lord, our King, our God. This transfiguration is Not the external illumination of the man Jesus, but temporary uncovering of the Son of God’s intrinsic glory. WE see clearly here truths of heaven, we see hope for all mankind, we see the love grace mercy and goodness of God we see all this in the transfiguration.

But I would like to end here with one more point. I want to pick on Peter again, for just a second, partially because it is easy, but note it is only easy because we do this all the time. Just a little while ago Peter confessed Jesus was the Christ, “you are the Christ the son of the living God.” then right after that, when Jesus is like, OK you are right.. BUT. Matthew 16:21

Matthew 16:21 ESV

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

But peter hears this and pulls Jesus aside. no Jesus, I mean, you are wrong. I mean, this is kinda awkward with all that you are the Christ stuff I just said, but let me tell you that is not the plan. and Jesus tells him to “get behind me satan.” Peter you are missing the point, Yes I am the Christ, what you miss from this truth is that it includes suffering. And now here, some six days later Jesus is seen in glory, and peter misses the point again.

OK Peter says, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT! Jesus you were talking all that death and suffering stuff, no, this is it. I will build us some tents, a tent for you, you know what while I am here, i mean its not too much work I will build a tent for moses and Elijah we will get three tents, but THIS is what i was talking about! But again peter missed the point.

But he doesn't even get to finish that thought, no get behind me, God just cuts him off. Verse 5

Matthew 17:5 ESV

He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

Peter missed all the this over and over again, so I want us to learn from that, try and see the truth here. see that before this transfiguration, Matthew 16:21

Matthew 16:21 ESV

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

and then after his transfiguration Matthew 17:22-23

Matthew 17:22–23 ESV

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.

We cannot come and see this high mountain without remembering the lowly hill of Calvary!

But we must keep in mind the Lowly Hill: CALVARY

Here, on both sides of this, Jesus foretells his death and Resurrection. You cannot separate the transfiguration from Calvary, for to do so is to miss the heart of the Gospel. In Peter’s defense, he missed it hear, because to put it plainly it had not been fully revealed to him yet, but trust me, he did surely get it once he saw the resurrected Lord, and then he completely understood it at the day of Pentecost.

He eventually understood that the hope and truth involves the glory AND the cross. Sure here he was quite literally blinded by the light and probably a little confused, so cut him some slack here because he eventually got it. For what he eventually understood was that in the gospel we see things that angels wish they could see. how can we state this in the gospel? It is that the one who shines with glory would veil his deity in humanity, but would humble himself, Philippians, even to the point f death, even death on a cross.

Paul puts it this way in the book of Colossians, and this is what I would like to end with today.

Colossians 1:19–20 (ESV)

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

This is the transfiguration. That IN HIM the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, at the transfiguration we see what that looks like. It is no longer veiled in his humanity, we can see clearly that this is the fullness of God in Jesus Christ. SO in him the fullness of God was pleased to well, but Paul continues.

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Here is the hope. the hope is NOT some tents on some unknown mountain somewhere in the middle east. The hope is that the one who once transfigured, was then crucified died and buried. but then he rose victoriously on the third day. So now, being the first born form the dead, he does not commune with us from some mountain top somewhere in a tent, but because he made an offering by his own blood he has entered into the heavenly temple. WE have hope because the work of Chrsit washes us. We have hope that this savior seen for who he truly is would save us.

WE must fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. this is what Spurgeon writes on this passage:

The transfiguration occured but once: special views of the glory of Christ are not enjoyed every day. Our highest joy on earth is to see Jesus. There will be no greater bliss in heaven; but then we shall be better able to endure the exceeding bliss when we have laid aside the burden of this flesh.

The transfiguration gives us a glimpse of the future hope we have. that we will one day with resurrected glorified bodies be able to witness and see Jesus. Peter wanted to build three tents here. he wanted to live in this moment forever it was so powerful. He wanted to commemorate it and hold on as long as he could, but keeping in mid the High mountain AND the lowly hill we proclaim that We will get to experience that same Joy and excitement and holy reverent fear that Peter James and John did not for a brief night, but for eternity as we see Christ!

Lets pray!