Listen to him [Matt 17a]

Matthew 17:1-13

Key Verse: 17:5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

Six day earlier, at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples who Jesus is. Peter answered that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the Living God. The disciples understood who truly Jesus was, the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.  Through this there was strong bond of relationship has been formed—God the Father, His son Jesus and his disciples. At least in the minds of the disciples, this axis of trust and love among God the father, then His son Jesus and then themselves is created. This is an eye opening truth and inseparable bond of love and trust. In addition to this bond of trust in relationship, there is a clear vision for the kingdom of God in the minds of his disciples. The firm conviction that Jesus is the Savior is extended to the firm conviction that the kingdom is being established at hand by Jesus. This is not just a vision but an actual reality in action, which will be fulfilled in a matter of months.

Under these two certainties in the minds of his disciples, Jesus spoke about his suffering and death. But Peter as well as the rest of the disciples could not accept such an idea that Messiah or the Son of the living God is to suffer and even die. This raises three questions. A. If Jesus is to die, then Jesus may not be the Son of God. B. If Jesus is the Son of God yet still he has to die then, God’s love may not be with Jesus! C. Or, Jesus, though he was the Son of God, is willing to go against God’s will because it is unlikely that God would let his son die.

Overall, it was incomprehensible and even preposterous idea to them. Yet Jesus said clearly in a non negotiable terms that Jesus must suffer and must die so as to rise from the dead.  

When there is no room to mitigate these two clashing of ideals, a big doubt, uncertainty and fear loomed in their mind. So within themselves, there came a big fight between the two, firm conviction that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, and Jesus’ plan to suffer and die. Which one is right? While the disciples were in this quandary, Jesus took an extraordinary and decisive action; some of the disciples will see the Son of man coming in God’s kingdom before they taste death.  So six day later, Jesus showed the three of his disciples an amazing glimpse of the kingdom of God. In this way, Jesus spoke more powerfully than ever before. What Jesus meant to say through this showing? What is Jesus’ primary concern in this? 

1. Listen to Him [1-8]

1 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. V1-3

But Jesus took only three of his disciples, John Peter and James to a high mountain. Most likely the rest of the disciples were left at the foot of the Mountain Hermon, near or at Caesarea Philippi. It is about 9200ft high, the highest one in Israel. There Jesus was transfigured. His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone can bleach them[Mark] His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightening.[Luke]    This is an amazing look, glorious and magnificent heavenly look. No earthly figures look in such glory. It is the true and genuine essence of Jesus being, the Son of God.

With this transfigured Jesus, Moses and Elijah appeared. They were also in glorious splendor [Luke9]. They were talking with Jesus. So these three were seeing a glimpse of  the Son of Man coming in his glorious kingdom. Jesus is going to restore this kingdom of glory. There is no explanation of what this glorious vision means. But we can deduce the following through catch what went on in the disciples’ mind through Peter’s word.  

1. This kingdom is the most glorious one. There were Moses and Elijah will be along with Jesus. Moses had been dead for over thousands of years. But he joins in this kingdom. Elijah suffered a great deal by ungodly Israel. But he ascended to heaven and he did not face death. So it is quite clear that this kingdom is not the kind of kingdom Israel had then, where many people suffer and die and people had no glory at all. In this regard this kingdom is different from the kingdom that Peter and the rest of Jesus’ disciples imagined. This is the kingdom where all dead as well as the living joins with Jesus. Also the kingdom is full of God’s glory. It is far better than they had ever imagined.
2. Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus in this kingdom. This means that what each of these two thought and believed is in line with what Jesus is planning to do. The kingdom that Moses envisioned, the kingdom that Elijah envisioned is the same kingdom that Jesus is to bring and to restore for Israel. This is very important for the disciples because the foundation of Peter’s understanding of the kingdom is Moses’ and Elijah’s teaching.
3. Moses and Elijah were God’s agents. We can say that they were prophets. But they were distinctively different from many other prophets. First Moses established God’s kingdom through the law and Elijah made all effort to keep the kingdom by preaching repentance.—turning from idols to God. So as far as creating and keeping the kingdom, these two are the major players.  However, the demands of God made through Moses failed to yield its fruit in Israel. Likewise, demands of repentance made through Elijah failed also.. The outcome was clear; they went exile and lost their own kingdom.  Has God relinquish that demand from his people? No, that demand is still stand. If we see these two as God’s demand for Israel, then how can Israel meet that demand? The answer is Jesus. The law failed and calling for repentance failed. Jesus is the solution and answer to this demand of God. In this regard, Jesus is pictured as the answer to their unmet demand as well as God’s final solution for Israel.  So the kingdom that Moses attempted to establish and the kingdom that Elijah tried to keep is fulfilled in and by Jesus.

