THE TRANSFIGURATION

Bob Mills

THE INNER CIRCLE

I don’t think there is any significance to the fact that they were all fishermen by trade, but Peter, James and John were often with Jesus when the other nine were not. James and John were brothers, but Andrew was the brother Peter and he was not part of this inner circle. These three were given and experience and information that Jesus told them not to share with the others until after the resurrection. This is the first of three things that stand out about this scripture. (Matthew 26:37, Mark 5:37, Mark 13:3)

MOSES, ELIJAH, JESUS

The second is the transfiguration itself and that Moses and Elijah returned and were talking with Jesus. Their faces shone “as the sun.” We have read of this before when Moses went up to the mountain and talked with God. After that occasion his face shone so brightly that the people were frightened and he wore a veil. This is the same light that Paul had been blinded for a time by and was an indication of the presence of God the Father. Here, Moses represented the Law, and Elijah the Prophets. Those two sources lead us to the Christ. (Luke 9:31)

GOD’S ENDORSEMENT

The third is the voice of God saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him.” God had spoken those same words, when John baptized Jesus. (Matthew 3:17) The inner circle, were being prepared ahead of time to use the Law and the Prophets to reveal the Divinity of Christ, God’s Son, and to preach His plan for the salvation of mankind. God was saying, “Listen to Him.” The Law and the Prophets were being fulfilled, now Christ’s message is what counts.

CHRIST THE MESSIAH

Peter had wanted to build shelters for Moses and Elijah, but, no, their work was completed, now it is Jesus we are to hear and follow.

Matthew 17:1-13 KJV

1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, (Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36, 2 Peter 1:17,18, Matthew 26:37, Mark 5:37, Mark 13:3)

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.

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. (Mark 9:5, Luke 9:11)

5 While he yet spoke, 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. (Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22, 2 Peter 1:17, Isaiah 42:1, Matthew 3:17, Matthew 12:18)

6 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. (Matthew 14:27)

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. (Matthew 17:9-13, Mark 9:9-11m Matthew 8:4, Matthew 8:20, Matthew 17:12, Matthew 17:27, Matthew 16:21)

10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? (Malachi 4:5, Matthew 11:14. Matthew 16:14)

11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. (Matthew 8:20, Matthew 17:9, Matthew 17:22)

13 Then the disciples understood that he spoke unto them of John the Baptist.