Matthew 17:1-9
I wonder how much in our heart of hearts, we are still cheering for Jesus as the triumphant Victor, and still longing for a Messiah, when God has already given us all that God has to give: the Beloved?
Year A
Epiphany
Transfiguration Sunday
Last Sunday of the Season of Epiphany
The Sunday Before Ash Wednesday
May be as early as February 1 or as late as March 7 Inclusive
OR
Year A
Lent 2,
Alternative Reading B
Read the passage at the bottom of this post: Matthew 17:1-9, The Message or Matthew 17:1-9, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
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This passage requires reading the First Testament passages about the prophet Elijah, 2 Kings 2:1-12, and Moses' encounters with God on Mt. Sinai, Exodus 24:12-18 and 34:29-30.
Verse 1. "Six days later" means 6 days after first telling his disciples (in the preceding verses at the end of Chapter 16) that he must go to Jerusalem and be crucified. Eugene Peterson in his Bible translation, The Message, makes an interesting connection between the last verse of that passage in Chapter 16 and the first verse of this one which begins Chapter 17:
Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.
Matthew 16:28, NRSV
Six days later, three of them saw that glory.
Matthew 17:1, The Message
Jesus selects Peter, James, and John to accompany him. He leads them up a high mountain. Although unnamed and unstated, a "high mountain" is a "thin place," a place that is close to the spiritual realm, a place for sacred encounters.
As I am fond of saying, when reading the Bible do NOT get distracted by the special effects. Do not try to explain them - or explain them away. Do not diminish the reality of what happened / what the disciples experienced by saying, "Oh well, that was then, and now we have modern science and don't believe in such things." We have modern science and yet here we are in church still talking about God - a reality that classic modern science totally rejects.
Like special effects in movies, the special effects in the Bible testify to a simple truth:
There is more to be known about what is really real than the eye can see.
If you don't believe that try telling someone you love what is lovely about them by only telling them what your eyes can see.
So instead of focusing on the special effects, focus instead on the relationships: Who is present? Who are they? What is their history? Who do they represent or stand for? What do people say to and do with each other?
Elijah and Moses represent the Prophets and the Law. Their talking with Jesus would signify the high spiritual status of Jesus.
Because Elijah was lifted up into the heavens before his physical death, he is still looked to by Jews today as a fore-runner of the Messiah.
(An interesting experience that Elijah, Moses and Jesus share is their 40 day fast: Exodus 34:28, 1 Kings 19:8, and Matthew 4:2)
Why does Peter offer to build three dwelling places? Frankly, I have not found a plausible historical suggestion for this.
The title, "my Son, the Beloved," was earlier heard by Jesus at his baptism as a voice coming from heaven while he was praying. (Matthew 3:17)
It is now confirmed to Peter, James and John by a voice coming from a cloud. They are also instructed to "Listen to him," which suggests that Jesus is of higher status than Elijah and Moses.
The voice from the cloud would be understood to be the direct voice of God speaking. Just as in Luke 5:8, where Peter falls down and urges Jesus to "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man," so too here the disciples are deeply aware of their mortal unworthiness to be so much as even hearing God's own voice. Thus they fall to the ground - as an act of humility; and are afraid - because they are unworthy to be in the presence of One so much more exalted than they.
The action of physically touching the disciples re-affirms Jesus' bond with them, his words, "Do not be afraid," assures them that because of his bond with them they are worthy to be in the presence of God. This also brings the mystical experience to a close.
See the latter part of my Introduction to John for an explanation of why Peter, James and John told no one about what they had seen until after Jesus' resurrection.
The Transfiguration is an apt Preface to Lent and Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, because what lies ahead is a confrontation between the non-violent way of the Beloved versus the hoped-for victory by the Messiah. The crowds at Jerusalem will be cheering for "the one who is bringing the Kingdom of our ancestor David." This is not the same as welcoming God's Beloved.
I wonder how much in our heart of hearts, we are still cheering for Jesus as the triumphant Victor, and still longing for a Messiah, when God has already given us all that God has to give: the Beloved?
David Ewart,
holytextures.com,
Free, short, easy to use, faith inspiring explanations of the meaning of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John for your sermon, homily, bible study, or reflection.
Note: Historical background information in this post is drawn primarily from Bruce Malina and Richard Rohrbaugh, Social-Science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels, page 89; and the writings of Amy-Jill Levine, et. al.
Matthew 17:1-9 (NRSV)
1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John 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 dazzling white. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid."
8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.".
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Matthew 17:1-9 (The Message)
1 Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. 2 His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. 3 Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.
4 Peter broke in, "Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?"
5 While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: "This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him."
6 When the disciples heard it, they fell flat on their faces, scared to death. 7 But Jesus came over and touched them. "Don't be afraid." 8 When they opened their eyes and looked around all they saw was Jesus, only Jesus.
9 Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy. "Don't breathe a word of what you've seen. After the Son of Man is raised from the dead, you are free to talk.".
Scripture quotations from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.