Matthew 17:1-9 (Wrong Mountain)

Summary: We will see many things through our life experiences, but the only one who can save us is Jesus.

The View from the Mountaintop

Text:

Visuals: large photo of Mount Everest

Summary: We will see many things through our life experiences, but the only one who can save us is Jesus.

Have any of you ever climbed a large mountain? It would be a lot of work, but just think of what you could see from up there. What do you suppose you’d see if you were on top of Half Dome or El Capitan Receive responses, perhaps such as other mountains, trees, birds, and so on. It would be pretty spectacular, wouldn’t it? Almost as if you could see everything in the world.

Sermon Theme: In Jesus, we know we are on the right mountain.

Anybody know what this is? Receive responses. Yes, it’s a picture of a mountain, a very, very tall mountain. In fact, it’s a picture of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. Who thinks they’d like to go there? Would you like to climb the tallest mountain in the world? It would be a lot of work, but just think of what you could see from up there. What do you suppose you’d see if you were on top of Mount Everest? Receive responses, perhaps such as other mountains, trees, birds, and so on. It would be pretty spectacular, wouldn’t it? Almost as if you could see everything in the world.

Let’s talk about the things you’d see. Cool things, right? Beautiful things, eh? There are lots and lots and lots of different things you could see from that far up. But can any of the things you mentioned help you be a better person? Can they help you know God better? Can they save you from your sins? Truth is, even without going up on El Capitan, we’ll see many things in our lives, but there’s only one who can save us.

In today’s Gospel, you heard about another high mountain. One day, Jesus took Peter and James and John up a high mountain. It wasn’t nearly as high as El Capitan, but the disciples saw something very important there. Do you remember what they saw? Receive responses. Yes, they suddenly saw Jesus’ face shining like the sun. They also saw Moses and Elijah and a shining cloud. The most important thing they saw is mentioned in v 8. There it says that after all the excitement was over, “they saw no one but Jesus only.” What happened on this mountain, called the Mount of Transfiguration, is God’s way of telling us that Jesus really is God, and that he’s come into the world to save us.

If you had been on the Mount of Transfiguration, you would have seen Jesus. I think that makes this mountain even better than El Capitan. You don’t have to be on the Mount of Transfiguration to see Jesus, though. You see him by believing in him. To see Jesus, and him only, to believe in him as your Savior, means you’re saved from sin because he’s the one who died for you.

Let’s thank God for what we can see and learn on the Mount of Transfiguration, shall we? Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus into the world to save us. Thank you for letting us see him as our Savior. Please strengthen our faith and help us to believe in him always. In his name we pray. Amen.

Text:

Other Lessons: ; ;

Goal: That the hearer’s faith may be strengthened, against the uncertainties of life, that Jesus is the only Savior.

Rev. Terry R. Forke, STM, president, Montana District LCMS, Billings, Montana

Liturgical Setting

We may think of Transfiguration Sunday as one last mountaintop experience before we trudge back down into the valley of Lent. Here we see the glory of Jesus. There we see the shame of sin. “We were with him on the holy mountain” () before we had to face, again, the reality of our world. Yet in this text we are reminded that the mountain of glory is not the one on which we are saved. Jesus came into this world to be with us. That is most readily apparent on Mount Calvary. Jesus comes off the Mount of Transfiguration to walk with us through Lent to that other mountain.

Old Testament Reading, : The word “mountain” occurs seven times in this text, indicating that Mount Sinai loomed large in the minds of the people of God. Here God gave Moses the two tablets of the Law. To this day we use this mountain as a symbol of the Law.

Sermon Introduction:

Epistle, : The Epistle mentions both the visual, “we were eyewitnesses” (v 16), and the auditory, “we ourselves heard” (v 18). In this case, the Mount of Transfiguration is actually called “the holy mountain” (v 18).

