“Trusting God in the valley because we have seen His glory on the mountain”, Matthew 17

Last week we covered a lot of ground. At the end of Matthew 16 Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

This transition in Matthew’s gospel sets the stage for our passage today.

Jesus’ statement about seeing the Son of Man coming in His kingdom is demonstrated in a moment that is referred to as the Transfiguration. The event that Matthew records is a demonstration of Jesus’ glory! This moment in today’s sermon passage is central to the message of Matthew’s Gospel and also to our faith as Christians. All of the talk of the kingdom and the demonstrations of Jesus’ power and might were confirmed in the confession of Peter. But, here in Matthew 17 we find the confession of Peter affirmed by the Heavenly Father and the testimony of a set of remarkable witnesses.

One of the things Matthew provides is the authenticity and authority of the testimony in his gospel. Throughout the gospel he confirms the presence of witnesses in the ministry and message of Jesus Christ. In the law of God we are told to receive testimony and/or accusations with at least two to three witnesses. One witness, or accuser, is not enough to take action on in the law of God. Because of the law and its requirements Matthew provides us with a consistent reminder that the miracles, ministry, and teaching of Christ meet the demands of the law to be both authentic and authoritative. The theme of witnesses carries from the beginning to the end of his gospel.

The events of today’s passage are another example of the authenticity and authority of the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 17:1–13 (ESV)

“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 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.” 5 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.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.”

The reason we connect the last verse of 16 with the events of 17 is because of the precision Matthew gives us in the first verse. Matthew connects the events with his wording by telling us the moment on the mountain is 6 days after the statement of seeing Him coming into His kingdom.

The word “transfigured" means to be changed or transformed.

The word means that Jesus changed in appearance and expression right in front of the disciples. There was an immediate and noticeable change in Jesus.

Matthew describes it as his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as light. It’s as if for a few moments Jesus reveals His heavenly glory to the disciples here on earth.

Not only is Jesus transformed to reveal His glory, Moses and Elijah appear from heaven and are seen talking with Him.

Luke records this moment in his gospel. Luke 9:28–31 (ESV) says, “28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”

The conversation that Jesus has with Moses and Elijah is about the upcoming crucifixion. In Matthew 16 Jesus began telling His disciples all that was going to happen when He went to Jerusalem. Matthew 16:21 tells us that Jesus told His disciples that he would suffer many things, be killed, and on the third day be raised from the dead.

With the truth that Luke gives us in his gospel we know that Jesus not only discussed what was coming in Jerusalem with the disciples, he also talks about the crucifixion and resurrection with Moses and Elijah.

Earlier in Matthew 5:17–18 (ESV) Jesus said, “17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

Here right in front of Jesus are the representatives of the Law and the Prophets. Moses represents the Law and Elijah represents the prophets. The transfiguration of Jesus was not just for the disciples, it was also to clarify what the Law and the Prophets were looking forward too. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises God made to His people. Jesus fulfills the law of God by the way that He lives and teaches. Jesus fulfills the prophets by accomplishing everything God said He would do. The promised land Moses yearned for is standing right in front of him. The faithful kingdom and people of God that Elijah strived to see happen in his lifetime is standing right before him in Jesus.

The change that occurs in the appearance of Christ reveals the supernatural and divine truth of Jesus. Jesus is the Son of God and promised Messiah.

Jesus is the Sovereign and Supreme King who rules over all things and all people including Moses and Elijah.

And yet, in that transformed appearance Jesus talks about what waits for Him in Jerusalem, the impending crucifixion and resurrection that He will endure to fulfill the law and the prophets. The law required a sacrifice and the prophets told of redemption. Jesus is both the redeemer and the pure and holy sacrifice. It is all going to happen at one time on the cross and through the resurrection.

The transfiguration of Jesus makes the law make sense, the prophets make sense, and the upcoming crucifixion and resurrection make sense. The transfiguration of Jesus makes the faith of Moses, Elijah, the disciples, and modern day Christians make sense. Everything that God has done, said, and is about to do, makes sense when we see Jesus for who He really is!

6 Truths Revealed in the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ

1. The transfiguration reveals the glory of Jesus

Further affirms Peter’s confession

Peter wrote about it…

2 Peter 1:16–19 (ESV)

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,

John wrote about it…

John 1:14 (ESV)

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The transformation of Jesus on the mountain is a preview of the countenance of Jesus in eternity. John saw Jesus again in his transformed nature when he received what is now known as the book of Revelation.