   What did the disciples think about this glorious look of Jesus’ kingdom?

V4. 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."

Here Peter’s concern was the place—‘here’. It is somewhat strikingly surprising because he was not so much surprised by ‘the glory of Jesus’ or ‘appearance of Moses and Elijah along with Jesus.’ Rather Peter saw and was amazed at the glimpse of ‘Jesus’ kingdom’, a place to live forever. God’s kingdom is the utmost hope of Peter and Peter found it here.

Second, Peter felt so good that he was there. Further he wanted to be there longer, along with Moses and Elijah. This desire was so strong that he offered something remarkable. 

4b.If you wish, I will put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.

I am sure that Peter had his own particular dream when he met Jesus. He felt that His dream is coming true as Jesus demonstrated amazing power as the Son of God.  He felt that his dream is about to be fulfilled when he confessed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. But the dream he envisioned was of the earth and limited by his frame of understanding. He never saw God and His glory. He never imagined that he could taste and even participate in such glory. Simply such glory was not in his dictionary. In his faculty of mind, there was nothing that matches with such glory of Jesus’ kingdom. But the moment he saw this, he knew that this was it! This is what he was waiting for so long! So how did he express his desire?

He wants to stay here forever! This is what Peter is saying.  Have you ever find such place?  There are many places like heavenly kingdom. So often we say, ‘this is like heaven.’  But there is no place that matches the kingdom of Jesus. This is what Peter came to see and came to know. So his desire is clear. Right now or from now on, I want to stay here!

Then can it be possible for Peter to stay there now and forever thereafter? Didn’t God know Peter’s mind?

V5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

It was just about the time Peter was finishing his last word, suddenly a bright cloud enveloped them and a voice said from the clouds. Here it says that ‘while Peter was still speaking’ this happened. This means that what Peter was saying was concerned much by the one speaking from the cloud. It was almost like cutting off Peter’s word.

A bright cloud overshadowed them. The word overshadow means to be diffused or spread over them. So this was very overwhelming.  Who was speaking from the bright clouds? When God appeared to Moses in mountain Sinai, He appeared in a cloud bright by fire, It is the symbol of the Divine Presence. So it is obvious that God was speaking to them.  

"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

Peter’s desire is to have this glorious place right now! But God demands something totally unexpected. Here God expressed his thoughts in four things; three are his relationship with Jesus. One is God’s direct command to Peter or the three disciples. The three things that God addressed about Jesus make the sound reason for the last command. 

1. This is my son. Jesus is God’s son. God the Father says that Jesus is His Son. So there should be no doubt in the fact that JESUS is the Son of God. He looks like a son of man but actually he is the Son of God, even though he was to suffer and die. Jesus shares all the power, authority and characters of God as His son.
2. Whom I love. Jesus was going to suffer and die. How can the son of God do that? Does God allow such thing happen to his own son! Does God love Jesus, yet let this suffering and death come to him? God is saying that even if all these come to him, it is His will and His love has never faded. More positively this is the reason for God’s endearing love for His son. 
3. With him I am well pleased.  What Jesus was about to do is to suffer and die. Is this plan still in line with God’s plan or God’s will? Yes, that is God’s will. So God is pleased with Jesus’ plan to suffer and to die!

We discussed these three questions looming in the hearts of Jesus’ disciples. God is answering to the lingering doubts of the disciples, positively and forcefully!  Many raise such question; Is Jesus the Son of God Almighty?. Is Jesus the way of life for all human being? Is Jesus the way of life for me?

All these are answered by God himself! Yes it is all God’s plan that Jesus was to suffer and die, and then to resurrect. So Jesus’ plan in suffering and death cannot make the proof of being not the Son of God. Rather God strongly attests to the fact that Jesus is the Son of God all the more so because Jesus was going to suffer and die.

Despite of God’s repeated affirmation that Jesus is truly His only Son, when we are about to accept Jesus’ suffering and death as our way, one thing always stand tall in our way; the power of death! It is a formidable enemy and impossible to overcome. Like Peter, we like to enter the glory right way without passing through the door of suffering and death. How wonderful it is if Jesus brings his kingdom right way and his disciples enjoy Jesus’ rule immediately! What is God’s wisdom in this? To this God said to Peter directly and more positively!

