Primary Text: Matthew 17:1-27
Memory Verse: Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Matthew 17:1-3
Introduction:
The transfiguration of Jesus marks the culminating event of His public life. The earthly public ministry which began at His baptism, and ended at His ascension, reaches its height in this glorious event.
About a week after travelling through Caesarea Philippi, Jesus, Peter, James, and John went apart from the other disciples into a mountain. There the chosen disciples were witnesses to an event unlike any they’d ever seen. They witnessed the appearance of Moses and Elijah, and the transfiguration of Jesus.
The appearance of Moses and Elijah was significant. Moses represented the Law, and Elijah represented the Prophets. All of the Law and Prophets point to Christ and are fulfilled in Christ.
The disciples also witnessed the true nature of Christ. His face shone like the sun. His garments became as white as snow. The dazzling brightness which emanated from Him was produced by the divine nature within Him. And God spoke from heaven, proclaiming Jesus to be His Son.
The visage was a foretaste of the glory of the Kingdom of God which Jesus would attain by suffering. Seeing His glory and hearing His heritage proclaimed gave the disciples faith to prepare them for the terrible struggle that lay ahead for Jesus. They were first-hand witnesses of the truth of Jesus’s divinity and would soon be witnesses to the truth of His humanity.
Jesus Christ laid aside His glory when He came to earth. But because of the finished work on the cross, He has received back His glory. By entering into covenant with Him, we also receive the glory because He shares it with us (John 17:22, 24). Fortunately, we don’t have to wait for the heavenly Kingdom to share in the transfiguration glory. When we surrender ourselves to God, He transfigures our minds (Romans 12:1-2) and when we yield to His spirit, we are transfigured from “glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- What was the purpose of the transfiguration? Matthew 17:5; John 1:14; Hebrews 3:3.
- Why were Peter, James, and John chosen to witness the transfiguration? Matthew 17:1
- What was the purpose of John the Baptist’s ministry? Matthew 17:11; 14:10; Mark 9:12; Luke 1:17; Acts 3:22.
- What is faith? Psalm 37:4; Romans 8:28; Philippians 4:19; Titus 1:1-2; Proverbs 3:5; 1 Timothy 4:12.
- How do you know if you have faith? Hebrews 11:6, 8.
- How do you get faith? John 6:44; Romans 10:17; Ephesians 2:8.
- How much faith is necessary? Matthew 17:20.
- Do Christians have to pay taxes? Matthew 17:24-25; 22:21.
- What should be more important to us than being vindicated before our enemies? Luke 6:31-36.