He writes in Revelation 1:12–17 (ESV)

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,

For a brief moment the glory of Jesus Christ was revealed to the disciples and to Moses and Elijah. Jesus told them in Matthew 17:9 to hold on to this moment in silence until after His resurrection. Everything they had just seen would be completely clear on the other side of the resurrection.

2. The transfiguration reveals the supremacy of Christ

Jesus is sovereign over the law and the prophets.

If there was any doubt who Jesus is and what His place is in the universe, it is removed on the mountain.

Moses and Elijah are servants of Christ, not the other way around. The law serves Christ and the prophets and their promises serve Christ.

Matthew’s audience is primarily a Jewish audience, and the transfiguration provides a clear display of the supremacy of Christ over all others.

3. The transfiguration reveals the fulfillment of all things in Christ

Everything God promised to Israel through Moses is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Everything God promised through the prophets is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

There is no other promised land than the one that comes in Jesus Christ.

There is no other redeemer or Savior other than the one that comes in Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV) says, “20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.”

To deny or reject Jesus is to deny the only hope that has ever existed in the world. This means there is no other way or promise for the Jews other than Christ. It means there is no other hope or redeemer coming to rescue sinners than Jesus.

John 14:6–7 (ESV) says, 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

After the transfiguration the phrase “you do know him and have seen him” makes even more sense. Jesus has revealed His glory through the transfiguration, and with the presence of Moses and Elijah He has also revealed that all things are fulfilled in Him.

4. The transfiguration reveals the scandal of the crucifixion

The scandal of the cross is that holy and righteous God died unjustly in the place of unholy and unrighteous sinners.

The transfiguration of Jesus reveals the truth of who He is. There is no justification for the death of Christ other than as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Over the last few years I have noticed a growing number of pastors and theologians arguing that what we call the “Substitutionary Atonement” of Jesus is a Western idea rather than a biblical idea. Many opponents to the view, that I believe is Biblical, argue that the substitutionary atonement is based on the Western ideals of “personal responsibility, punishment, and justice.” (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/review/recovering-the-scandal-of-the-cross/)

However, the transfiguration reveals that the second member of the Trinity came to die in the place of sinners on the cross and conquer death through the resurrection.

Isaiah 53 prophesies of a suffering servant that comes to bear the transgressions of sinners in His body to bring peace with God and healing to their souls.

Isaiah 53:3–5 (ESV) says, “3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

The cross is undeserved, and the transfiguration reveals just how true that statement is. And yet, Jesus did go to the cross and He was resurrected like He promised!

5. The transfiguration reveals there is hope for the weary

I was at a pastors conference in Louisville, KY in 2012 where I heard Dr, Ligon Duncan preach a sermon entitled, “The Underestimated God.” (https://t4g.org/resources/ligon-duncan/the-underestimated-god-gods-ruthless-compassionate-grace-in-the-pursuit-of-his-own-glory-and-his-ministers-joy/)

This sermon had a profound impact on my life and ministry. I was the brand new pastor at New Union Baptist Church in Dayton, TN at the time. I had the privilege of following one of the most faithful and humble men I have known in ministry. Dr. Danny Ruehling had pastored the church for 34 years and then transitioned to the Sr. Adult Pastor role when I came. Danny was already having a profound impact on my life and views of ministry, and the sermon Ligon preached served to solidify some convictions and give me a hope that transcends my circumstances.

In his sermon Ligon points out that neither Elijah or Moses saw the fulfillment of their ministries. Elijah didn’t even die. God sent a chariot of fire to bring him home to heaven after a life of calling Israel to repent and follow God only for her to continue in her rebellion. Moses died on top of a mountain looking over the Jordan River into the promised land. Because of the sins of his generation Moses and most of Israel did not cross the Jordan into the promised land.

But, in the same way that neither of these men saw the fulfillment of God’s promises, they both stayed faithful to God until the end.

Ligon Duncan points out that on the mountain when Jesus is transfigured before the disciples and Moses and Elijah it’s as if God clarifies to these two heroes of the faith that their faithfulness was worth it.

