Transfiguration and Jesus’ Prediction #2
Matt 17:1-13
17 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John 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 dazzling white. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ 8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’ 10 And the disciples asked him, ‘Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ 11 He replied, ‘Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things; 12 but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.’ 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.
“Six days later” does two things – this event which seems otherworldly is grounded in time and place by those words “six days later.” Second, in ancient Israel six days was the period of time required to prepare for a holy event – for example: six days of creation before the first Sabbath, and Moses was up the mountain for six days before God came to speak to him. This holy event is rooted in time and place.
On the mountain are, Moses the great lawgiver, Elijah the great prophet, with Jesus, the One to whom the law and prophets point. A moment of assurance for Jesus, a moment confirming Peter’s insight that Jesus is the Messiah – see vs. 5 where God speaks, repeating the words said at Jesus’ baptism (Matt. 3:17).
Peter again misunderstands the larger and longer direction/purpose to which Jesus is headed. Peter wants to make a shrine on the top of the mountain and stay there in that moment, thereby avoiding the cross. To stay on this mount means not going to the Mount of the Crucifixion – the place where Jesus will be revealed as the Saviour/Redeemer of all of creation.
In de-briefing the three disciples about what they experienced, Jesus explicitly references the path he is on – vs. 9 – he instructs the three to tell no one about what they have seen “until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead” and in vs. 12 Jesus says “the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.” Jesus will not be stopped from reaching the cross, even though twice Peter has suggested that Jesus avoid the cross.
PRAYER:
We are in awe, O Lord, your Son Jesus Christ, could have remained in glory and wonder, but he chose the path that led to the cross and to our salvation. That He would give up such glory for the sake of ungrateful human beings is a wonder beyond our limited imaginations. In Jesus’ name. Amen.