The Transfiguration of Christ - Pt2 Easter 2022

02 Easter 2022

Last week we looked at Matthew 16 as Jesus began HIS journey to the cross. We looked at how HE called the religious rulers’ hypocrites, and how he began to prepare HIS disciples for HIS impending death. HIS words were something along the line of – I must go unto Jerusalem and suffer many things.

This morning, the journey continues…

The Transfiguration of Christ – As we should see Him

· Matthew 17:1-13 Turn to and READ

· Matthew 17:5 a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud,

o Not the first time God spoke from a bright cloud - Exodus 16:10 And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.

o Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

§ The word cloud appears 124 in the OT.

· Matthew 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

· Last week I mentioned Mt. Hermon as being the Rock upon which Jesus might have been referring to, and now 6 days later we find Him standing on Mt. Hermon.

· The transfiguration of Christ is a warning to the dark, fallen angel side of the world. Jesus is making the statement that HE has returned to take back that which is His.

· Matthew 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

· V.14-21 – skipping this.

· READ V.22-23– Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again.

o The 3rd or 4th reminder to the disciples of the things to come.

Continuing to Jerusalem, Chapters 18, 19, and the first part of 20 are more teachings and miracles.

· Matthew 20:17-19 Turn to and READ

· And yet a 5th warning of His impending death; (Matthew 16:21, 17:9, 17:12, 17:22, and now in 20:18.)

o He tried to prepare them. I fear it fell on deaf ears, much as the gospel does today. They knew what He was saying but they failed to realize the reality of was to soon be upon them. (EVEN as the End Times are upon and the reality will soon be in our face.)

o I’m not certain but I suspect that the events of Matthew 21 didn’t help Jesus in His cause of teaching the disciple of His impending death.

King for A Day – How the people saw Him

· Matthew 21:1-11 Turn to and READ (maybe to V.16)

o Hosana means ‘help I pray’ or ‘save I pray’ but used as a shout of praise of adoration.

o The prophecies

§ Zechariah 9:9

§ Daniel 9:24-27

o They hailed Him as King!

When we begans Matthew 16 – Jesus had asked His disciple – “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” AND “But whom say ye that I am?”

Here in Matthew 17, the people see Jesus as King…

· I wonder, how do you see Him?

o Son of David

o An earthly King

o Prophet of Nazareth

o Son of Man / Son of God

· On a more personal level, who is HE too you?

o Is He Lord and Saviour?

o Is He just the means by which you live a moral lifestyle?

In this narrative, the disciples will soon have to decide where they stand in regard to Jesus of Nazareth. Based upon how you see HIM and who you say He is – have you made a decision to follow Him? To be like Him in all walks of your life? To surrender you will to HIS?

Next week picks up at 21:23 – His authority