4. Listen to him. The moment Jesus disclosed his plan to suffer and die and then to resurrect, Peter opposed strongly. Not just Peter, I believe, all the rest of the disciples shared the same concern with Peter. Suffering and death should never be a part of the Messiah or the Son of God. So their trust waned substantially. A doubt crept into their hearts and fear and uncertainty overwhelmed their minds. But here God says unambiguously and unequivocally ‘He is my son, listen to him’ Though what Jesus was about to go is hard to swallow or accept or reason even with the best of their own wisdom and knowledge, they must listen to Jesus. And then they will see and participate in his kingdom of glory, the place of utmost joy and peace. Thousands of voice is speaking against. But one voice is speaking louder than all. Listen to Jesus, the Son of God. Pay attention to what he is saying and follow him! And then, or only then, Peter can participate in the glory of his kingdom for good!

What does this tell us about God’s understanding of his disciples? Why was it necessary for God, personally appearing in his glory and speaking to them in His own words in order to tell them ‘listen to him’?  Jesus knew and God knew the finite nature of sinful men. No men can cross the boundary of death by his or her own ability. It is necessary for any men to see God’s power and God’s vision to be able to cross the valley of death..

Read 6-8.  

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.

This was a terrifying moment that they could never forget! God in his mighty power and glory overshadowed them and spoke to them directly. Awesome glory and power overwhelmed them. When Peter was just about expressing his last word of ecstatic and electrifying joy, God’s presence and his power words shocked Peter.  When God Almighty comes and say something personally, then it must be remembered and should never be forgotten!  Did he? If he did, what impressed him most?

 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18 (NIV)

As Peter remembered, the two things remained in Peter’s mind like an image etched in stone. They were the power of Jesus and glory of Jesus’ kingdom, affirmed by God almighty.  Can you see and feel the power of Jesus?  Can you see the glory of God and his kingdom? Peter saw and knew and felt so deeply. This helped him to pass through the death of Jesus and came back to encourage other disciples.

Decision backed by Human zeal, passion, knowledge and convictions are powerless in confronting the power of death. But the hope and faith in Jesus’ power and God’s glory gives us strength to go beyond the power of death.  Then why did the disciples think that suffering of Jesus was unnecessary? What kind of idea did they have about coming of the kingdom? Their thought is betrayed in their question.  

2. Elijah has already come [9-13]

This part is overall review of the disciples’ experience with Jesus. Jesus instructed them one thing and the disciples asked one question. Each of these two reveals concerns of each, Jesus and his disciples. First Jesus instructed something important in his perspective.

V9 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."

When Jesus said this, I believe, he meant even his fellow disciples. This is a very disturbing in human perspective. If they know what these three saw, then they might be more convinced and more accommodating to Jesus’ plan for his suffering and death. But Jesus even did not allow this. Why?

I like to remind of the word Jesus said before showing the transfiguration. In v 16:28

28 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

For the three, Jesus made exception to the principle of life. That principle is that one must taste the death and then be able to see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.

This is the truth of God for all human races. Death must be tasted first and then he is able to see the coming of Jesus’ kingdom. So many have wished and tried to see this kingdom before tasting the death. Such mindset was in Peter and the rest of the disciples. Actually such desire is in all of us. No one wants to taste or be part of such pain and sorrow of death. But as long as one wants to participate in Jesus’ glorious kingdom, he must taste the death. No other way!

Then, what does it mean that one taste the death?

1. Actually death must come first and then we will see and participate in Jesus’ kingdom. This is ordained by God when men sinned against God. God said when you eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, you shall surely die. This death has to come upon us all. This is the due course for all human races. For us the death is the death in Jesus, whereby we can join in his glory.  Though, there are very few exceptions. 
2. Figuratively it is knowing Jesus and his death. In Rom 6. Paul describes it in this way. ;
   3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Romans 6:3-7 (NIV)
   Jesus’ disciples loved Jesus but when they watched Jesus being crucified and died on the cross they died along with Jesus. Their passion, their pride , their hopes and dreams. Literally all of them died as Jesus died on the cross. The death overwhelmed them so much they locked themselves in a house, shutting the door tightly behind them. After this, the risen Jesus came to them and gave them the word of peace; peace be with you!

As we have reviewed, normal course of coming of the kingdom is death first. So here Jesus told them not to tell anyone until the Son of man has been raised from the dead. Simply all must taste the death first and then they are to see the glory of Jesus.  The Death must come to them first because of their sins in unbelief and rebellion. So, death will play a vital role in redeeming and bringing changes of lives. Otherwise there will be no power to redeem their sins.  Only then, to those who chose to repent and belief Jesus’ kingdom will come.  

