The Transfiguration

Matthew 17:1-13

Immanuel – 10/6/24

          Two weeks ago we came to the thematic center of the Gospel of Matthew. After Peter makes his confession – that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God – everything changes. This shift is profoundly demonstrated when, for the first time in Matthew, Jesus begins to teach that he will suffer and die at the hands of the religious leaders and then in three days raise from the grave.

          The disciples were shocked by this claim. How could the Messiah, the glory of Israel, suffer; let along be killed by the very people that were supposed to champion Him?

          Then, after rebuking Peter and the disciples for their deeply flawed perspective, Jesus teaches them that His disciples through all time must likewise go to the cross. Let’s read that passage again.

          Read Matthew 16:24-28

          Don’t miss that last part, Jesus was promising that within the lifetime of some of His disciples, they would see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. Today we come to a fulfillment of that promise. If it is not the full fulfillment, then it is most certainly a foretaste.

          Read vs 1

          “After six days” …Outside of Jesus’ final week, this is the only time Matthew tells us how many days passed between events. This means Matthew is linking events together, wanting us – the readers – to take them in a single contextual package. And as we dive into our passage, we will find numerous overlapping themes between the Transfiguration and Peter’s confession.

          Peter is again at the center of the story, as well as the brothers, James and John. I want you to notice that this entire account of the Transfiguration centers on the perspective of the disciples. Though things are happening to Jesus, we are hearing about the experiences of Peter, James, and John; it is what they see, hear, and feel.

          The perspective fits Jesus’ design. Clearly, He takes these three disciples up the mountain to isolate from everyone else, even the other nine disciples. He has chosen these three, wanting more intimate time with them, entrusting to them a revelation He knows is coming.

          But before we get to the supernatural revelation, let’s consider the mountain they ascended. Church tradition holds that Mount Tabor in southern Galilee was the site of the Transfiguration. But for a few reasons that will become apparent, I disagree. I think it is far more reasonable to locate the transfiguration atop Mount Hermon, a good distance north of Galilee.

          Verse 1 says they ascended a high mountain. Mount Tabor is a modest 1,900 feet tall. It’s a large hill. At 9,200 feet, Mount Hermon is by far the tallest mountain in all of Palestine.

          Consider the last known location of Jesus and the disciples: Caesarea Philippi. Six days after it says they are in the city, they are ascending a tall mountain. It’s unlikely that Jesus – a man who was never in a hurry – rushed the disciples some 50-60 miles to get solitude on Mount Tabor. Additionally, more recent archaeological discoveries suggest that there was a settlement on Mount Tabor in Jesus’ day – not a place to be alone.

          You might think my debating between mountains is all a bit much. But there is a good reason I am doing this. There is one more powerful reason to think that Jesus was transfigured on Mount Hermon, and it is incredibly significant.

          Remember, from two weeks ago, when Jesus led the disciples to Caesarea Philippi, He was leading them into the ancient territory called Bashan. In the Jewish consciousness, this realm was a primal demonic stronghold. Let me read again a quote by Dr. Michael Heiser.

For the disciples, Bashan was an evil, otherworldly domain. [They had] reasons to feel queasy about where they were standing. According to Jewish tradition, Mount Hermon was the location where the divine sons of God had descended from heaven—ultimately corrupting humankind via their offspring with human women (see Gen 6:1–4). These offspring were known as Nephilim, ancestors of the Anakim and the Rephaim (Num 13:30–33). In Jewish theology, the spirits of these giants were demons (1 Enoch 15:1–12).¹

Add to this that the Canaanites believed their supreme god, Baal, was enthroned upon Mount Hermon. The Jews understood Baal to just be another fallen son of God. Listen to this little tidbit from 1 Chronicles.

