The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 17 Part 2 Jesus Christ Is Central In All Scripture

When Jesus was transfigured, Moses and Elijah appeared to talk with Him.

Matthew 17:1-3  And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 

In our last post we learned that when Jesus took Peter, James and John apart with Him, that we must also take time to be alone with God, free from daily distractions.

We learned from Jesus' transfiguration that God is Light and that we are to walk as children of light.

God called us out of sin's darkness into the marvelous light of salvation through repentant faith in Christ.

The narrative continues in this post.

Matthew tells us that Moses and Elijah appeared when Jesus was transfigured, talking with Christ.

Abraham is called the father of the faithful and the recipient of God's unconditional covenant of grace.

Moses is called the great lawgiver and mediator of the old covenant. 

He was also the redeemer of God's people, freeing them from Egyptian slavery and leading them toward the promised land. 

He was the author of the first five books of the Old Testament and God spoke to him face to face.

One more especially unique aspect of Moses' life, is that he did not die a natural death nor was he killed in battle.

Moses died a supernatural death.

Deuteronomy 34:4-7  And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. 5  So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6  And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. 7  And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. 

Moses was told by God to strike the rock one time and that water would be supplied to God's people and livestock.

Moses was angry with the people because of their constant complaining and murmuring and he struck the rock twice.

Because he disobeyed God, Moses was told he would be allowed to see the promised land, but not enter it.

This text above tells us about his death.

God allowed Moses to see all the land as He promised and then He called Moses home to heaven.

Notice, scripture makes it very clear that though he was 120 years old, Moses' health was still very good.

God buried Moses in a valley in the land of Moab and no one ever discovered his grave.

Like Moses, Elijah was a larger than life prophet of the Old Testament. He was used of God to confront wicked King Ahab and his idolatrous wife, Jezebel.

God used Elijah to overthrow the worship of Baal and bring revival to Israel. 

Elijah called for a drought as judgment upon Ahab's kingdom and it lasted 3 1/2 years, until he prayed that the LORD would end the drought.

God spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai and He spoke to Elijah on Mount Horeb.

Elijah was taken to heaven without dying in a supernatural way.

2 Kings 2:9-14  And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 10  And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. 11  And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12  And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. 13  He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14  And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.

Elijah did not die a natural death either.

God told Elijah to anoint Elisha as his replacement and that he was going to take him to heaven.

The two men walked together and Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him before the LORD took him home to heaven.

Elisha asked for a double portion of the Spirit of God and Elijah told him that if he saw the moment when God took him to heaven, it would be so.

Suddenly, as they walked together, a fiery chariot pulled by horses of fire separated the two men and a whirlwind caught Elijah and took him home to heaven.

Thus, both men were prominent figures in God's redemptive purposes.

Both men worked many miracles.

Both men had a miraculous end to their lives on earth.

Both men appeared to talk with Jesus as He was transfigured. Moses represented the law and Elijah represented the prophets.

Moses and Elijah represent the testimony of the law and prophets about Jesus Christ.

Luke 24:25-27  Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 

The risen Lord appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus as they were discussing all that happened in Jerusalem in connection with Christ.

They were perplexed that Jesus suffered and died, just as Peter was when Jesus announced His suffering, death and resurrection.

Jesus then rebuked them for not knowing all that the law and the prophets declared about Messiah.

Thus, we have the law and the prophets represented by the presence of Moses and Elijah when Jesus was transfigured.

Peter, James and John must surely have been overwhelmed seeing Jesus' glory on display while standing in the presence of such illustrious Old Testament characters.

Peter's impulsiveness caused him to speak rashly about Moses and Elijah.

Matthew 17:4  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 

Matthew recorded that Peter told Jesus that it would be good to make three tabernacles, one for Christ, one for Moses and one for Elijah.

This showed the impulsive nature of Peter once again.

Luke adds some important detail that we must read to help us understand the context.

Luke 9:30-32  And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31  Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 32  But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. 

Luke tells us about Jesus' transformation and the appearance of Moses and Elijah.

