Matthew 17:1–8 (ESV) — 1 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.
NOTE: There is a lot
that could be said about this passage, but to me the most significant aspect is
the teaching moment. Jesus brings his three closest disciples with him. They
saw his transfiguration into blinding white light. They heard the Father call
him his son and command them to listen to him. They saw Moses, representing the
law, and Elijah, representing the prophets, and then when they lift their eyes
after the Father speaks, they see only Jesus. That is significant, because the
law and the prophets have been fulfilled in Jesus. They are subservient to the
son of man, the messiah, the son of God. Jesus may use the term son of man (the
majority of time) to emphasize his mission as a man to die on the cross, but
God the Father clearly calls him his son. The message is clear and obvious,
except to those who don't want to believe. Lord, forgive us, open our eyes to
behold truth.
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