The members of the half-tribe of Manasseh lived in the land. They were very numerous from Bashan to Baal-hermon.                       1 Chronicles 5:23

Mount Hermon was once named Baal-hermon. The mountain was named after both a fallen son of God, and it was his stronghold. Additionally, the Jews believed that demons/fallen angels/fallen sons of God were thrown down from heaven and landed on Mount Hermon. Mount Hermon was the beachhead from which they launched a demonic rebellion against God.

Can you see why it makes so much sense that Jesus was transfigured atop Mount Hermon? The unfallen Son of God, fully God and fully man, uncorrupted and incorruptible, launched a redemptive mission from the summit of Mount Hermon. And glance at the next passage, Jesus descends from Mount Hermon and immediately exercises authority over the demonic. Then His path goes straight to Jerusalem and the demon-defeating, serpent-crushing cross that waited there.

          But before the soon coming trials, Jesus receives a gift from His Father.

          Read vs 2

          Other

          Matthew makes it seem like while Peter, James, and John are looking at Jesus, something otherworldly happens. Jesus’ face begins to shimmer, to radiate light. Luke simply says that Jesus’ face “became other.” Jesus’ clothes also become luminous.

How I wish this was better described! I want more details, but we are simply not given them. But what we have is enough; and suffice it to say that Jesus’ other nature, His divinity, began to burst forth from His human form. Fully God. Fully man.

          But the astounding sights didn’t end there.

          Read vs 3

          I doubt Jesus had everyone introduce themselves, but somehow the disciples just knew that standing in front of them were Moses and Elijah. Moses, the great lawgiver; Elijah, the greatest prophet of old. They undoubtedly appeared physically, but their appearance was also symbolic. God was communicating that the full revelation of the Law and the Prophets, all of Scripture, finds its fulfillment in Jesus of Nazareth.

          And these great Jewish figures have come to speak with Jesus. Matthew doesn’t tell us about what, but Luke says they spoke to Jesus about the mission He was to accomplish in Jerusalem. In other words, they spoke to Jesus about His death.

          But while they were encouraging Jesus, Peter blurts out foolishness.

          Read vs 4

          Peter isn’t totally insane to suggest that he build some tents for the three radiant figures. Ever since the days of Moses the Jews would hold a festival called Sukkot where they would build tents/booths/mini tabernacles, to remember the time when God visibly dwelt with His people. Peter has just seen the godness of Jesus, and in a cultural knee-jerk reaction he wants to build tabernacles worthy of these three magnificent figures.

          Luke adds that Peter didn’t know what he was saying. It was just an impulse, a speaking before thinking kind of moment. Peter is ignored, because in that very moment his words are overshadowed.

          Read vs 5

          When we read that a cloud overshadowed everyone on the summit, we might get the impression that this is a dark cloud, casting shadows. But the opposite is true; it’s a bright cloud. Clouds cannot emanate light, but this cloud has light spilling out of it, like Jesus’ shimmering face.

          Overshadowed did not mean that no one could see one another, as if they were in a dense fog. It means that they were surrounded by this glory cloud. And though it was physical, tangible, somehow made of matter; it was also a symbol that Peter, James, John, Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were suddenly in the immediate and extraordinary and glorious presence of Yahweh.

          Suddenly the otherworldly and engulfing presence speaks: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”

          Those fallen angels may have been created by God, but they in no way imaged their Father. But Jesus, He is the true Son, the one and only Beloved. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature (Hebrews 1:3). God is pleased with Him alone!

          Of course, these words must remind us of Jesus’ baptism. More than three years prior, just as John the Baptist was about to plunge Jesus beneath the water, the heavens opened and a voice cracked the air,

          “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”        -Matthew 3:17

          How precious these words must have been for Jesus to hear again. Don’t we all desire to have love reassured? To hear your father say I love you, I am proud of you; or your mother? To hear your spouse express their love again, and truly mean it? Perhaps you should find a moment to express your love again. Do it today, for the days pass so quickly.

