NTDS (20) “Listen to Him!”

Matt 17:2  And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. NASU

This event is one of the most important events in the earthy life of Jesus and has great meaning and value to every believer. Jesus had told His disciples just six days earlier that some of them would not die until they saw Him “coming in His kingdom.” It is likely that they were thinking that Jesus meant that He would be setting up His kingdom on earth soon. That is one of the reasons for their confusion about much of what would be taking place and what Jesus had just told them about going to Jerusalem to be put to death. How could he be coming into His kingdom if He was going to die very soon?

To fulfill His promise, Jesus took Peter, James and John up to a high mountain (most likely Mt Hermon, near Caesarea Philippi), just the four of them. It was there that this amazing event occurred. Why did this happen? What was the purpose? How is it important to us today?

Just before Jesus made this promise to His disciples, He had been speaking about the cost of being a disciple and the need for one to completely give their life to Him. He promised that when He came into His glory, that His followers would be rewarded. They must have wondered what this really meant and how Jesus was going to deliver on that promise, since He had said that He was soon to be put to death. That is why Jesus purposely took the three with Him, knowing what would take place.

He would let them see a glimpse of the glory He had been talking about. What they witnessed was similar to the Shekinah glory that these men had read about in their Scriptures. Not only did they see His glory with their own eyes, they heard the voice of the father, telling them to listen to His Son.

To add to this miraculous event, they saw Moses and Elijah, who were talking with Jesus. This was significant because it would show the disciples the reality of life after death. Though Elijah did not experience death, he was alive long after God had taken him away. Moses, on the other hand, did die, yet there he was. Jesus was letting His disciples see that when He spoke of death and resurrection, He spoke with authority and they could trust what He said.

This is why this event is so important to us. It shows us that Jesus is the eternal God, because Moses and Elijah knew Him and He knew them. That would be impossible unless Jesus existed well before 33 AD. It shows us that when we are in God’s glorious kingdom, we will know Jesus as well. It demonstrates Jesus’ superiority over Moses (representing the Old Testament Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets) when The Father says to listen to His Son.

Everything about this event should strengthen our faith, knowing that we follow a mighty king, who has the power to “bring to life” those who have died. He has the authority over life and death and everything in between. He has the ability to fulfill every promise He makes and He has made many wonderful promises to those who believe in Him. The revelation of His glory for a brief moment on earth should excite us as to what the “glory to be revealed” (Ro 8:18) will be like.

John the Apostle later described this experience with these words, “and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 NASU

If you are a believer in Christ, you are looking forward to this time, when we behold His glory as we see Him face to face. If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, now is the time to give your life to Him. He says in John 14:6
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” NASU

I pray that you will “listen to Him.”

God bless you

Coach