The transfiguration of Jesus Matthew 17:1-9

Metamorphosis

Jesus’ metamorphoses Word becoming flesh (John 1) “The Transfiguration” (Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9) Jesus’ post-resurrection body (e.g. John 20)

Transfiguration Context End of Jesus’ ministry Turning point Jesus’focus turns to future community of believers Climax in debate on his divinity Announcement of death and future glory

Jesus’ transfiguration Matthew 17:1-9 1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’

Jesus’ transfiguration Matthew 17:1-9 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’ 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. ‘Get up,’ he said. ‘Don’t be afraid.’ 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, ‘Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’

Jesus’ transfiguration What does it mean for us ? Not Isaiah ? Why ? Why Elijah ? Significance ? Why ? Why Moses? Why not David ? Why not Abraham ? Why ? What does it teach us ?

1. The visual message: evidence of God’s glory 1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

1. The visual message: evidence of God’s glory Moses Exodus 33-34 (2nd set of law stones) 33:18 Then Moses said, ‘Now show me your glory.’ 34:29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord

1. The visual message: evidence of God’s glory Moses John (John 1:14) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

1. The visual message: evidence of God’s glory Moses John (John 1:14) Peter (2 Peter 1:16) 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

1. The visual message: evidence of God’s glory Moses John (John 1:14) Peter (2 Peter 1:16) Announcement of Jesus’ suffering and death put into context: future glory – period of lent Isaiah 53 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great

2. Verbal message: Jesus’ fulfilment of the law and the prophecies 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’

2. Verbal message: Jesus’ fulfilment of the law and the prophecies Moses Also experienced the glory of God Moses and Elijah Acquainted with suffering Unusual deaths Connected with end times (Deut 18:15, Mal 4:5) Supreme representatives of the Law and the Prophets Jesus came to fulfil the law and the prophecies

We need to be transformed too 3. What does it mean for us ? We need to be transformed too No masquerade (μετασχηματίζονται - 2 Cor 11:13-15) No conformation (συσχηματίζεσθε - Rom 12:2) But metamorphosis (μεταμορφοῦσθε - Rom 12:2) inward change, by the power of the Holy Spirit We have a share in God’s glory (John 14:8-9; 1 Cor 13:12) But we can’t stay ‘on the mountain’