Read the Book: July - SeptemberSample

Week 30

Matthew 17

Listen to Him

The transfiguration of Jesus is one of my absolute favorite stories in the Bible. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain–you know, just four friends on a hike. Then, before their eyes, Jesus was completely transformed—his inmost glory on display. They were getting a glimpse of Jesus in His glory, the glory He had before He became man, and the glory He would return to. How overwhelming to witness!

I love to imagine that moment and the awe the disciples must have felt. Jesus became so brilliantly bright in appearance that, like the sun, He was difficult to look at. And not only that, who should appear talking with Jesus but Elijah and Moses—who had been dead for a very long time. Just one chapter before, Peter had proclaimed Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God (v. 16:16).” But now the disciples stood completely in shock, so much so that Peter started rambling. I get it—I ramble when I’m nervous, too. But in Peter’s exuberance to make sense of the magnificent scene before them, he offered to pitch three tents. 

I understand what Peter was trying to do—make the guests comfortable. But we know from Luke 9:31 that Jesus, Elijah, and Moses were discussing the impending greatest moments in history: the future death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. Peter was a little off base with his suggestion of setting up three tents or “shrines,” mainly because he was putting the deity of Christ equal with the prophets of old. At this moment, God, in His Shekinah glory, appeared as a holy cloud and interrupted Peter in verse 5: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” It literally put the disciples flat on their faces.

In His interruption of Peter, God made it completely clear that Jesus is His Son, unique and beloved. He directed Peter and his friends back to the main point: listen to Him. Listen to the living Word of God. Everything in His Word points us to Jesus.

Family Connection: There are lots of different seeds. There are sunflower seeds, apple seeds, and acorns. One of the smallest seeds are mustard seeds. When Jesus was asked how to do the amazing things that He did he told them that if you have faith the size of a mustard seed you can move mountains. What is faith? Faith is believing in something that we cannot see. How can we have more faith every day even though we can’t see God?