A Glimpse of Glory

I love a good super-hero story. I admit it— I was the kid who would use this great imagination and make up stories and epic conquests in the woods or fields surrounding my childhood home. Tales of saving the town or lovely lady from the evil dragon or whatever villain may have tried to disrupt the peace—acting out epic scenes, devising heroic plans. I even secretly carried this imaginative habit into my own athletic career— leaping tall buildings and running as fast as a “Flash”.

(image of Flash)

As we grow in maturity— we don’t often see Jesus as a super-hero in the same sense of the word, but in today's passage, we will get to see Jesus in a way that He had not been seen before— Some suggest that we get to see Jesus as he always has been.

The apostle John captures this when he starts his gospel:

John 1:14 NIV

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

There is a study of Jesus: In theological circles, it’s called “Christology”— what is our understanding of Jesus? It’s a nice followup to last week’s question— remember back in Cesarea Philippi? Who do we say Jesus is? Some of us were really inspired last week— Jesus is my super-hero.

Today we further that Christological study— with another story that stretches our minds and hopefully increases our understanding of who Jesus is. He is both truth— and grace--- he is both fully God and fully Man!

Christology: a branch of theology relating to the person and nature of Christ.

Among those blessed to be with Jesus, three men are singled out in chapter 17: Peter, James and John...

There is a bit of background that helps us to further understand today’s verses from Chapter 17--

We weren’t able to include a message on these parts of chapter 16— but I wanted to highlight a couple key things that set this section up:

Jesus had just made two amazing statements:

Matthew 16:27-28 are powerful background passages for chapter seventeen.

He would come in glory and reward each person according to his works -

Matthew 16:27 NIV

27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

As supporting evidence, some would not taste death before they saw...

"the Son of Man coming in His kingdom" -

Matthew 16:28 NIV

28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

There are two distinct and important episodes within this passage:

The transfiguration— a kind of “epiphany”— a breakthrough experience for Peter, James, and John (v. 1-9)

A discussion about Elijah and end-times expectations. (v. 10-13)

The Glory of Jesus the Son

Matthew 17:1 NIV

1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

A mountain top was frequently used as a place to meet God. Think Moses and the ten commandments, Jesus retreating to high places to pray, etc.

This is a very special trip for these hand-picked disciples.

This has an interesting similarity to Moses— found in Exodus 24— This is where Moses, Aaron, and two other men ascend a mountain and meet God. After 6 days the divine voice is heard from a cloud or fog that has covered the mountain. Also when Moses descends back down, his face shines due to the interaction with the Glory of God. The parallels are pretty remarkable.

Jesus takes three disciples on a hike to the top of a mountain. (v. 1)

Matthew 17:2 NIV

2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

Transfigured here is the Greek word metamorphoo — where we get our English word, metamorphosis. A change— like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon that it created as a caterpiller! Jesus’ face and even his clothing has changed drastically to reflect His power and His purity.

Jesus is changed into something different. (v. 2)

Shining faces are not only found in the past— but Jesus is depicted this same way in the future as well:

John describes Jesus in his Revelation— and does a nice job of it— because here he has seen this before!

Revelation 1:16 NIV

16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

For Matthew, this transfiguration story has two powerful meanings, and he describes these events with that in mind:

#1 Matthew knows that this event proclaims that the glory that once surrounded Moses now surrounds Jesus.

#2 It gives a preview of the risen Jesus after the resurrection.

(Remember, Matthew writes the narrative here AFTER the events of the resurrection and ascension have already happened)

Matthew 17:3 NIV

3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

Jesus is joined by two visitors from the past, Moses and Elijah. (v. 3)

As if it couldn’t get any more crazy for Peter, James and John— these two show up out of nowhere— and the way this is written leads us to believe that there was NO doubt who they were.

Luke’s parallel account expands on this part — which gives us some hint about what they are talking about:

Luke 9:30–31 NIV

30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.

The presence of Moses and Elijah has baffled scholars and theologians for ages— we can only speculate, since Jesus doesn’t really explain much of what is going on here.

A very sound interpretation has risen:

Moses represents the “Law”.

Elijah represents the “Prophets”. (see Matt 5:17)

Moses and Elijah are absolutely “central” figures of the Old Testament period. Moses is the prototype saviour— leading the people out of captivity, freeing them and leading them to become a distinct nation— Moses delivers the Law— including the 600+ rules and regulations for living according to God’s law.

Elijah is the prophet--

He was a man of great power. Elijah performed many miracles, including bringing fire down from heaven, raising the dead, and causing a drought. These miracles showed the power of God and the authority of Elijah as His prophet.

