Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 17:1-13.
Just as He had promised, Jesus begins to show His disciples the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. He takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain where He was transfigured before them. Just as the LORD had so often appeared to His people on a mountain in the Old Testament, so now He reveals Himself on a mountain in the New Testament. Jesus’ transfiguration reveals that He is truly God, of the same substance as the Father. Everything that Jesus does–His birth, death, resurrection, ascension, and return–He does as true God and true man. Even if we cannot comprehend this truth, we confess it. In well-intentioned misunderstanding, Peter interrupts the conversation Jesus was having with His prophets. The Father’s voice quickly interrupts Peter to point out the importance of listening to Jesus. The three disciples’ terror is only alleviated by Jesus’ human touch and the sight of Jesus only, the One who will die for their sins. Now is not the time for them to tell, but that time will come. Elijah has already come in the person of John the Baptist, and though the scribes did not recognize him, the rejection he faced is a picture of the death that Jesus is about to accomplish in Jerusalem for the salvation of sinners.
“All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.
Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.
Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.
Matthew 17:1-13
The Transfiguration
17 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son,[a] with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
Footnotes:
- Matthew 17:5 Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
