"The Transfiguration" 

THE KING IN HIS GLORY -- 17:1-13

The transfiguration of Christ is one of the key events in His earthly ministry. This was the only time His glory, veiled in human flesh , was allowed to shine forth (John 1:14). This glory was not the reflection of outward light; it was the revelation of inward holiness. The same word is used in Rom. 12:2 ("transformed") and 2 Cor. 3:18 ("change") referring to the Christian's growth in holiness.

  1. The Participants: There were seven: CHRIST, PETER, JAMES, JOHN, MOSES, ELIJAH, and GOD the FATHER. Peter, James and John has three special experiences with Christ -- one on the Mount of Transfiguration, in the home of Jairus (Mark 5:37), and in the Garden of Gethsemene (Matt. 26:36-46). In each case, Jesus taught them a new lesson about Himself.
  2. The Purpose: The transfiguration was, first of all, a PICTURE OF THE COMING KINGDOM. Jesus promised that some of the disciples would not see death until they had seen Him in His kingdom (Matt. 16:28). Now, look carefully at 2 Peter 1:16-20 for Peter's explanation, and you will see that it has to do with the promised kingdom. Peter had just recently confessed Christ as the Son of God (16:16), and had learned the truth about the coming death of Christ (Matt. 16: 21-23). He and the other disciples were probably asking, "If He is going to die on the cross, what about all the promises of the Kingdom? Will they be fulfilled? Christ in His transfiguration assured them that the Word would stand and the kingdom would come. I believe the scene actually was a picture of the kingdom: Christ glorified, the three apostles representing the redeemed Israel, Moses representing saints who died in Christ, Elijah representing saints who were raptured (for Elijah did not die), and the multitude at the foot of the mountain representing the other nations.
    Another purpose was TO STRENGTHEN CHRIST FOR HIS SUFFERING. Moses and Elijah talked with Him about His coming "decease" at Jerusalem (Luke 9:30-31) and the voice of the Father came as another encouragement to the Son. It was also an encouragement to the disciples as they faced separation from the Lord as He experienced His suffering and death. Had they remembered this scene, they would not have failed Him or lost hope when He died.
  3. The Peril: Again Peter speaks with a carnal viewpoint and tempts Jesus from the cross ! The Father rebukes him. "Hear ye Him!" is still Gods message, for Christ is God' s "last word" to men (Heb. 1:1-13). The law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah) witness to Christ (Luke 24:27, 44), but Christ is superior to Moses and Elijah. See Rom 10:4 and Acts 10:43). "Jesus only" (vs 8) is the only safe attitude for the Christian to have.
  4. The Perplexity: Coming down the mountain, the disciples asked about Elijah, referring to the promises in Mal. 4:5-6 and 3:1. Christ states that John the Baptist fulfilled in spirit these promises (Luke 1:17), but that Elijah himself would come.

THE KING IN HIS POWER -- 17:14-21

We cannot always stay on the mount of glory with the King; we must descend with Him into the valley of need where Satan is at work. "Within the veil" and "without the camp" are two essentials for victory (Heb 10:19-22; 13:13). The nine disciples left at the foot of the mountain were embarrassed by failure; they had lost the power over demons Christ had given them (10:8). The cause was their unbelief and lack of devotion. Perhaps they had become envious because the other three disciples had gone up to the mount with Jesus. SECRET SINS ROBS US OF POWER -- UNBELIEF ROBS US OF POWER. There is a picture here: When the King comes again, He will bind Satan and set the world free from demonic powers (Rev. 19:11-20).

THE KING IN HIS HUMILITY -- 17:22-27

We must surely realize that He became poor that we might be made rich (2 Cor. 8:9). Let us look a four characteristics of this miracle:

  1. It is the only miracle Christ performed to meet His own needs. The Temple tax of a half-shekel was paid by every Jewish male (Ex. 30:11). Jesus was so poor that He did not have this insignificant amount: how humble Jesus was (Phil. 2:5-8).
  2. It is recorded only by Matthew. This is the Gospel of the King, and this miracle has to do with Christ's kingship. Jesus affirms here that He is the "child of the king" and therefore need not pay the tax. Christ proved His kingship by performing a complicated miracle. A coin had to be lost in the sea; a fish had to take it in its mouth -- and then the fish had to bite on Peter's hook! Christ has "dominion over the fish of the sea...." (Psalm 8:6-8) with (Heb. 2:6) 
  3. It is the only miracle using money. This tax was a reminder of the Jews' redemption from Egyptian slavery. They were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (Ex. 12), not by silver and gold; but the silver shekel was a token of that redemption.
  4. It was performed for Peter also. Jesus performed many miracles especially for Peter: healing his mother-in-law, helping him walk on the sea, saving him when he began to sink, giving him great catches of fish. We find in the book of Acts, Christ delivered Peter several times. Why did Jesus do all this for Peter? "For me and thee" -- for Peter's good and God's glory. There is no wonder Peter wrote, "Casting ALL your care upon Him, for He careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7). Whatever the need, Christ can meet it.
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