Textual Notes

Gideon Lasco, an avid mountaineer, writes on his Web site, “Pinoy Mountaineer,” of a recent trip in the Philippines. His group was attempting to climb a specific mountain. Following the advice of some locals, they took what they thought was a shortcut, but after about an hour they realized they were on the wrong mountain. It sounds comical—“Oops, I climbed the wrong mountain!”—but it’s more common than we may think. Like Peter in today’s text, we may find ourselves on a mountain where Jesus does not want us to stay.

V 1: The fact that Jesus isolates three of his disciples is an indication that something important is about to happen. This is emphasized by the fact that they are “by themselves.” The phrase “And led them up a high mountain” also suggests a momentous occasion. Important things happen on mountaintops. Here is a handle to get at the Gospel in this text. Moses, Elijah, and Jesus all have mountaintop experiences. For Moses and Elijah, those experiences included significant resistance from false gods. The same is true for Jesus. Even the Mount of Transfiguration may provide opportunities for false gods.

V 3: Moses and Elijah appeared “to them.” This reminds us that the vision was pointed at the disciples. God had something he wanted them to see. We are not told how the disciples recognized Moses and Elijah, but the disciples could hardly have missed the significance of being with these fellow mountaintop experts.

Moses’ chief mountaintop experience has already become apparent in today’s Old Testament Reading. Elijah’s mountain was Mount Carmel (). The embarrassing spectacle on Mount Carmel of the prophets of Baal exhorting their god to wake up was quickly followed by a demonstration of the power of the true God. Elijah experiences God’s power to save. Later, in 18:42–45, God demonstrates his power to save while Elijah is still on Mount Carmel and sees the end of the drought being sent by God.

Vv 4–5: Peter desires to stay on the mountain. His plan reminds us that sometimes we desire to stay on the wrong mountain also. In fact, we climb all sorts of “wrong mountains” in our lives.

The unholiness of Peter’s plan is demonstrated by the holy interruption of the voice of God. Here the visual and the auditory become an interesting metaphor for faith. The brightness of the face of Jesus and of the cloud are completed by the words “listen to him” (v 5).

Vv 6–7: The power of the resurrection overwhelms the uncertainties of life. Peter and the other apostles don’t know what to do or say. They are paralyzed by fear. In the end only Jesus has the power to raise them (v 7). This verse moves us to the Gospel by reminding us that the mountain where the plan of God for our salvation was complete was Mount Calvary. None of the other mountains where powerful events occurred, either in Scripture or in our own lives, has what Mount Calvary has: Jesus’ death and resurrection for our salvation.

Significantly, the disciples’ fear at hearing God’s voice was not calmed until they again saw Jesus as they had always known him: in the simple appearance of his humiliation. It is not Jesus’ glorious countenance that gives us comfort, but rather the fact that one so glorious humbled himself—even to death on the cross. Jesus’ glory would destroy us if he had not come first in humility to remove our sin. The transfiguration would be meaningless if not for the cross to follow.

V 8: “They saw no one but Jesus only.” Moses and Elijah, true mountaintop Old Testament prophets, fade into the background of the glory of Jesus. They are signs. They point to Jesus. When everything else is said and done, Jesus is everything that God has to say to us.

Sermon Outline

Introduction: Gideon Lasco, an avid mountaineer, writes on his Web site, “Pinoy Mountaineer,” of a recent trip in the Philippines. His group was attempting to climb Mount Malipunyo. Following the advice of some locals, they took what they thought was a shortcut, but after about an hour they realized they were on the wrong mountain. It sounds comical—“Oops, I climbed the wrong mountain!”—but it’s more common than we may think. Like Peter in today’s text, we may find ourselves on a mountain where Jesus does not want us to stay.

Our text is the transfiguration of our Lord:

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. (17:1-3 NKJV)

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

An interesting connecting point between Moses, Elijah, and Jesus is that they all had powerful experiences with God on a mountain. Let’s take a quick look at those mountains to see what we can learn.

Law through Moses on Mount Sinai (, ).

Moses is with Jesus at the transfiguration because he was given the Law.

(1) Moses is with Jesus at the transfiguration because he was given the Law.

