The Gospel According to Matthew
Chapter 17: 1-13
Question of the Day: What have you seen in nature that really spoke to you. Or what in nature has recently ministered to you?
INTRODUCTION: Well we are in a new Chapter. This chapter starts with a strange story. The Transfiguration. What is this all about, and what on earth can we take away? What life application can we take away from this story. How do we answer who am I?
READ:
The Transfiguration
17 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.”
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 facedown 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.”
10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished.In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
To start with Jesus takes three disciples to the mountains. When you read in Ellen White she goes into a lot of detail about Jesus needing to go away. Needing to be in nature. She writes, "He has often spent entire nights in the mountains in prayer. He whose hand formed mountain and valley is at home with nature, and enjoys its quietude."
Jesus needed to get away and so to nature he went where he spent time in prayer.
When was the last time you got away into nature and prayed. Even if it wasn't a trip, just in your yard or on your porch? When was the last time you prayed in nature. What was that experience like for you?
My bible talks about the transfiguration as being a foretaste of heaven. If that is the case, what was Jesus doing?
What does this say to us?
Jesus was talking. Talking with Elijah and Moses. They were talking. Is that important? I think it is. Can you imagine talking face to face with Jesus? Being in heaven, in the perfect surroundings, in nature, and then having a conversation with Jesus.
What happens when we talk?
Talking is part of relationships. Talking is part of bond building. Talking is how you develop and keep connection. Talking is relational.
Heaven is going to be a place of connection, bonds, relationships, a place where we fellowship together.
If this is a foretaste of heaven, then why were Moses and Elijah there? Why or how were they chosen or what do they represent?
Moses: "Moses upon the mount of transfiguration was a witness to Christ's victory over sin and death. He represented those who shall come forth from the grave at the resurrection of the just." Desire of Ages.
Elijah: "Elijah, who had been translated to heaven without seeing death, represented those who will be living upon the earth at Christ's second coming, and who will be "changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;" when "this mortal must put on immortality," and "this corruptible must put on incorruption." 1 Cor. 15:51-53." Desire of Ages
Then there is Jesus.
Jesus: "Jesus was clothed with the light of heaven, as He will appear when He shall come "the second time without sin unto salvation." For He will come "in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Heb. 9:28; Mark 8:38." Desire of ages
Now do you remember at the end of Chapter 16 we had a question about what Jesus was saying to the disciples?
Go back and read Matthew 16:28. We had several theories about what this meant. Here reading what Ellen White says in Desire of Ages, answers the question. Jesus was talking about this. About the transfiguration. He was giving these men, some of these men a vision of heaven, of Jesus coming in His glory and those who will go with him (represented in Moses and Elijah.)
Ellen White continues...
"The Saviour's promise to the disciples was now fulfilled. Upon the mount the future kingdom of glory was represented in miniature,--Christ the King, Moses a representative of the risen saints, and Elijah of the translated ones."
What does Peter want to do?
Why?
Poor Peter, he still doesn't get it. I think sometimes Peter is in the bible for us right now. He was the character that Jesus said, I will need him to demonstrate that some may be clueless for a long time, think they know it but they won't.
Then what did they see? How long after Peter was talking?
They hear God. What do they hear?
Can you imagine. Can you imagine hearing God's voice.
I also just realized that Moses and Elijah have not spoken with Jesus before this. Right?
So what does all this have to do with us?
1. We need to talk to one another. After all if talking is going to be happening in heaven shouldn't we be prepared?
2. We need to talk with Jesus. Take time away in nature to talk, to listen to have a conversation.
3. Jesus made it clear that this little foretaste of heaven includes those who will overcome death and those who will never die. Heaven can be for all, for all generations.
Who am I? A future resident of a mansion being prepared for me right now!
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