Matthew part 29

The Transfiguration

Today, we will read about the Transfiguration of Jesus on a high mountain, but before we do, let’s recap a point from last week. Last week, we read the end of Matthew 16 in which Jesus tells the disciples that some of them will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. Now, the point we saw was twofold. First, Jesus was probably referring to the Transfiguration in chapter 17, because this interpretation lines up with the other gospels, John’s revelation, and the Pentecost in Acts. Second, Jesus says that it is possible to experience, or see, the kingdom of heaven while still living. The first point can quickly become theological minutiae fairly quickly if we aren’t careful, but the second point…well, that’s life changing.

For many Christians the idea of getting a taste of heaven is something for the by and by. We believe it will happen…one day. But, in fact, it can happen today. We must simply be willing to walk with Jesus and spend time daily with him.

So, let’s say you have an experience with Jesus that is life-changing. Whether you can point to a time in your life where you have had an experience with the kingdom of heaven or not, let’s say it happens in the future. How should we respond?

While today’s passage is certainly not a textbook about this kind of experience, it does inform what our response should be. Let’s take a look.

The Vision | Matthew 17:1-8

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 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.” 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.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

Matthew 17:1-8

First, notice Matthew mentions that six days have passed since Peter’s proclamation. Luke’s version has “about 8 days” and Mark uses the same “after six” as Matthew. The two renderings essentially mean “about a week,” and that’s what these phrases simply mean. This time frame isn’t too necessary except that it tells us a week has passed between when Jesus said, “some of you will see the kingdom of heaven,” and when Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up the mountain.

Now, this is a small point, but I think it is still a necessary one to make. Jesus could easily have shown them the Transfiguration in Matthew 16, as he was talking, but it wasn’t the time or place. Jesus had just made the point that if they were to follow him, they would have to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. “Denying ourselves” means that sometimes we have to wait for the vision. Lots of people say they want to see Jesus, but only a small number are willing to wait for Jesus.

If we are to see the kingdom of heaven, we must be willing to wait for it, because we cannot make Jesus do anything.

Even after they waited the week, notice not all of them go up the mountain. Why did the others have to stay behind? Were they not ready? Did Jesus want to minimize the number so word didn’t get out too fast? Jesus does tell them to not talk about the vision until after the resurrection. Many theologians, even early in the Church, have noted the three that went on the mountain became pillars of the Church in the first century. Peter became the great apostle to the Jewish congregations surrounding Israel and eventually made it to Rome with Paul. John would go on to care for Jesus’ mother after his death and resurrection, as well as be the longest living disciple. James remained in Jerusalem even after the tribulation that broke out. He is mentioned in Acts 12 as killed by Herod. Perhaps these three got to go up on the mountain because Jesus knew where they would be later in life. Or, perhaps the others were just not ready. Judas certainly was the traitor in their midsts, but perhaps the other disciples also did not meet the necessary criteria—whatever it might be. Regardless, this idea reminds me of Psalm 24.

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,
    the world and those who dwell therein,

for he has founded it upon the seas
    and established it upon the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
    And who shall stand in his holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not lift up his soul to what is false
    and does not swear deceitfully.

He will receive blessing from the Lord
    and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Psalm 24:1-6

If we desire to ascend the hill of the Lord and experience the kingdom of heaven, we must be willing clean our hands an dour hearts. We must be honest with ourselves and others—including being honest about our sin. Then, we can expect to receive a blessing from the Lord, when we seek Him.

We can also compare this scenario to the lessons we learned from the Beatitudes. The Kingdom of Heaven is available to any who would seek it, but they must seek it with a contrite heart and an understanding of their hopelessness without Christ.

If we are to see the kingdom of heaven, we must be willing to turn away from sin and pride that keeps us bound to the earth.

As the disciples watch Jesus interact with Moses and Elijah, Peter steps forward to offer shelter for the three. It is an honorable gesture, but again, Peter’s sense of timing is not great. It is not time to speak, but to listen. The Lord appears in a bright cloud to tell Peter, “Just listen now. It’s not time to talk.”

Many have noted the significance of Moses and Elijah appearing on the mountain. Moses represents the priests and the salvation from Egyptian slavery. Elijah represents the prophets and the Lord’s ongoing teaching. These two are archetypes for Jewish culture and religion. Now, they are speaking with Jesus who will fully complete the work these two could only takes steps toward.

Though the disciples are afraid, Jesus reassures them to have no fear, and the vision ends. Sometimes when we read this passage, we think of the Transfiguration as a great miracle. Spurgeon and other theologians have noted the real miracle is the fact that Jesus was able to hide his glory for so long. The Transfiguration was not Jesus becoming something different, but rather revealing who he really was. The word “transformed” is the same word we get “metamorphosis.” Jesus’ face and body did not become something different, so much as what was in them emerged outward. A common illustration is the caterpillar. When the caterpillar draws into the cocoon and emerges later as a butterfly, he hasn’t become something different entirely, he has simply brought forward what was already inside himself.

One last thought on this passage. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul talks about the resurrection of the dead, and he explains what body we will have. His illustration is similar to the caterpillar, but he talks about burying a seed which springs forth a plant and fruit. There are all kinds of seeds and all kinds of bodies, but each brings forth its own kind and its own glory. So, the heavenly body will have a heavenly glory. He ends his point with this:

Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:45-49

Whatever we become in heaven and into eternity, it will be in the image of the man of heaven. Here, in Matthew 17, Jesus gives us a glimpse of what that is. If we will look like him, then we too, will have faces that shine like the sun and a light that illuminates our whole being.

About Elijah | Matthew 17:9-13

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.” And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 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.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Matthew 17:9-13

Jesus tells them to hold off on telling others about the vision. This is not the first, nor the last time, he will tell someone to keep what has happened to themselves. The Lord reveals what he wills to those he wills, and sometimes it is kept from others. Usually, it is kept from some because they are not ready to receive it. The disciples will all eventually hear about the encounter, but it is not time yet.

The disciples then ask about Elijah. This question may seem off beat, but the disciples are still under the impression Jesus is going to establish a physical kingdom. They also know Elijah is supposed to appear before he does so. Jesus tells them Elijah has come, but they put him to death. They realize Jesus is referring to John the Baptist.

John the Baptist fulfilled the role of Elijah who came to prepare the way of the Lord.

The idea of Elijah coming before Jesus is reiterated in John’s Revelation. Now, the timing of events in Revelation depends on one’s interpretive timeline, but either way, Revelation 11 chronicles two witnesses that will appear on the earth and speak against the sinful world. These two have power to consume those who attack them, but one of the beasts will overtake them. They will remain dead in the streets for three days, and then a voice from heaven will call them back to life before they ascend to heaven.

John does not record their names, but he does say they come originally from heaven. I have heard it speculated the two witnesses are Enoch and Elijah because these two never actually faced physical death. Both were taken up to heaven without the Bible saying, “They died.” Though we can’t say for sure if this interpretation is correct, what we can say is this:

The Lord always sends warning before sending destruction.

As we consider the idea of “ascending the hill of the Lord” and “seeing the kingdom of heaven,” let us also remember time on this earth is ticking. We will all see the kingdom, though not all of us may enter it. Whether we lay our bodies in the ground or Jesus returns, there will come a day when we see our Lord. If we are to be ready, we must turn from our sin and follow the psalmist in asking for clean hands and a clean heart. Only then will we ascend the hill of the Lord and be with him for eternity.

If we fail to prepare, we will face the same judgement as the scribes and Pharisees who “do whatever they please.” Sure, we will think we are free in our choices, but we will ultimately only see destruction and miss seeing the kingdom of God.