Matthew 17 – The Glory of Jesus
Introduction
A. Matthew 17:1-13 Tells us about the Transfiguration of Jesus on "a high mountain."
B. Three apostles were witnesses and two of them wrote of what they had seen.
1. The Apostle Peter (with John and James) wrote of the experience of the three: 2 Peter 1:16-18 “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.”
2. The Apostle John repeatedly writes of the glory they saw. John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 17:4-5, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
C. We will examine the context and the deeper meaning of what the Almighty did "on the holy mountain,” when Jesus was transfigured and “his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
I. The Preliminary Events
A. Peter confessed Jesus as the “Christ, the son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13-19
B. Christ at that moment of faith, the triumph of the work of Jesus, gave them the prophecy of his death and the resurrection that would follow on the third day. Matthew 16:21.
C. Matthew 16:22-27: Peter began to rebuke Christ for suggesting the prophecy, and Jesus in turn corrected him strongly and demanded that His disciples accept their own sacrifice, taking their own cross and following Him.
D. Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him apart from the rest of the disciples to be special witnesses to that moment of glory.
1. The same three were the only witnesses of the resurrection of Jairus' daughter. Luke 8:51
2. They were also the only ones with Jesus in Gethsemane. Matthew 26:37
E. The transfiguration was a preparation for his death and his exaltation afterwards.
1. Philippians 2:5-11 Paul later wrote of this exaltation that followed the death of Jesus.
2. Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus of his departure. Luke 9:31, “who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”
II. The Significance of Transfiguration
A. "Transfigured" Matthew 17:2 (Luke 9:29 – “the appearance of his face was altered”)
1. Greek – “Metamorphoomai” – Physically changed into another form ("meta" change, and "Morfe" shape)
2. Luke did not use that word because he wrote for the Greeks, he himself was Greek. Perhaps he wished to avoid the confusion of the mythological "Metamorphosis" of the Pagan gods, and he used "Egeneto Heteron"–"becoming different")
3. The word found in Matthew 17:2 is also found in Romans 12:2 and in 2 Corinthians 3:18 of the spiritual change in Christians, when they renew the mind and are transformed into the image of Christ.
B. Acts 9:1-9 When Paul saw Jesus near Damascus, again we see Jesus in his glory through the eyes of Paul.
C. 1 John 3:1-3 “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”
1. When Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus, they also shone with him "surrounded by glory." Luke 9:31
a. The presence of Moses, perhaps because he gave Israel the law of God on Mount Sinai.
b. Elijah's presence, perhaps because it was one of the prophets, symbol of those of the most who proclaimed the coming of the Messiah, Christ Jesus.
c. The voice of God declared that Jesus was greater than all, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The unbelievers claimed to follow Moses. They demanded that the Jews follow their leaders instead of Christ.
--God declared with a miraculous voice from heaven that they must hear Jesus.
-- Hebrews 3:1-6 Explains why Christ is greater than Moses.
2. He promises us glory. 1 Peter 1:8; 5:1, 10; 2 Peter 1:3 (see also: Heb 2:10; 2 Tim 2:10; 1 Thess 2:12; Col 1:27; Eph 3:13; 2 Cor 3:18; 1 Cor 15:43; 2:7)
D. The glory of Jesus in Revelation
1.1:12-20 The metaphorical appearance of Jesus as Savior and Lord.
2.19:11-16 The Word of God, Faithful and True, riding on a white horse judges and makes war.
3.21:2-8 Wedding of the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
4.22:6-17 The Alpha and the Omega, “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Conclusion
A. It is difficult to imagine the experience of witnessing the glory and power of God shown in front of the eyes of the three witnesses.
B. This is the way that God adorns his purposes and gives us more hope and encouragement.