Get up, and don't be afraid

Prayer

Verse:

Matthew 17:1–8 “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 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.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”

INTRODUCTION (3–4 min)

Theologically, this passage is commonly known as “The Transfiguration”

Pivotal moment in the life of Christ and the disciples

This passage of scripture represents everything I love about the Word of God

There are many layers of meaning in this story.

Bear with me here

I want to point out just a few things

Six days later

In Matthew 16:21–28, Jesus predicts His suffering, death, and resurrection, and calls His disciples to take up their cross.

The “six days later” connection shows the Transfiguration as a divine confirmation of that path — what do i mean by that?

In Exodus 24:15–16, Moses goes up Mount Sinai, and the cloud covers it for six days before God speaks on the seventh.

In Genesis, God creates the world in six days, with the seventh being a day of completion and holiness.

The six-day gap teaches that spiritual revelation often comes after a period of waiting, preparation, and obedience.

Park and emphasize those 3

-OR-

2. Not a random event but at an appointed time

The Transfiguration was not a random event; it came at the appointed time (here me now!)

after the disciples had been challenged to see the cross as central to Christ’s mission.

Your transformation is not a random event, but comes at an appointed time

After you have been challenged to see the central mission of Christ in your life

Kairos v. Chronos

Chronos (χρόνος) — (Our time) Reflects human measurement of time: days, seasons, years. (Watch = Chronometer)

Kairos (καιρός) — (God’s Time) Describes divinely appointed moments of decision, fulfillment, or intervention (Romans 5:6; Galatians 6:9).

God works in chronos, but His plan unfolds at kairos moments (e.g., Jesus came “in the fullness of time” — Galatians 4:4).

When Chronos and Kairos Align

This is where transformation and divine movement occur.

When human time intersects with God’s appointed purpose.

Alignment means that our faithfulness in daily chronos prepares us to recognize and step into God’s kairos.

-OR-

3. The Cost of Discipleship

This passage also connects two pivotal moments:

the revelation of the cost of discipleship (Matthew 16)

and the revelation of Christ’s glory (Matthew 17).

Peter’s impulse to stay on the mountain mirrors the human tendency toward what theologian Deitrich Bonhoeffer, in his book The Cost of Discipleship refers to as “cheap grace”

Wanting the glory without the cost.

Peter wanted to hang out in the glory… Pitching tents for Elijah, Jesus and Moses

Yet, God’s voice commands, “Listen to Him,” pointing to Jesus’ words about the cross as the necessary road of discipleship.

You see, Peter wanted to hang out at the mountaintop

But it is the vision at the mountaintop that strengthens us for the mission in the valley

and the true follower of Christ must embrace both the suffering and the glory in obedience to God’s call.

Sometimes we want to just hang out in church, in the glory of God

I remember when I was going thru..… I hated to leave church

Bishop Keith Reid: “On Monday it’s a Test!!” (Examples)

TRANSITION

.....But today...We are focusing on the verbs!

The verbs of Jesus

Go back to elementary school...the verb… the action words

You see, the true character of a person is revealed in what they do

You see you can theologize Jesus...you can… try to lay down a theology or doctrine of right and wrong, but if you do not understand who Jesus was, and is and how he moves in our life...YOU HAVE MISSED IT...

In the words of my good friend and fraternal Brother..... Michael Weaver.… do you know… or do you REALLY know

My task, for as long as the Lord has me assigned to this house it that we create a body of believers that REALLY KNOW

The Examination

Lets enter into an examination of some of the verbs of Jesus in this passage…

and the neat thing about the verbs is when we put them all together, they tell us a story, the give us guidance, and serve as a reminder in daily life

I want us to see how the actions of Jesus still shape our journey

The verbs in this passage reveal how Jesus actively engages His followers

then.... and now....—to prepare them for what’s ahead.

I. JESUS TOOK (v. 1) (5 min)

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother,

He Takes.....

Exegesis: Greek word paralambanō — to take along, receive into one’s company.

Not random; deliberate choosing of Peter, James, and John.

Biblical insight: Jesus takes them away from the crowd to a place where they can see Him more clearly.

Jesus takes you away from the crowd to a place where you can see him more clearly

Jesus took you away from the crowd to a place where you could see him more clearly

Jesus still takes today...

You are trying to figure out why folk done got funny acting and silent on you.… but it aint them...he took you! He separated you!

You thought you found your people, your crew, your team, your running buddies.......but all of a sudden they just got weird on you.

You trying to figure out what in the world you could have done to deserve this treatment....(because if we are honest...rejection hurts)....… but you realize you’ve done nothing to these people…

HE TOOK YOU!

HE TOOK, JESUS TAKES

He knew you wouldn’t leave that band of vipers, that were not connected to your future

He heard the conversations that they had about you when you were not around

He saw and felt the love you had for them, that was not returned...So he TOOK you… Jesus takes

1 John 2:19 “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” (1 John 2:19, KJV)

He took you from that Job

He took you from that friendship

He took you from that relationship...you were being blind, a fool, just enamored by a soldier of satan..and He took you!

You think they just broke up with you...

(I’ve tried my best, to do my best) Out of nowhere...they just filed for divorce.....He took you!

You may have been sad and confused...you may be sad and confused....

You are precious in the eyes of God!

That’s just the Blood working in your life

It may not feel like it now...but a prayer is being answered

He will use an unexpected pause in life—to prepare us for what’s next.

Question for reflection: What might Jesus be taking you away from so you can see Him better?

HE TOOK!