Jesus must redeem them by his suffering and death. This is the driving force and compelling reason for Jesus to go suffering. As we have seen even in this warning, in Jesus’ mind redeeming the sins of Israel was the utmost importance. Sin must be paid off! It cannot be bypassed!

Then what was the concern of the disciples? 

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."

The next is the disciple’s question. The three disciples were pretty certain that they will see the glory of Jesus in forth coming days no matter what happens to Jesus. This is a remarkable progress in their faith. But there is one lingering question. It is said and believed by the leaders of the nation that Elijah will come to restore everything and then the Messiah will come. This is already accepted truth. So, if Jesus is the Messiah, then Elijah should have preceded him. Then who is Elijah? Elijah has not come, then how can Jesus be the Messiah? Elijah in the vision has any connection to this question??

I will pursue to answer this question in three steps

1.    Elijah is followed by the suffering Messiah—the sequence of events

2.    The purpose of coming of Elijah: the main issue surrounding Elijah

3.    Historical and theological necessity of Jesus suffering and death in view of Elijah

1. Elijah and then Messiah

Isaiah 42-53 is the section on coming of suffering Messiah. Just before this is a description on coming of one calling in the desert. It is about John the Baptist. So ch 40 is about John the Baptist-‘an Elijah’ and then suffering servant section comes[ch. 52-53] Here Elijah is followed by suffering servant. In this context Jesus talked to his disciples about coming of Elijah [Matt 11:4; Mark 9:12; Matt 17:12]

The same sequence is found in Malachi as well. Mal 3:1a describes about a messenger coming before the Lord. This is followed by coming of the Lord [3:1b-5] Later in Ch 4:5-6, Elijah will appear just before the dreadful day of the Lord. This is about the second coming of the Lord. So this does not apply to the contemporary of the disciples.

So Jesus makes this clear by saying that Elijah was John the Baptist. John is followed by the Messiah Jesus.

2. Elijah’s main function

Why then they were so much concern about Elijah’s coming? Who is Elijah in the minds of Israel in the first century? It is well expressed in Luke 1:17.  And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous-- to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." This is the quotation of Isaiah 40.

 His major role is to turn the hearts of people to God.  Simply Elijah’s role is bringing repentance of Israel. After this repentance, the Messiah will come to restore the kingdom. So this is the sequence of events: repentance of the nation brought up by Elijah and then restoration of kingdom by Messiah. This is the idea well entrenched among common people as well as among the leaders.

Against such idea, Jesus asked a penetrating question in Mark 9:12
Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?

Jesus’ question is that if Elijah, as many believed, is to restore all things and as a result, the only thing that Messiah has to do is to establish the glorious kingdom, then why did Isaiah said that the coming Messiah must suffer? Jesus is clearly referring to the sequence of events in Isaiah 40 -53.

3. Historical and theological necessity of Jesus suffering and death in view of Elijah

What can we conclude then? Why is this a serious issue? As we went over, the sequence of events is this: repentance and restoration of the kingdom; there is no redemption at all before the restoration of the kingdom.

This idea is fetched from biblical knowledge. It is not God’s truth. But it is tainted by humanism and is deeply rooted in human righteousness. When I said it is humanism, it means that and it denies God’s holiness that demands payment of sin, death. Men’s repentance is sufficient enough that God must accept them. When I say it is human righteousness, it is based on human goodness to be holy and righteous. This has failed utterly in the history of Israel! No matter how much God help them to do what is good in God’s eyes, they could not!

Even now this is basic instinct or understanding of all human being. Post modern mind is well in line with this idea. If one does good, then he must be eligible to enter the kingdom of God. God must accept such person. If not, it is God’s problem.

Is repentance good enough for them to enter the kingdom of God? Is repentance of Israel possible? The answer is resounding no! Isaiah said no. Malachi says no. Jesus says that he must suffer and die to rise again. God in his mighty glory says ‘Listen to Jesus’.

What does this tell us? Again, unless Jesus suffers and dies to redeem the sins of people, there will be no kingdom and the people have no chance to enter the kingdom of God.

After all Jesus is the Way of LIFE. This life is through suffering, death and resurrection! The glory of Jesus attests this positively and assuredly.

So what should do? We have to listen to Jesus and follow him through his suffering, death and then to the resurrection.