How Jesus’ heart must have swollen as His Father said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

It was all the more meaningful because six days earlier Jesus first spoke of how He must suffer, be killed, and rise again. Jesus has now directed His path directly into that crucible of pain and shame more terrible than we can imagine. How heavy that burden must have weighed upon Him! And yet the words of His Father lift His spirit, galvanize His gentle and lowly heart, fortify His body to be broken.

Also, six days earlier, Peter had confessed that Jesus is the Son of the living God. Now the living God surrounds Peter, and the revelation is both confirmed and forever engraved upon the disciples’ hearts. In addition to the Father expressing pleasure in His Son, God also says to the disciples, “listen to Him.”

This is a direct and intentional reference to something Moses once prophesied: that God would one day send a Prophet greater than Moses. Moses prophesied,

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to Him you shall listen…And the Lord said to me… “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And whoever will not listen to my words that He shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.”                                                                         -Deuteronomy 18:15,17,18-19

          Jesus is the prophet who would come from among the people of Israel. Not only are the words of God in His mouth, He is the embodied and living Word of God. If anyone does not listen to Jesus, or obey Jesus, then the Almighty God of the universe will require it of Him. In other words, if you don’t listen to the ultimate prophet, you shall stand condemned.

          And Jesus is that ultimate prophet! He is God become man! Listen to Him!

          So said the voice from the midst of the glory cloud. Was the voice carried in mighty gusts of wind? Did it come in a rumble? Did they hear the voice with a clap of thunder? Was it a whispering breeze? However the voice was heard, it so terrified the full-grown men that they fell down paralyzed.

          Read vs 6-8

          Shining white light, a shimmering puffy cloud, it all sounds so serene; as if it were found behind the lens of a Halmark Channel movie camera. But this couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Peter, James, and John have seen just about everything now: raging demoniacs, people raised from the dead, furious storms silenced with a word, a legion of demons possess a suicidal herd of pigs. Strange things. Otherworldly things. And as astonishing as it has all been, not once have they fallen to the ground in terror.

          But the voice of Yahweh melts the strength of men. I am reminded of a Psalm.

          The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters his voice, the earth melts.

                                                                             -Psalm 46:6

          In the most literal sense of the word, the disciples experienced something awesome; so awesome that at the sound of the divine voice they melt. And when it must have felt like they were about to be consumed by the supernatural dissimilitude of another realm, the Savior was there. Jesus brings them back to the familiar, He strengthens them, with the warmth of His touch.

          With His touch he healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, cleansed lepers, raised a little girl to life, and He calms the fears of His trembling disciples. Christ was with them. “Rise, and have no fear.” They were not dead. It was time to get on with the business of living. Christ was with them.

          Indeed, when they finally picked their faces out of the dust, they saw no one but Jesus only. Jesus is alone now. He is alone to face His mission. He alone is the mediator between God and man. He alone is the salvation of His people. He alone is the King of kings. He alone is the fulfillment of Scripture. He alone is the true Son of God.  Christ alone!

          And from this awesome mountaintop experience, Jesus takes His disciples to descend into the valley of the shadow of death.

          Read vs 9-10

The Inaugurated Eschaton

          What I would give to hear the conversation between Jesus and the disciples! Clearly this is only a small sampling. The disciples must have been euphoric and full of questions, reckoning with the gravity of what they had just experienced; and Jesus was there to talk them through it all.

          Yet once again we see Jesus charge the disciples to tell no one. If the crowds found out about God’s glorification of the Messiah, misunderstanding would threaten Jesus’ whole mission. And you bet, after hearing the voice from the cloud, the disciples will listen to Jesus and tell no one!

Since we are on the other side of the resurrection, we understand why Jesus’ glorification was only for a moment. We understand that Jesus’ glory cannot be rightly understood without the empty tomb, and the cross that must first be bloodied. Our sinful hearts want glory now; an easy road to health, wealth, and prosperity. The abominable prosperity gospel seizes upon these satanic and selfish desires. But the cross of Jesus Christ teaches humility before honor, self-sacrifice before security, suffering before glory.