***AFTER HE TAKES YOU HE LEADS YOU***

II. JESUS LED (v. 1) — Guided Ascent (5 min)

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

The next verb we will examine is “led”

Jesus takes you then he leads you (A Guided Ascent)

Exegesis: Anapherō — to lead up, to bring to a higher place. It’s both physical (up the mountain) and spiritual (to deeper understanding).

Biblical insight: Mountains are places of revelation (Moses, Elijah). This is preparation before the valley (coming crucifixion).

Jesus leads us upward—even when it’s hard or uncomfortable.

Sometimes you are misunderstood

Sometimes it’s lonely

Watch this.… Sometimes you’re lonely while in relationship

In a marriage

While surrounded by family

This is the process of Sanctification,

You see, as he leads you he continues to set you apart

The scales are slowly removed from your eyes

You begin see sin for exactly what it is...Sin

There is a positional and a progressive dimension

You are being led up the mountain....by...your...self

The Pruning

God’s intentional process of removing anything in a believer’s life that hinders spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

While it can be uncomfortable,

it is motivated by love,

aimed at Christlikeness,

and results in a greater harvest for the Kingdom.

HE LEADS!

III. JESUS CAME (v. 7) — Approaching in Our Fear (5 min)

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.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them

Notice - God spoke...and the disciples fell in fear

After he takes you and leads you...you a moment, you just feel out there!!!

Can’t relate to anyone

You see things, that people in your old life can not relate too

But you don’t feel quite “holy” enough for the church folk

You can feel out of place in this world

And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.

Many theologians believe that the transfiguration, and the appearance of Moses and Elijah was something that only the disciples were able to see

Not a natural function of ordinary human eyes

But God given

God granted the disciples the power to see what otherwise would have been invisible to mortal perception

They saw, what other people, could not see!!!

Anyone standing by them would think they were crazy!

BUT JESUS GETS THIS..… THATS WHY HE COMES TO YOU!!!

HE CAME TO THEM

God’s instruction...God’s glory can be overwhelming,

but Jesus bridges the gap. He comes close in our trembling moments.

He feels your frear, he understands your fear

Watch this… He honors your fear!

Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

That fear is expected

Which leads to our next verb....

So far...he took, he led, he came....next...

IV. JESUS TOUCHED (v. 7) — Personal Restoration (5 min)

But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”

Exegesis: Haptō — to fasten to, to kindle. Not just physical contact, but an act that ignites courage.

Jesus’ touch ignites courage

Folks think you too bold, to verbose… But HE TOUCHED YOU!

THAT PERSONAL RESTORATION FROM JESUS IGNITES COURAGE! IGNITES BOLDNESS!

You see that world as it is through the eyes of God

You see the liar for the liar they are...a snake for the snake they are… you call a demon a demon

And you don’t care who agrees ....he touched you!

Pauls tells us in 2 Timothy 4:2 “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”

In season..… when people want to hear it

Out of season… when people don’t want to hear it

Just as with the disciples...when you lift up your eyes......YOU SEE NO ONE BUT JESUS!!!

You see people clamor for favor in the eyes of a demon

Your in the store....You don’t see a cashier..… you see a prophet

You don’t see an Uber driver, you see an Evangelist

But also..… you don’t see an executive..… You see a manipulator

You don’t see a CEO.. you see a scared little insecure boy

You see how people lie, cheat and steal.… all for a seat or position in the kingdom of darkness

And when they earn that position, they thank God for it!!!

God wasn’t no where in that!!!

Its a principality!!! You see it for what it is...

YOU SEE IT FOR WHAT IT IS.....

You see things as they are in the Kingdom!

HE TOUCHED YOU!!

JESUS TOUCHED!

V. JESUS SAID: “GET UP AND DON’T BE AFRAID” (v. 7) — Empowered Courage (5–6 min)

Exegesis: “Get up/Rise”: Egeiro...restoration to life, courage, and readiness..”Be afraid” Phobeo (where we get the word.. phobia)...being overwhelmed with dread at the holy presence of God

Put them together...

After he took and led and came and touched you...he restores you to life, courage and readiness

He tells now, it’s time to GET UP! And Don’t Be afraid!

Jesus is calling them from paralyzing fear into resurrection-like courage

Empowered Courage

Biblical insight: Jesus doesn’t leave them on the ground; He empowers them to stand in God’s glory without terror.

Application today: In our climate of political instability, climate crisis, and racial tension, Jesus’ word is still: Get up. Don’t be afraid.

News cycle connection: Fear is currency in the media today. Jesus gives a counter-narrative: rise with courage because He is with you.

Call to action:

We must Stand up in faith and serve boldly in a fearful world.

CONCLUSION (3–4 min)

Recap verbs: Took (chooses us), Led (guides us upward), Came (draws near), Touched (restores us), then tells us...Get up and dont be afraid! (empowers us).

We are called to leave here ready to live courageously in our own valleys.

On Monday, its a test!!!

But Get up...and dont be afraid!

Do not forget that we are called to be sheep among wolves.......GET UP, AND DONT BE AFRAID!

Whenever you are trying your best to do your best.… and folks are ostracizing you

Just think of the verbs of Jesus...

telL yourself.......TOOK, LED, CAME, TOUCHED, NOW GET UP AND DONT BE AFRAID!

Racism at work...TOOK, LED, CAME, TOUCHED, NOW GET UP AND DONT BE AFRAID!

Baby momma, baby daddy drama...TOOK, LED, CAME, TOUCHED, NOW GET UP AND DONT BE AFRAID!

You walk in a room and you feel the funny energy...you know folks been talking about you...TOOK, LED, CAME, TOUCHED, NOW GET UP AND DONT BE AFRAID!

Dont give up! Dont give in… He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world

GET UP! AND DON’T BE AFRAID!!!

In Jesus name!