Scripture Reading: Matthew 17:1-9
Reflections: Christ was transfigured in front of his inner circle of disciples
- Peter, James, and John. Transfigured means metamorphosis.
Our passage tells us that Jesus’ “face shone like the sun, and His clothes
became as white as the light.”(2) But the word "Transfigured" here
suggests even more than that - change completely in a mysterious way to reveal
His glory and majesty. Christ glowed with brightness beyond anything. It
went beyond earthly witness and most likely reflected the glory that was
manifested in the throne room of God. That day, high on that mountain, Peter,
James, and John were exposed to a reality that transcended space, time, and
words.
In the previous chapter, Christ asks the disciples, "Who
do you say that I AM?" Peter responded, "You are the Christ". Jesus responds, "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father in heaven." And now these men were viewing Christ - transfigured. Change had occurred before
their eyes that had transcended flesh and blood and verified who He was, and
this portrait remains with them for the rest of their lives.
I don't know if they still do it, but often in junior high school, teachers
would do an experiment with iron filings on a piece of paper. The filings were
poured on the paper, and they would fall in a disheveled pile. Then a magnet
would be put under the paper, and as if by magic, the iron filings lined up.
They followed the magnet’s shape and force of direction. What happened on that
mountain is that the inner circle saw the power of God revealed in a special
way through Christ. For a moment they saw His glorious shape and force of direction.
They had a portrait of Him that others never saw.
I. Questions over the biblical passage: Matthew 17:1-9
1. What did Peter want to do, and how did the Father respond? (4-5)
2. What two Old Testament figures appeared with Jesus? (3)
II. Application:
1. Why do you think Jesus allowed His inner circle to experience this?
2. Why do you think that Moses and Elijah were there?
3. If you had been there, would you have gone along with Peter’s idea?
4. Why do you think that God the Father responded the way He did?