The
scene in these verses shifted from Caesarea
Philippi, where Peter made that great confession, to Mount Tabor six days later. For
Christians,
Mount
Tabor is considered a holy mountain. It is also referred to as "the mount
of Transfiguration," for
it was on top of this
mountain that Christ was transfigured before His three close disciples, Peter,
James and John. Now in these verses Matthew describes for us that
remarkable event on that mountain. On careful examination we’ll find four
dramatic experiences described for us
Firstly, the Lord
Jesus was gloriously changed before the eyes of those three disciples. His
countenance was altered. His face shone so brightly like the sun and His garment
became whiter than light. Glory simply radiated from His whole being. It could well describe the same glory He had
before His incarnation as the Son.
Secondly, there
were two heavenly visitors – Moses and Elijah that appeared and were talking to
them. Interestingly, Jesus did not have to introduce them to His disciples.
They just knew who these two heavenly visitors were. But why Moses and Elijah?
And not Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, King David or any of the other prophets of old? It’s
probably because these two represent the two major divisions of the Bible – the
Law and the Prophets - that pointed to the coming of the Messiah. Incidentally
they also represented two ways that men could enter heaven – via death or the
impending rupture. Come and think of it, Moses finally got to step on the soil
of the promised land. Remember he was barred from entering it because he did
not wholly obeyed the Lord during the wilderness journey. God extended His
grace to him and allowed him to experience what he failed to experience
centuries earlier.
Thirdly, we are
told of Peter’s suggestion to build three booths up on that mountain - one for
the Lord, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Perhaps Peter wanted to make that their
headquarters for world reformation. Out of fear Peter felt compelled to say
something. There are those that have something to say, but there are also those
that have to say something. Peter was the second category of people. And scarcely
had he finished what he had to say when the fourth and final dramatic
experience took place. They were suddenly overcast by the Shekinah, the cloud of
glory, and the voice of the Father was heard. “This is my beloved Son, with
whom I am well-pleased: listen to Him!” Why this dramatic announcement? Peter
had just tried to place Jesus on par with Moses and Elijah. It was God’s way of
saying to the disciples that Jesus is different from Moses and Elijah. We all
need to know that He is God’s own beloved Son.
On that mountain the
focus was on Jesus. It wasn’t on Moses or Elijah. Peter felt he needed to say something
and it all came out wrong. The purpose of the whole scene was to highlight our
precious Lord. As He was then, He is still the same. He is not just a great
leader. He is not just a prophet. He is the Messiah, God’s beloved Son. God
made it categorically clear that He was pleased with what Jesus, His Son, was
doing. The words that the Father said to the disciples then, He will say to us
His followers today: listen to Him! Will we?
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