A Sight to Behold
Matthew 17
Peter, James, and John were important apostles to Jesus, and they were singled
out as accompanying Him in several points. They were with Him at the garden of
Gethsemane (Matt.26), the raising of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:21-42), and, in
Matthew 17, at the transfiguration. It is easy for us to simply take this story
as a unique occurrence, gloss over it, and move on with Matthew. It is
important, however, to understand the impact that this has, not only on the
Apostles, but on us as believers today.
The word that is used in the text, metamorphoo, literally means to change or
transform. What happened to Jesus was not simply an illumination of his physical
body, but a literal transformation of Him. Mark states that his "garments became
radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on the earth can whiten them."
This same phrase is used to describe the angel who appeared at the tomb when
Jesus was resurrected (Matt. 28:3-4), and we all remember what happened to the
guards: "They shook for fear of him and became like dead men." This must have
truly been an awe-inspiring sight to behold.
What the significance of Moses and Elijah being the ones talking to Jesus has
been speculated for years. Some suppose that Moses represents the Law, and
Elijah represents the prophets, which are the two parts of the Jewish Bible.
Matthew Henry believed that Moses and Elijah, as saints gone on to Heaven,
represented Christ's Kingdom in Heaven, while Peter, James, and John were
Christ's Kingdom on earth, creating a lively resemblance of the Kingdom made up
of saints past, present, and future. Whatever the reason for these specific two
may be, the important thing to consider in this passage is the supremacy of
Christ over both of them. Peter responds to this vision in verse 4, with a
request to make tabernacles for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. God gives His answer
to this, however, as He interrupts Peter saying, "This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" It is not wrong to study the law and
prophets, in fact is encouraged and commanded in the New Testament. The emphasis
should remain, however, on what Christ has said. Hear Him!
This display also had a profound impact on Peter, and on his faith in Jesus. In
2 Peter 1:16-19, he talks about how his faith was not based on "cleverly devised
tales," but rather that he was an "eyewitness" and "with Him on the mountain."
Being a witness to Christ's glory that day on the mountain, Peter's faith was
confirmed and knew, from that day forward, that the word he received was not
from man, but from God.
We may not be lucky enough to witness Jesus transfigured in this present life,
but the faith that we are to have in Him should remain the same. Listen to
Jesus, never let your faith waver, and keep the faith.
By Brady Cook
From Expository Files 15.7; July 2008
