Beloved Son

Beloved Son Matthew 17:1-8

Today we see 6 Men on a mountain, describe the transfiguration, cloud of glory, tabernacles and Elijah the baptist. Its an ancient story, that is still being told right now, in our lives. We have a lot to cover, so we’ll read the text as we go.

We read earlier - Matthew 16:28  “ Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”” Then 6 days later (luke says about 8), 6 guys meet on a mountain.

Matthew 17:1–13

Mt 17:1  Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain (hermon? miron?) by themselves; 

This is the only place in Matthew that these guys are called by name to be with Him, in Mark/Luke we see where he takes them to house of Jairus to heal child (Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51) they both also record this mountain top experience as well as another where they go with him to pray.

We can gather from the interactions that Peter/James/John were often close to Jesus and close with one another. In Luke 9:28 we are told that he took them up to pray and they see Him in Glory.

As we said, there is another hill Jesus would go with them to pray, where In Matthew 26:36–37  “ Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (James, John), and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.”

Now as we look at v2, what would it be like, to listen to Jesus pray. To hear Him in intimate conversation with His Father, then…

Mt 17:2  and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 

The word transfigured is metamorphǒthē to be changed, transformed.

Mark 9:3  “ His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.” Luke says his clothes glistened.

like/as: A simile, because there is nothing in language to truly describe an vision. In Luke 9:29  “ As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.”

We see from v9 this is a vision. But the appearance as Peter, James and John see it is there, on the mountain, its as real as could be. They see Him change.

Here, His glory is magnified. But at the garden, in Luke 22:44  “ And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

Turn to Rev 19 What did Jesus look like? Something like in Revelation 19:11–16  “ Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” Terrifyingly glorious.

Here his garments glisten, reflecting light. Bright, shining (blinding) like the sun. On the cross, bloody, beaten beyond recognition, naked and shamed. For us.

EVEN THIS IS GLORY! John 1:14  “ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

We are being and will be forever transfigured as well 2 Corinthians 5:16–17  “ Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 1 Corinthians 15:51–53  “ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

Mt 17:3  And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 

Here, we see Jesus speaking with the Law and Prophet(s), they converse with Him, not the disciples.

In the garden on the mount, he prays alone, forsaken.

Did Jesus say their names? Is there a running description that was lost to us of how Moses & Elijah? Did Jesus speak to them before? Moses met the Lord on the mountain, Sent his chariot to launch from a hill to bring Eli home.

Moses mount sinai - Eli mount horeb, we’ll talk more about this next time.

Luke says they Luke 9:31  “ who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”

Mt 17:4  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.” 

Tabernacles, places of remembrance, worship. The feast was about a week long and they would make booths to remember how they lived under Gods care and provision in the wilderness.

Moses actually took part in that actual event, seeing provision to the people (like Jesus feeding the crowds)

Elijah saw the widow fed, her son raised from death, the Lords army surrounding them, hearing direction from God and relaying to the people.

Peter of course blurts, and the thing is, he is outright told shut up, though he kind of is right to think along these lines.

Two main things about Feast of Tabernacles Deuteronomy 16:13–17 (1) Giant golden lampstands were lit in the temple courtyard, and people carrying torches marched around the temple, then set these lights around the walls of the temple, indicating that Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles (Isa. 49:6). (2) A priest carried water from the pool of Siloam to the temple, symbolizing that when Messiah comes the whole earth will know God “as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:9). When Jesus attended the Feast of Tabernacles, on the last day of the feast, he said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:37–38). The next morning while the torches were still burning, he said, John 8:12  “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.””. Rose Publishing. Feasts of the Bible (Function). Kindle Edition.

its all about the timing. Its prophesied in the past, happening now, will be fulfilled in the future. Jesus had said in, Matthew 5:17  “ “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

also, this Fathers declaration of Jesus, is that He is so much more than Moses, Elijah, any and all. He is the Christ, the savior.

Mt 17:5  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!” 

Turn to Ex 19; Peter get his mouth shut (kinda) in the glory that surrounds the trio, and like the mountain a voice cried. Exodus 19:9–11  “ And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.” So Moses told the words of the people to the Lord. 10 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. 11 And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.” He did, gave them the commandments (directly mind you, then we see in)

here a bright cloud, at the cross, darkness would cover the land

Here the father commands all to hear, On the cross, the Father turns His face away as the Son became as sin for us.

Mt 17:6  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 

They were rightfully terrified. But we are knuckleheads and the glory fades quickly (v10). Like Daniel, they fell as though dead.

Exodus 20:18–21  “ Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. 19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” 20 And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” 21 So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.”

And still, we wander away like sheep, like the son, Prone to wander Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love! Moving from God so we don’t experience His conviction.

Mt 17:7  But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 

By His stripes, Isaiah and more tell us, we are healed (eternal life), John 12:47  “ And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.”

Mt 17:8  When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 

The key, is to focus all of our faith and hope only in Him.

Psalm 121:1  “ I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help?” Well? Psalm 121:2  “ My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”

Like the song, Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of Earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

In closing: Even in this glory, jesus is submitting to the call to come and die. Even in the midst of this glory, he points to the Cross, the Law and the prophets bearing witness to this truth, answering to Him would've convinced even the most ardent anti-jesus (though no doubt some of them had JDS) every Sadducee wouldve been bowing and scraping. But thats not how Jesus chose to do it. He instead presented exactly prophecied and calling for faith

Peter would later write in, 2 Peter 1:17–18  “ For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.”