How beyond human understanding that God the Father allowed mere humans to witness the transfiguration of the Son of God in all His glory. How wonderful that Holy Spirit inspired them to write of it for our learning and allow us a glimpse into the greatest gift of God in the gift of salvation.
2 Peter 1:16–18 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”…
Romans 15:4 whatever things were written in the OT were for our learning the ways of God. In Scriptures we have comfort and hope.
God detest unbelief, it cost the life of Jesus the Christ, born out of His great love for His creation to offer us eternal life.
Jesus is the High Priest and He offered the final gift, His very life, for all who would accept His death for our sins.
As a man He had compassion on all the people as He was tempted in all areas. His resurrection allow mankind to come boldly to the throne of grace without fear.
Matthew 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
No man could take this honor of High Priest but He that was called of God. But the man Jesus was not like the human priest but was the Son of God, all man and all God, called by God He had begotten Him as a priest forever. In His humanity He prayed to the Father and as God He calmed the seas.
Psalm 2:7 “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
…what we learn is meant to equip us with knowledge of God so we can live out the will of God. Therefore, we are called to "rightly handle the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). Our response to the Word matters (James 1:22-25). We are tasked to know the Truth and live the Truth.
In the end, Jesus is the only perfect Teacher. The rest of us wrestle with personal inconsistencies that can either become acts of hypocrisy or reasons for humility. Thankfully, when we stumble or fail (James 3:2), as believers, we can confess our faults to each other and to God (James 5:16). We can repent and be forgiven and restored (1 John 1:9). While we are not all teachers, God has set apart each of His people to share His Truth in some way (Matthew 28:19-20), which requires our dependence on Him in every way.
As the reality of our guilt comes upon us, Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:29-30). The pressures of life can tangle us in stress and worry, but the yoke of Jesus steers us and stops us when needed. His Truth is the perfect bridle. Not only does Jesus keep us from stumbling, but He presents us "blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy" (Jude 1:24). First5
So. This is about the paradigm (or glasses, or eyes) that we use to see where our well-being is grounded. And too often, we use the glasses or paradigm which sees only our shortcomings, and we do not see our beauty.
We do not see Grace. We do not see Love.
We choose selective blindness. And with that paradigm, we carry a script that is not the whole truth. And such a script (or label or narrative) will always influence or persuade us, to play small. Sabbath Moments
Take time to remember. “Look at what you were when God called you” (1 Corinthians 1:26 NCV). Remember who held you in the beginning. And remember who holds you today. Max Lucado
Matthew 17:1-9
17 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” 10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 11 Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. 12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist. The New King James Version
These men compose the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples. They occasionally become privy to events that the rest of the group does not see.
There is no indication that Jesus and the disciples have moved away from Caesarea Philippi located at the base of Mount Hermon. Another possibility is Mount Tabor, southwest of the Sea of Galilee. Since the fifth century, church tradition has favored Mount Tabor, though there is no textual basis for this choice; the association was established by early pilgrims. Details in the narrative seem to fit better with Mount Hermon, located on the northern edge of Bashan—a region associated in Jesus’ day with demonic activity. Based on this connection, Jesus’ revelation of His true identity in the Transfiguration can be understood as an advance against evil: The King has arrived to defeat the powers of darkness and claim what belongs to Him.
The presence of these men might signify that both the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) point to Jesus. Jesus mentions His forthcoming resurrection for the second time. Faithlife Study Bible
Moses and Elijah represented the Old Testament, personifying the Law and the Prophets. Their presence indicated that the Old Testament Scriptures had been looking forward to the Messiah and His kingdom.
This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased were the identical words spoken at Jesus’ baptism in 3:17. Hear Him seems to refer to Deuteronomy. The command for silence was due to the fact that the masses of Israel had an incorrect concept of the Messiah. They expected a conquering king, not a Suffering Servant. The NKJV Study Bible
Now the disciples beheld somewhat of Christ’s glory, as of the only begotten of the Father. It was intended to support their faith, when they would have to witness his crucifixion; and would give them an idea of the glory prepared for them, when changed by his power and made like him. The apostles were overcome by the glorious sight. Peter thought that it was most desirable to continue there, and to go no more down to meet the sufferings of which he was so unwilling to hear. In this he knew not what he said. That sacrifice was not yet offered, without which the souls of sinful men could not have been saved; and important services were to be done by Peter and his brethren. While Peter spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, an emblem of the Divine presence and glory. Ever since man sinned, and heard God’s voice in the garden, unusual appearances of God have been terrible to man. They fell prostrate to the earth, till Jesus encouraged them; when looking round, they beheld only their Lord as they commonly saw him. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Matthew 3:17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Luke 9:28–36 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening…
Mark 9:2–13 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them…
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