(2) The Law shows that we are sinners and need a Savior.

The Law shows that we are sinners and need a Savior.

God’s power through Elijah on Mount Carmel in his encounter with the prophets of Baal (, ).

b. God revealed his power through Elijah on Mount Carmel (, ).

Elijah is with Jesus at the transfiguration because he is a powerful prophet.

(1) Elijah is with Jesus at the transfiguration because he is a powerful prophet.

(2) Through Elijah, God demonstrated his power not only to judge but to save ().

Through Elijah, God demonstrated his power not only to judge but to save, for it is Yahweh that brings the rain and give fertility, not Baal ().

God revealed the glory of his Son on the Mount of Transfiguration (vv 1–2).

c. God revealed the glory of his Son on the Mount of Transfiguration (vv 1–2).

(1) Jesus appears at the transfiguration in his glory as God.

Jesus appears at the transfiguration in his glory as God.

God has really come to live with us.

(2) God has really come to live with us.

The Law is not the mountain of salvation.

(1) Peter wanted to go no further than the old covenant given to Moses (v 4).

Peter wanted to go no further than the old covenant given to Moses ().

Matthew 17:4 NASB95

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

But the Law is the wrong mountain—because the Law reveals our sin, showing us how we break it every day.

(2) But the Law is the wrong mountain—because by words we wouldn’t want shouted from the mountaintops, thoughts we’d be ashamed to have exposed to the light, actions that can only be called low, we break God’s Law every day.

(3) We cannot save ourselves by trying to follow the words of Moses.

The words of Moses cannot save us...

Power is a dead—end trail.

b. Power is a dead-end trail.

(1) For Peter, this was heady stuff—hobnobbing with the big shots, a power lunch he wanted to go on and on.

For Peter, this was heady stuff—hobnobbing with the big shots, a power lunch he wanted to go on and on.

(2) But power is the wrong mountain—though we often pursue it in office politics, in influence over our friends, in trying to dominate members of our own families, and in other ways.

But power is the wrong mountain—though we often pursue it in on the job, in influence over our friends, in trying to dominate members of our own families, and in other ways.

Power over sin, death, and the devil does not belong to us.

(3) Power over sin, death, and the devil does not belong to us.

c. Glory is a cliff—a certain death.

Glory is a cliff—a certain death.

(1) Peter wanted to stay and bask in the glory of the transfiguration.

Peter wanted to stay and bask in the glory of the transfiguration.

(2) But glory is the wrong mountain—though we work hard to gain it for ourselves with titles and degrees and kudos.

But glory is the wrong mountain—though we work hard to gain it for ourselves with titles and degrees and kudos.

(3) Our dependence on earthly glory is one step away from death.

Our dependence on earthly glory is one step away from death.

On Mount Calvary, God revealed how far he would go to forgive our sin.

Like Peter, we may be tempted to put up a tent on the wrong mountain.

(1) Like Peter, we may be tempted to put up a tent on the wrong mountain.

(2) But salvation was earned only on the other mountain, Mount Calvary.

But salvation was earned only on the other mountain, Mount Calvary.

b. Jesus is shown to be the only one who can deal with sin.

Jesus is shown to be the only one who can deal with sin.

Only Jesus fulfills the Law, has all power, and lives the glory of God.

(1) Only Jesus fulfills the Law, has all power, and lives the glory of God.

Only Jesus can save us from the sin of living on the wrong mountain.

(2) Only Jesus can save us from the sin of living on the wrong mountain.

Jesus worked our salvation for the glory of God.

c. Jesus worked our salvation for the glory of God.

(1) Jesus’ holy life, death on Calvary, and resurrection is God’s plan of salvation.

Jesus’ holy life, death on Calvary, and resurrection is God’s plan of salvation.

(2) Through faith in him, you are forgiven and have life.

Through faith in him, you are forgiven and have life.

Jesus is everything God has to say.

The voice tells us to listen to Jesus ().

(1) The voice tells us to listen to Jesus (v 5).

