The Transfiguration

Savior and Teacher-A Study of Matthew - Part 5
Rev David Bisgrove
11 March 2012

Matthew 17:1-23
1After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.  2There he was transfigured before them.  His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.  3Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

4Peter 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."

5While 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!"

6When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.  7But Jesus came and touched them.  "Get up," he said.  "Don't be afraid."  8When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't thell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

10The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?"

11Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.  12But 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."  13Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

GLIMPSE
--Who is Jesus? the Son of God.
--You have to lose your own material life to find HIM.
--Moses's face reflected the radiance of Jesus--There was a greater healing in beholding HIS splendor than in beholding our own.
--Have I domesticated Jesus for my own needs?  He should wow and awe me.
--Following Jesus is the ball game.
--It's not an option to "kind of" follow him

GAP
--Terrified response when glimpsing the true nature of Jesu--because I realize that I can never live up to HIM.
--Gap widens as we glorify things above Jesus.

TOUCH
--Jeusus alone can bridger the gap.
--Presence of God points the way back to God.
--Listen to Jesus and experience it!
--God's word is life--so pay attention!
--Help to touch other people's lives too--Help them experience Jesus by showing your generosity.

FOLLOWING AND KNOWING JESUS IS A LIFE LONG PROCESS.