Witnessed By Disciples

Witnessed By Disciples
Matt 17:1-12
Feb. 21, 2010

As Matthew begins 17:1 it seems he is carefully drawing a connection between Jesus promise in 16:27-28 and the event that immediately follows, 17:1-8. Mark agrees with the 6 days Mark 9:2, but Luke seems to be counting the days from Peter’s confession Matt 16:16 to the end of Christ Transfiguration and it was about 8 days Luke 9:28. Note: Peter, James and John who was closet to Christ are called Christ inner circle. These are the 3 disciples Christ allowed to experience more of Himself Consider Matt 26:36-46 and John 20:1-10.

Matthew 17:2

Now according to Luke 9:28-29 as Christ was praying His face and clothing took on a different appearance and Peter, James and John were allowed to see a preview of Christ future Glorious Exaltation v2 which Christ spoke of Matt 16:27-28. Christ True Glory which was veiled by His human body of flesh, Consider Heb.10:5, was revealed to Peter, James and John for a few minutes. And the description of His Glory given in Matt.17:2 is a fore taste of His Glory in The New Heaven and New Earth, which is why although there would be no need for the sun or moon to shine in The New Heaven and New Earth, there would never be no darkness there, because The Light and Glory of Christ Shall be radiating all over The New Heaven and New Earth, Rev 21:22-23. John describes The Glory of Christ this way, Read John 1:14. Peter, James and John would get a sight of His Divine Glory as did Paul in the 3rd Heaven 2ndCor 12:1-10, and a sight of The Glory of Christ in this world gets us prepared for our suffering with Christ, and our suffering with Christ in this world prepares us for the glory Christ shall share with us in the other world, Heb.11:13-16-1stPet 4:13. In this world Christ took on the form of a servant and veiled His Glory in His fleshly human body, but in His Transfiguration Christ confirms that He is The God- man in The form of God Phil 2:6, and He declares that Great Truth that God is Light John 1:5, dwells in the Light 1stTim 6:16 and covers Himself with Light Psalm 104:2.

Matthew 17:3

Now v3 appears Moses and Elias in their glorified bodies. These are the two greatest prophets in the Old Testament. Moses represents the law the old covenant and he wrote the Pentateuch the 1st 5 books of the Old Testament and Moses predicted the coming of a great prophet Deut 18:15-19. Elijah who represents the prophets fore told the coming of The Messiah Malachi 4:5-6. Moses and Elijah’s presence with Christ confirms Christ Jesus Messianic mission to fulfill God’s Law and the words of God’s prophets. And according to the description given in Rev 11:3-12, Moses and Elijah may be the two witnesses of God in the Great Tribulation. This scene at Christ Transfiguration was a lively resemblance of Christ’s kingdom, which is made up of saints in Heaven and saints on earth. Now Moses and Elijah who both foretold of Christ death were seen by Peter, James and John talking with Christ and according to Luke 9:30-31 they were discussing Christ death. Now like Christ, Moses and Elijah had both fasted 40 days and 40 nights, and did miracles. And both of them were very distinguished in living in this world and leaving this world, Elijah who did not die was carried to Heaven in a fiery chariot, 2ndKings 2:11 and the body of Moses was never found, Deut.34:5-6. Now somehow as Peter, James and John heard them talking they knew them to be Moses and Elijah. This confirms that glorified saints shall know one another in Heaven. And the fact that Moses and Elijah lived 700 years apart in this world and Peter, James and John on this side of eternity recognized Moses and Elijah also confirms that we glorified saints shall know and communicate w/each other including the saints in The Bible we believers study about today.

Matthew 17:4

Because the disciples were so excited about this event Peter says v4, and this statement expresses thanksgiving to Christ for allowing them to be there w/Christ in this glorious event, for Christ did not have to bring them w/Him. And it is good to be w/Christ whether in earth or Heaven, but even more so in Heaven that we may behold The Beauty of The Lord The Lamb Psalm 27:4. Us who behold The beauty of The Lord in His House cannot help but desire to dwell there in His House all the days of our life. Now v5 that Glorious Testimony of Christ Father from Heaven, and the fact that Christ is God’s Son confirms Christ Deity as being God Himself which is why Christ must be honored as God The Father is Honored John 5:23.

Matthew 17:5-7

God speaking in v5 also makes it clear that Moses and Elijah are not on the same level as Christ. V5 Also emphasize Heb.1:1-2 and this is the best news that has ever come from Heaven, that God was in Christ reconciling sinful man unto Himself 2ndCor 5:19. The announcement from God in v5 was made at His baptism as Christ was entering into temptation Matt 3:16-17 and 4:1-11 and His public ministry. Here in Matt 17:5 Christ was about to enter into His suffering. This scene cause great fear to come upon Peter, James and John and v6, and this should be a common response to the realization that The Holy God of the universe is present, Isa 6:5 and Rev 1:17, and should cause us to worship Him. V7 Jesus comforts them giving them reassurance that they had no need to fear. Christ had often told them about His Father, but now they heard His voice and their reaction was not uncommon. From the time that Adam sinned in The Garden of Eden, extra ordinary appearances of God have been terribly frightening to man. But as Christ assures them they have no need to fear He does the same for us. Its not unusual for us to become afraid when we are suddenly faced with certain circumstances, late night phone calls of bad news, doctors report that confirms a serious problem that grips our hearts with fear. These realities of life are in escapable and come without notice. But like Peter, James and John who knew Christ and was comforted when He touched them, those of us who spend time in prayer, study and meditation of His Word will also be comforted by Christ as He touches us thru His Word in our times of trials and tribulations.

Matthew 17:8-9

Now v8 Christ remains, unlike God’s Pastors and Preachers, Christ shall always be with us Heb 13:5 and He never changes Heb 13:8. Peter, James and John, like us were blessed and favored with special manifestations of God’s Divine Grace with glimpses’ of future glory, Consider Heb 11:13-16. Jesus told Peter, James and John v9b, because Christ knew they did not fully understand it and could not explain it. Had they said anything, to much attention would have been given to them instead of Christ, and those who did not see Christ Transfigured would not understand either. The leaders of Israel had rejected Christ as Messiah and Christ did not want to promote Himself. And those who believed Christ was The Promised Messiah would again try to make Him King if they had heard of His Transfiguration, and Messianic expectations would have been the focus, instead of the Salvation He came to provide thru His suffering.

Matthew 17:10-13

Another thing they could not understand is what they heard from the scribes v10 that Elijah must come before Messiah, which is why the religious leaders had rejected Christ, because Elijah who had not died 2nd King 2:11 had not yet appeared as far as they knew, but now that Peter, James and John had seen Elijah at Christ Transfiguration they could not understand how all this would fit into all Christ taught them. Now Christ explains v11 and 12 that Elijah would come and that v12 he had already come as prophesied Mal.4:5-6 and Lu 1:17, but the Jewish leaders did not recognize John the Baptist who came in the spirit and power of Elijah Luke 1:17. And just as the Jewish leaders had John the Baptist killed Christ would suffer in the same manner. Now  v13. And as Christ suffered so shall we John 15:17-21. For Christ not only gave a manifestation of His Glory to His disciples of that day but also to all believers today Heb.11:13-16.

In Jesus Name Amen