Transfigured Vision: Seeing Only Jesus

Secular -

There was a man who had been a faithful member of his church for 50 years. He sat in the exact same spot—third pew from the front, left side—every single Sunday. It was practically his "monument."

One Sunday, he arrived to find a young visitor sitting in "his" spot. The usher, sensing a crisis, hurried over and whispered to the visitor, "Excuse me, but you’re sitting in Mr. Miller’s seat."

The visitor, confused but polite, moved to the next pew over. After the service, the visitor approached Mr. Miller and asked, "Sir, I’m curious. Is there something special about that seat? Is it a memorial to a departed family member? Does it have a special view of the pulpit?"

Mr. Miller looked at him with total sincerity and said, "No. It’s just that it’s the only spot in the whole sanctuary where the heating vent doesn't blow directly on my toupee."

Historical/Cultural Context -

This Gospel is written by Matthew, also known as Levi who was a former tax collector. It was most likely written between AD 50-60. Matthew left everything behind to follow Jesus. Matthew wrote primarily to Jewish believers—people who knew the Old Testament well. Matthew had one goal: to prove that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the King of Kings, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. Connecting the Old Testament prophecies to the life of Christ, proving that every word God spoke was coming true in Jesus. The key themes of the Gospel include Jesus as King, The Kingdom of Heaven, Fulfillment of Prophecy and discipleship.

Biblical Text -

Matthew 17:1–13 NKJV

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - Put nothing before God. Hear, trust, and follow Jesus.

Life Point- Remember The Things Before, But Don’t Make An Idol Out Of Anything

Exegetical -

Matthew 17:1–4 BSB

After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus. 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.”

Homiletical -

6 days passes since Jesus has given the prophecy about those that will see Him in His coming glory.

He now takes three people with Him.

You ever wonder why he took 3? Because there is a precedent that you establish an event with 2 or 3 witnesses. They didn’t have video evidence and pictures so this was used in legal ways to make sure someone was telling the truth.

Deuteronomy 19:15 BSB

A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Jesus and Paul both reiterate this in the New Testament

Matthew 18:16 BSB

But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’

2 Corinthians 13:1 BSB

This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”

So what happened?

Well the scripture tells us that He was transfigured and His face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light.

Transfiguration, according to the original language, simply means that His physical form became different. It was somehow changed and we are told exactly how it was changed. His face became as bright as the sun and His clothes became as white as the light.

Today we often just read this passage and say OK, neat. But think what it would have been like to have been there and seen this transfiguration. It would have been something to behold. Something that in all of history no one had ever really seen it before.

Look at the disciples reactions when Elijah and Moses show up. They want to build markers/shelters for each of them. In the Old Testament when something of power significance in history is done by God they create the remembrance markers. Well this was so significant that they wanted to build these for them. We are told later that they don’t do that because that isn’t what Jesus wanted.

There are so many times in the life of a church that we want to build a marker. There is no problem with having a name on something in the church that was donated to the church by someone. The problem comes when that marker becomes a holy cow.

When you can’t touch something to update it so that it may be more useful to the Lord and useful to God’s people. Then it becomes a waste it will last for a while and as the ministry begins to fade no one will remember it anyway.

I remember a church once had what I like to call the wall of death. They had a remembrance of those that had passed on. Which is fine, except when there was no one left who recognized any of the names on the wall anymore. No one knew who they were and the people there were radically different than the people who started the place.

So the church took pictures of each plaque for posterity and removed the wall of names. They put it in their church history book. Remembering that though things change they stand on the legacy of those that came before them.

It is important to remember that as we move forward we continue to recognize those that came before, but not to the detriment of the work of the Ministry.

Illustration -

In a small town, there was an old clock tower that had stopped working years ago but was never replaced. The townspeople held fond memories around it, but one day they decided to replace it with a new clock. They realized that while memories are important, holding onto things too tightly can stop us from moving forward. Like the clock, we can appreciate the past without idolizing it.

Life Point - Listen & Obey

Exegetical -

Matthew 17:5–8 BSB

While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown in terror. Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

Homiletical -

So while Peter was still talking about these markers a bright cloud enveloped them.

This is no ordinary cloud. It was bright not from the reflection of the sun but in and of itself bright.

This miracle reminds me of

Colossians 1:17 BSB

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Out of the cloud comes a terrifying voice. The voice of the Father who says “this is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

In other words Peter. Stop talking and start listening.

They say we have 2 ears and one mouth and that we should listen twice as much as we talk.

How much more should we listen to God’s voice, especially through scripture. If you want a church and a life that is blessed and in turn is a blessing then find out what God’s Word says and put it into practice!