          And then the disciples ask about the prophetic return of Elijah. They just saw Elijah on the summit, and they knew he had eschatological significance. (Eschatology is the study of the Eschaton, or the study of the last things.)

For centuries, the scribes had been teaching the Jews that Elijah had eschatological significance. It had entered the collective consciousness of the Jews that before the Messiah would appear, Elijah had to come first – to restore all things. Not that Elijah himself would restore all things; but Elijah would initiate the process through which the Messiah would come, and all things would be restored.

          And this teaching wasn’t just a scribal creation. Let’s read the last words of the Old Testament.

          Read Malachi 4

           The Jews widely understood this last passage of the Old Testament foretold of the coming of the Messiah, the Son of Righteousness. The Messiah would defeat evildoers and bring joy and freedom for those who fear the Lord. The law of God would flourish in His coming messianic kingdom. And when these things broke upon the earth, it was called the great and awesome Day of the Lord. But before the Day of the Lord dawned, Elijah would reappear; to prepare the hearts of the people.

          The disciples now unequivocally understood that the Day of the Lord had come, that Jesus was the prophesied Son of Righteousness, the Messiah. They had just received the most definitive assurance conceivable that the Day of the Lord was upon them. So, what about Elijah? How did he factor into all of this?

          Read vs 11-13

          Jesus says nothing about John the Baptist. But the description Jesus gives makes it easy for the disciples to infer he speaks of John. Also, Jesus has already told them who Elijah was.

          “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

                                                                                      -Matthew 11:13-15

To be clear, John the Baptist was not Elijah reincarnated. John came in the spirit and power of Elijah. Before John was conceived, an angel appeared to his father, Zechariah. The angel said,

Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John… And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.

                                                                                      -Luke 1:13,16-17

          The Old Testament closed by prophesying that Elijah would come. The New Testament opens, and after briefly introducing Jesus, it speaks of John the Baptist. John came in the spirit and power of Elijah, preceding the messianic Day of the Lord.

          I belabor this point because there are people who think Elijah is still to come. They think he will make a reappearance before a great tribulation at the end of history. But Scripture testifies by Jesus’ own words that Elijah has already come, 2,000 years ago, preceding the great and awesome Day of the Lord – burning like an oven.

          The Eschaton had been inaugurated in Jesus, and the disciples knew it. Elijah had come. The Messiah was with them. Salvation and judgment were being rendered. Glory was on the horizon, but suffering first. The Son of God’s victory over the demonic, but through a cross. A world of brokenness made new, but first Jesus must be broken.

          The Transfiguration is a powerful and decisive revelation of Jesus’ identity, His mission to restore a fallen world, His victory over the demonic, His relationship with His Father, and His eschatological place in history. The Transfiguration is jam packed with meaning. And how must we respond? Listen to Him!

          So, if we are not a people in His word, how are we to listen to Him. From front to back – the Law, the Prophet, the Gospels – all testify to the awesome person that is Jesus the Christ, Son of the living God. Get in His word and listen to Him!

And finally, remembering that Jesus shows us humility before honor, self-sacrifice before security, suffering before glory; He has called us onto the same path, to deny ourselves, to take up His cross and follow Him. And though the Beloved Son of God has gone before you, He is not gone.

          He alone is our mediator between God and man. He alone is the King of kings. He alone is the salvation of His people. He alone faced the mission of the cross so that in our mission, we are not alone. He alone is the courage in our fear.

We will not die, so let’s get on with the business of living. Christ is with us. Hear the very last words of the Gospel of Matthew:

          “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”             -Matthew 28:20

¹Heiser, M. (2018, April 10) What Did Jesus Mean by “Gates of Hell”? Logos. https://www.logos.com/grow/jesus-mean-gates-hell/?msockid=13832abc28ea67ea1ad338d9299466c5