To the man, woman, teenager, single adult, or child that is facing a situation that you aren’t sure you can handle. Learn from Elijah and Moses that being faithful to God in your situation is worth it. Everything Moses did pointed to Jesus. Everything God promised was fulfilled in Jesus. Everything Isaiah did pointed to Jesus and everything God promised was fulfilled in Jesus.

The transfiguration of Christ provided the answer to any question that Moses or Elijah may have ever had.

You may never see things turn out the way you want them too. You may labor until the end of your life without seeing all of your prayers answered or your hopes accomplished. But, in Christ you can trust that God is keeping His promises. When you are weary stay faithful to God because through Christ He has revealed that the reward He has promised is sure.

Hebrews 12:12 (ESV) says, “12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,”

The transfiguration reveals to us that there is hope for the weary in the promise and reward of Christ.

6. The transfiguration reveals that faith is dependence in the power of God, not a source of power.

On the mountain Christ is transfigured and the disciples have a clear picture of who Jesus is. The Father has exclaimed from heaven that this is His Son and in Him He is pleased! The transformation of Jesus before their eyes gives a glimpse into the supernatural nature of Jesus Christ. The source of His miracles and His power over demons is because of who He is.

In Matthew 17:14-21 there is an encounter that demonstrates that faith is the act of depending on the power of God rather than a source of power for the believer.

The disciples could not cast the demon out because they did not have enough faith to cast out the demon because their faith was corrupt.

When Jesus says that faith the size of a mustard seed is enough He is pointing out the purity of faith is more important that the quantity of faith.

I often hear people say I just don’t know if they have enough faith. But, it’s not about having a larger quantity of faith that changes things. Faith is about depending on the power and grace of God to save you. A mustard seed is minuscule, that’s why Jesus uses it as the illustration. Jesus refers to them as a faithless and twisted generation because they are caught up in the battle of their flesh versus the grace and power of God.

The Jewish leaders have taught them to depend on their actions and their faithfulness rather than the actions of God and His faithfulness.

Salvation is the result of faith through grace. That means that it is through a total and complete surrender and dependence on God that you are saved. One of our members sent me this quote from William Temple earlier this week. He said, “All I have to contribute to my salvation is the sin from which I need to be saved.” - William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury

What that quote means is that our salvation is dependent on the power and grace of God. We deserve death and hell because of our sin. Yet, because of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ we are forgiven for our sins and given eternal life through our faith in Jesus Christ.

The transfiguration reveals the glory of Jesus Christ. His transformed countenance exudes the power and might that He truly holds. The power to save the world from its sin through faith in Him and the grace of the Father.

2 Actions for Application:

1. Depend on the power of God and the purity of your faith rather than the quantity of your faith.

Ephesians 2:1–10 (ESV) says,

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Those who are walking in their sins and trespasses require a power that is greater than anything they can muster.

God doesn’t call us to have the greatest faith or the strongest faith. God calls us to have a pure and sincere faith. He calls us to depend on Him for our salvation. That it is what it means to have faith.

Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:12 (ESV), “But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”

Faith is trusting that salvation has been earned by Christ, given by grace, and received by faith. Faith is believing that what God has given to you by grace through faith will be kept by him until the end. Not only do we depend on the power of God to save us, we also depend on the power of God to keep us… and that is a power we can trust and rely in. Our salvation was not earned by us, nor will it be kept by us. Praise God for His saving and keeping grace to us in Jesus Christ!

When you are struggling, depend on God and trust Him

When you are weary, depend on God and trust Him

When you are weak and heavy laden, depend on God and trust in Him.

When things are hard and you are down, you don’t need more faith, you simply need more Jesus. As Hebrews 12:2 (ESV) says, look “to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

2. Trust God in the valley by remembering His glory on the mountain

How often have we wanted to get back to the mountain top moments in our relationship with God? I know I have spent many moments in my life wishing I was back on the mountain. But, Jesus never stayed on the mountain. But, the encounters He had with the Father, and the experience He gives the disciples here on this mountain serve to sustain them in the valley.

I believe we need to see it this way. Now, I am not saying don’t pray for the mountain or strive for the mountain. I am simply saying that the mountain top moments God gives us provide the help and hope we need in the valley.

God has purposed every mountain top and every valley in our life. Praise God for the mountain top moments! And do the praising in the valley as much or more as you did on the mountain.

You can trust God in the valley because He has demonstrated His glory on the mountain.