He was a man of great compassion. Elijah cared deeply for the people of Israel, even when they were unfaithful to God. He was always willing to help them and to lead them back to God.

Elijah is also known as a precursor, or a sign that the Messiah is coming.

Most scholars and writers agree that Moses and Elijah represent the “Law and the Prophets” — as a connection of the Old and New Covenants— Jesus is the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 5:17) The disciples are given a front row seat.

Malachi 4:4–5 NIV

4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.

Horeb is another name for Mount Sinai.

Meanwhile— Peter gets the great idea to share some hospitality with the group!

Matthew 17:4 NIV

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Just like you and I probably would— Peter wants to stay on the mountain top with Jesus, Moses, Elijah— James and John! What a camp out that would be!

Peter desires to stay on the mountain top with the group! (v. 4)

Who wouldn’t want this connection between heaven and earth to last forever? But that is not God’s plan at all:

Matthew 17:5 NIV

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

God the Father interrupts Peter, and identifies and affirms Jesus, and admonishes us all to listen carefully. (v.5)

Identification, Affirmation, Admonition

This is my Son

Whom I love and am pleased with

Listen to Him!

This once again echoes back to the days of Moses: (it is generally believed that Moses wrote the core teachings in Deuteronomy:

Deuteronomy 18:15 (NIV)

15 The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.

Deuteronomy 18:18–19 NIV

18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name.

Matthew 17:6 NIV

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.

Matthew 17:7 NIV

7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”

Confronted with God’s presence in the cloud— the disciples fall face down, terrified.

But Jesus lifts their chins— he’s the Good Shepherd. Divine assurance that they are safe with Him—

Matthew 17:8 NIV

8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

Jesus alone is sufficient now. But it is not God’s plan for us to stay on the mountaintop—we are called to obey Him and follow him back down into the valley. Even on to the city of Jerusalem, and to the end of the earthly life of Jesus.

Matthew 17:9 NIV

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

This part of the Gospel account is never shared— until after the resurrection.

Jesus and Elijah

A transition occurs next— the disciples ask an interesting question. (v. 10)

Matthew 17:10 NIV

10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

This is a reference back to Malachi— remember chapter 4 verses 4-5. Elijah will come.

An underlying issue directed at Jesus is present in this question. Many scholars believe the teachers of the law— the Pharisees and scribes— were using this very scripture to refute that Jesus was the Messiah. “We haven’t seen Elijah”… So how have the Messiah come if we haven’t seen Elijah?

Jesus’ reply here makes some really great points:

Matthew 17:11–12 NIV

11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”

Jesus answers their question (v.11):

Expecting Elijah to come before the Messiah is correct.

Elijah has already come.

Those teachers did not recognize John the Baptist as Elijah.

Jesus’ fate will be the same as John the Baptists.

This isn’t a new concept— He actually stated the same thing to them back in chapter 11:

Matthew 11:9–10 NIV

9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

That’s a quote from Malachi 3:1

Malachi 3:1 NIV

1 “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

Matthew 11:13–14 NIV

13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.

With this sequence— Jesus leads his disciples back to the thought of His suffering.

Ultimately, the disciples do finally grasp the bigger picture here—”

Matthew 17:13 NIV

13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

As we come to a conclusion here— you might be wondering how to process all this. That’s normal. I join you in that. We are talking about some heavy stuff here. This is indeed “Christology”— the study of Jesus the Christ.

This scripture presents a vision that leads us to obedience.

We ultimately want to see Jesus for who he REALLY is— and then DO what He tells us to do!

By and large, much of the commentary that has been written on these passages throughout history focus in on one little phrase that I want you to catch today. It’s right at the end of verse 5.

Matthew 17:5 (NIV)

“Listen to him!”

Leo the Great served as Pope of the Roman Church from 440AD- 461AD.

This is what he, one of the Church Fathers— wrote about these passages:

“A voice from the cloud said “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him. I am manifested through his preaching, I am glorified through his humility. Listen to Him, whom the mysteries of the law foreshadowed, the mouths of the prophets sang. Listen to Him, who by his blood redeemed the world, who binds the devil… Listen to Him who opens the way to heaven and by the pain of the cross prepares for you the steps of ascent into His kingdom forever”. Leo the Great, Pope from 440-461 AD.

Let’s pray:

Jesus be the center of it all. You are so good to us— you are our super-hero. I pray we would see you as you truly are— we want a glimpse of your glory everyday. We stand ready and listening to you alone Jesus— and we pray for your wisdom and strength to obey you— doing what you say. Amen.