The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Series A)
February 26th, 2017
Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9
Epistle: 2 Peter 1:16-21
Lesson: Exodus 24:8-18
Psalm: Psalm 2:6-12
CLB Commentary – Rev. David Rinden
“The transfiguration is…a focal point in the revelation of the kingdom of God, for it looks back to the OT and shows how Christ fulfills it, and it looks on the great events of the cross, resurrection, ascension and parousia” so states the New Bible Dictionary (Inter-Varsity Press, Third Edition, 1996, p. 1200). The narrative of this text is more than an interesting story; it binds the two testaments together while declaring God’s mission for the world.
Peter and the other disciples heard Jesus tell of his coming death. (Matthew 16:21-28) Taking Jesus aside, Peter “began to rebuke him, ‘Never, Lord,’ he said, ‘This shall never happen to you!’” Peter didn’t grasp Christ’s mission yet. For this reason the words “After six days…” in verse one of Matthew 17 refers back to the events, and especially the interchange between Jesus and Peter. Peter, James, and John were about to be treated to an event they wouldn’t forget. They were about to experience the glory of Jesus, which in his flesh had been hidden. (Philippians 2)
This experience prepared the disciples for what lay ahead. It helped explain Jesus’ suffering in Gethsemane and on the cross. The presence of Moses and Elijah revealed the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah and were indeed fulfilled in Jesus.
- Jesus fulfilled the Law.
o Matthew 11:11-13o Galatians3:19-25 - Jesus fulfilled the prophecies concerning the suffering of the Messiah.o Luke 24:25-27; 44-45
- Jesus as the Messiah is the sole authority from God and the Mediator between God andman.
o Acts 3:22-23
o Hebrews 1:1-2 o 1 Timothy 2:5-6 - Jesus’ appearance, along with Moses and Elijah, shows the reality and consciousness of departed spirits, a hope for all God’s people.o Luke 16:19-31
o Revelation 6:9-11 o Hebrews 12:22-24
• Jesus’ Transfiguration shows the reality of the future eternal kingdom that is to come ̧ and which in part is now here.
o Luke 11:2
o Luke 17:20-21 o John 18:36
The Transfiguration narrative is found, not only in Matthew. It is also given in Mark 9:2-13 and Luke 9:28-30. Matthew and Mark use the word metemorphothe to describe Jesus’ transfiguration. This word expresses the idea that the change in Jesus’ appearance was more than external. Matthew alone describes Jesus’ appearance with these words, “His face shone like the sun.” (Revelation 1:16; 10:1; Acts 7:56; Daniel 7:9-14)
Peter’s desire to build three shelters shows his enthusiasm, but not his wisdom. God’s kingdom comes by way of suffering. Peter perhaps was trying to make possible the presence of God among them much the way God had revealed himself to Moses and the people of Israel in the wilderness. Or perhaps he was thinking about the shelters used in the Feast of Tabernacles. But this was not the will of Jesus. His purpose was to show the disciples that he was the fulfillment of the law given to Moses and Elijah. Now ahead of him lay the cross. He would be glorified by what he suffered.
Might this also be the will of God for us? (Luke 9:23-27; John 12:26; Matthew 20:24-28)