Exegitical Outline

Bottom Line

Jesus is not just Godly. He is God.

Scripture Passage

Matthew 17:1–13 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. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 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.” 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!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 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.” 10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 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.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Background

Transfiguration comes on the heals of jesus sharing about his upcoming suffering and death. Up to this point, Jesus has been preaching and teaching of the coming of the Kingdom. The transfiguration gives hope for what glory will look like even after death and suffering. It also establishes Jesus as greater than the even greater prophets.

Connections

Call back to Moses, who God buried and is seen as the first “savior” of God’s people, and Elijah who never died.

This brings validation to and puts Jesus on a higher pedestal as he is who they focussed on and God spoke directly of him

Cloud appears as they were talking as it did for Moses in the wilderness. This is followed by direction from God as it was used as direction for the nation of Israel in the wilderness.

This represents the presence of God

The words of God mimic the words that were said when Jesus was baptized

Also seen in Deut 18:15 when the people were promised someone greater than Moses.

What is the passage saying?

Section 1: Inward change is outwardly bright (v. 1-3)

Jesus brought 3 of the 4 first disciples he called with him

The passage uses the word “transfiguration” which translates to Metamorphoomai which means “to transform.” This means that the change is not a physical change that leads to internal change. It is internal change that is outwardly visible.

The change bring on white clothes and glowing lights and brings back the heroes of Israel’s history to show a glimpse of Jesus’ future glory after he talked about suffering and death.

Connection piece....

Jesus himself endured through change that turned him inside out. Even God himself appeared to his disciples to give a glimpse of glory. If God mimics this for us, we should too be willing to be turned inside out to reveal a glimpse of his future glory.

Section 2: In order for Jesus to increase, we must decrease (v. 4-6)

Peter responds by asking Jesus if he should build 3 shelters. Peter is still in awe of the glory of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.

God affirms Jesus place as greater than even the greatest prophets.

When the dust settles and the disciples fall facedown in reverence, they only person they see on heels of that is Jesus.

This is the bridge of Jesus’ ministry on earth. It begins with him hearing the words “This is my son...” at his baptism and ends with the same language revealed before his death. New life in Christ means eternal glory.

Connection piece...

On the heels of suffering comes glory. But in the midst of suffering as we grasp for help, we try to hold on what is godly without seeing God right there. When the disicples’ sight was literally clouded Jesus was there to reveal his glory and those who were considered “godly” are no longer present as the voice of God affirms Jesus as God. Elijah and Moses (as the great prophets, must decrease so that Jesus might increase.

Section 2: Jesus’ glory is greater (v. 7-13)

Jesus’ command for silence grew out of his realization that the multitudes of Israel had a wrong concept of the Messiah. They wanted a conquering king. They did not anticipate a suffering Messiah.

The disicples, like all of Israel, misunderstood the promise that “Elijah would restore all things.” (Malachi 4:6)

Jesus explains that this prophecy had already been fulfilled with John the Baptist (Matthew 11:14). Instead of Israel responding in the way that God would have wanted them to, they did to John “whatever they wished" (Matthew 21:24-27) as they will do to Jesus.

Connection piece...

Are we looking at Jesus in HIS glory or are we still looking for our idea of who Jesus SHOULD be according to us? Jesus has revealed himself to us. We have seen his future glory, yet there is still confusion when we try to find him. Are we allowing ourselves to decrease so that he might increase?

Conclusion

Jesus is God

He has revealed Himself to us

We should look only to him

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

We are called into the same glory as God. To be people who reflect his light.

Put your focus on Jesus.