There are too many people today who don’t listen to the voice of God. Especially when it comes to scripture. We are supposed to be people of The Book. So let’s start acting like it. Let’s immerse ourselves in the Word of God.

You know people will roam around looking for a Word from the Lord. Well, are you listening to the book first?

If you are then yes, there are times when God will lay it on you to do specific things. But be careful. Because God will never ask you to do something that is contrary to Scripture. Period.

When the disciples heard this voice they fell face down in terror.

The Greek word here means extreme fear. Extreme terror.

Today in Christendom we have forgotten that we serve a tremendous God. The God of the universe. Nothing before Him and nothing after Him. This should make us pause and give us respect and awe as well as perhaps some fear. Fear is good, it keeps us from doing stupid things.

I used to have an extreme fear of being on a 30 foot ladder so my trainer, when I worked in the cable industry, would make me climb a ladder connected to the strand on the poles with a belt and throw tennis balls at me. I was terrified, but I was safe. Once I realized that in my mind I eventually got used to it and it never bothered me again. I still retained a healthy respect and fear but not terror.

But what does Jesus do?

He comes over and gives them 2 commands (1) Get Up (2) Do not be afraid.

In their terror that is probably the last thing they wanted to do. But they trusted Jesus. They knew Jesus and they did what Jesus said to do.

In our situations and circumstance if we apply and live by God’s Word we will trust Jesus and know what Jesus says to do. Thereby trusting Jesus.

Even if our situation goes sideways and we lose everything, Jesus can still be trusted. Because He is Lord of all things. He is in control of all things. This is a hard thing to grasp and I am still learning it everyday.

Romans 9:20 BSB

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”

I am nothing, He is everything. I am lowly and this life is temporary, but He has bestowed upon me a life that is everlasting. Oh How we should trust Jesus in all things.’’

Now when they obeyed Jesus and looked up, they saw no one but Jesus.

Folks when we obey Jesus as revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures we can trust the unction of the Spirit of God because we will see nothing but Jesus.

God the father points to the cross and resurrection as does the Spirit. So if you go to a church or meeting that fills your head with only flesh tickling teaching then you need to evaluate what your being taught. Because the way of the Christian is the way of the cross; a torture device that ends in the death to our flesh.

2 Timothy 4:3–5 BSB

For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Notice it says endure hardship and fulfill your ministry. Folks you each have a ministry before God. You each will have hardships that you must endure; and in all things we each need to do the work of evangelism.

Galatians 5:24–26 BSB

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.

We must seek to crucify our flesh. My flesh wants all the good stuff. It wants to be appeased, but we are told to crucify that is to put to death those wants and desires. Sometimes that means daily. Sometimes that means moment by moment. This is what Christ has called us to do.

Life Point - Trust Jesus

Exegetical -

Matthew 17:9–13 BSB

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone about this vision until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

Homiletical -

Now they are coming down the mountain and Jesus gives them another command to be fulfilled. Which He couldn’t be any clearer about. He says don’t tell anyone about the vision until after Jesus is raised from the dead.

Now they are probably filtering that through their Jewish teaching that in the end of days all will be raised from the dead. So they ask a question about this raising from the dead that Jesus is talking about.

“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

Jesus replied Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things.

This one verse, which I can’t be dogmatic about, is part of the reason I believe Elijah is one of the 2 witnesses in the book of Revelation. Another reason is that he is one of 2 people in the Bible who never died but were taken before death. The other one is Enoch.

Hebrews 9:27 BSB

Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment,

But as far as the next verse says Jesus says that Elijah has already come, they didn’t recognize him and the killed him. In the same way Jesus suffers at their hands.

The disciples then figure out it is John The Baptist that He was referring to.

We have discussed previously that Jesus has eluded to John being the fore runner for Jesus. That he prepared they way for His coming. Jesus can be no plainer here than He was before.

Have you noticed that the closer and closer Jesus comes to the crucifixion He becomes clearer and clearer in His dealings with the disciples?

We know that from past experiences the disciples still don’t seem to get it until after Jesus is resurrected, then it all makes sense to them.

why?

Is it because they are filtering it through their religious upbringing? Definitely.

Is it because they are dense? That may be part of it. However it could be that their minds weren’t open to the scriptures and what Jesus’s words until after the day of pentecost when they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

This by the way is why unregenerate people mess the Bible up so bad. Because if you aren’t saved you don’t have the Holy Spirit guiding your understanding of the scripture.

1 John 2:27 BSB

And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.

The believer today has the Holy Spirit and can trust Him to lead and guide us into the truth of the scriptures.

Trust God to illuminate the scriptures which will direct your path as to what to do in your life no matter the circumstances.

Life Principle– Put nothing before God. Hear, trust, and follow Jesus.

Call to Action – altar call….