Matthew 17:5 NASB95

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”

Faith in Christ—being a disciple—is nothing less than complete communion with Him and His will.

(2) We do not add to or subtract from salvation through faith in Jesus.

The glory of worshiping on the wrong mountain is about forming God into what we think he ought to be.

But faith is about total committal; surrendering our will to His. The voice from heaven is a call for obedience.

b. We believe that all of Scripture points to him.

All of Scripture points to Christ Jesus.

(1) Every word of Scripture, even other mountaintop events, points to Jesus.

Every word of Scripture, even other mountaintop events, points to Jesus.

(2) We know all scriptural revelations are fulfilled in Jesus.

We know all scriptural revelations are fulfilled in Jesus ().

Acts 3:22–24 EHV

22 “Moses said to the fathers: The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet from your brothers who is like me. Listen to everything he tells you. 23 And this is what will happen: Every person who does not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from the people. 24 “Also, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have talked about these days.

Acts 3:22–24 NKJV

22 For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 24 Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days.

c. He takes away the fear of being on the wrong mountain.

And He removes the fear of uncertainty.

(1) The uncertainties of life may steal the joy God intended for us.

Life throws us curve balls, placing us into the unknown.

Maybe we lost our job.

Perhaps a loved one had their Doctor say, “You have cancer.”

All things we don’t expect and wonder how we will endure.

But Jesus touches the disciples and tells them to stand and not to be afraid.

In a moment the glory of that mountain is gone. Moses and Elijah are gone. The cloud is gone. The brightness shining from the face of Jesus is gone, and this is for their comfort.

It is Jesus in his humility that comforts them.

It is in the fact that He said, “I am with you always...” and, “I will never leave you.”

(2) Even God himself would terrify us if we were still in our sin (v 6).

From this moment forward, Jesus sets his face to go to Jerusalem, where his true glory then will be revealed in his death and resurrection.

The glory of the transfiguration shows us who Jesus is, that he is God in our flesh. We see his power.

1. The glory of the transfiguration shows us who Jesus is, that he is God in our flesh. We see his power.

But the terrible humiliation of the cross is Jesus’ true glory, because there he is our Savior. When he is lifted up on the cross, we see his great love.

2. But the terrible humiliation of the cross is Jesus’ true glory, because there he is our Savior. When he is lifted up on the cross, we see his great love.

Now we can look forward to sharing in Christ’s glory, for his great love in the cross has purified us from sin that so terrorizes us before God.

C. Now we can look forward to sharing in Christ’s glory, for his great love in the cross has purified us from sin that so terrorizes us before God.

Jesus takes away all fear because He has reconciled us with God; here—that is, with Jesus—is where we know we want to be.

Through the Gospel message of sins forgiven, the Holy Spirit instills in the heart of the believer the hope of everlasting glory with Jesus in heaven.

(3) But Jesus in his humiliation, as he appeared again now to the disciples and as he would soon appear on Mount Calvary, takes away all fear because it reconciles us with God (vv 7–8). Here—that is, with Jesus—is where we know we want to be.

But Jesus in his humiliation, as he appeared again now to the disciples and as he would soon appear on Mount Calvary, takes away all fear because it reconciles us with God (vv 7–8). Here—that is, with Jesus—is where we know we want to be.

We might think of the transfiguration as the “high point” of Jesus’ ministry, but it is only a vantage point from which Jesus can see clearly where he is going. From the height of the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus sees Jerusalem. From the glory of the transfiguration, Jesus sees the humiliation of his death on the cross. From the splendor of the transfiguration, Jesus sees the sorrow to come, and in the midst of that sorrow he sees you, your forgiveness, and your salvation. Amen.

Gideon Lasco, of “wrong mountain” fame, decided to climb “mount unknown” anyway. He noted that very few people climb it because there is really no view from its summit. The people of the world may stubbornly insist on climbing the wrong mountain and find nothing to see. But you, people of God, have been brought by Jesus to Mount Calvary, to see his glory in the salvation he won for you.