Both men were speaking to Jesus about His  impending suffering, death and resurrection at Jerusalem.

Then, Luke tells us that Peter, James and John had fallen asleep but they awoke to see Christ's glory and hear the conversation.

There is certainly something the Lord wanted to teach Peter in this moment, for he had vigorously opposed the idea of Jesus suffering, death and resurrection.

Now, Peter heard two of the most prominent Old Testament saints speak of the same truth with Jesus.

Peter had a grave misunderstanding when he suggested that three tabernacles be constructed.

He either elevated Moses and Elijah to the same plane as Jesus Christ the Son of God, or he brought Jesus down to the level of an Old Testament saint.

Neither view is accurate and the heavenly Father is going to step in immediately and set the record straight.

Peter's impulsive words received heaven's swift rebuke and filled them with fear.

Matthew 17:4-6  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 

Notice the sequence of events here. Peter misunderstood the true divine nature of Jesus Christ and the Father swiftly intervened.

While the words were coming out of Peter's mouth, a bright cloud overshadowed them.

Remember, the transfiguration of Jesus was described in terms of being brighter than the sunlight and as a white and pure light.

Now, an even brighter cloud came over them and a voice came out of it.

It was Jesus' Father speaking. He said "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."

Jesus Christ, the Son of God is the central focus of all scripture, Old and New Testaments.

It pleased the Father that all the fulness of the Godhead dwell in Christ bodily (See Colossians 1:15-20; 2:6-12).

Thus, the Father said He is well pleased with the perfect work of His Son on earth. 

Jesus always perfectly did the will of His Father, and perfectly carried out the work His Father gave Him to complete.

Therefore, the Father put all the emphasis and all the focus upon His beloved Son, Jesus Christ and He cemented it with a strong command.

"Hear ye Him!" was the Father's command and no doubt this struck fear deep into Peter's heart, knowing that he did not hear Jesus with the intent to obey, but pushed back on Christ going to the cross.

All three disciples were struck with fear and fell on their faces.

Hebrews 12:28-29 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29  For our God is a consuming fire. 

When Peter, James and John fell on their faces and were overcome with great fear, they remind us who God is.

He is a consuming fire and we must learn to serve Him with respect, reverence and fear.

Matthew 17:6-9  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7  And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 8  And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. 9  And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. 

After this Jesus came to His disciples and touched them and told them not to be afraid.

They carefully lifted their eyes and saw only Jesus.

Being reassured by the Lord that all was well, then came down the mountain together.

Jesus spoke to them at this juncture and He said "Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. "

We can be sure that from this point on, these three men did indeed hear and obey what Jesus said to them.

Deuteronomy 18:15-19  The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; 16  According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. 17  And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. 18  I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. 

Moses spoke of Jesus Christ prophetically in this passage.

The people consistently complained, murmured and rebelled against God's leader, Moses.

Moses said that God would raise up a prophet like him, and "unto him shall ye hearken."

Christ is that prophet foretold by Moses and all will listen to Him when He speaks, for He is King of kings, Lord of lords and the Judge to whom all authority is granted.

When Jesus rules the nations, He will do so with a rod of iron and none shall resist Him.

His Word will govern all things and people!

What do we learn about God from this section?

First, we learn that in our present state, we are not properly made to be in the presence of God.

This is why we will receive a new, glorified body at the resurrection of life.

Second, it reminds us of the power of God's Word. We must hear Him and obey.

This same powerful word that created all things when nothing existed is the same powerful word that can save us and show us how to live.

Third, it reminds us of the beauty, glory, majesty and humility of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus is a compassionate high priest who knows all about human suffering, affliction, oppression and injustice.

He will lead us like a loving Shepherd. 

He will sustain us as the Giver of all life. 

He will shelter us from our enemy with His omnipotent hands.

He will faithfully fulfill every one of His promises to us.

Therefore, let us bow down before our risen Lord and seek to love and serve Him to the best of our abilities.

May we rest in Christ, knowing that as a perfect man, He knows what we are up against each day.

Let us rest in Christ, knowing that nothing can pluck us from His hands!

Bob