JESUS TRANSFIGURED ON THE MOUNTAIN, Dr. Samuel Lee
THE TRANSFIGURATION
Passage: Matthew 17:1~13  
Key verse: 7
The Transfiguration(A)(B)
17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John(C) the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4 Peter 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.”
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.(D) Listen to him!”(E)
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”(F) 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone(G) what you have seen, until the Son of Man(H) has been raised from the dead.”(I)
10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.(J) 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come,(K) and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished.(L) In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer(M) at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.(N)
Cross references
- Matthew 17:1 : 17:1-8pp — Lk 9:28-36
- Matthew 17:1 : 17:1-13pp — Mk 9:2-13
- Matthew 17:1 : S Mt 4:21
- Matthew 17:5 : S Mt 3:17
- Matthew 17:5 : Ac 3:22, 23
- Matthew 17:7 : S Mt 14:27
- Matthew 17:9 : S Mk 8:30
- Matthew 17:9 : S Mt 8:20
- Matthew 17:9 : S Mt 16:21
- Matthew 17:11 : Mal 4:6; Lk 1:16, 17
- Matthew 17:12 : S Mt 11:14
- Matthew 17:12 : Mt 14:3, 10
- Matthew 17:12 : S Mt 16:21
- Matthew 17:13 : S Mt 3:1
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
To a casual observer there was nothing in Jesus’ likeness that might cause someone to be impressed. Rather, there was a lot that happened to Jesus that could make us grieve. In order to get a full picture, we should also have a glimpse of Jesus’ glory and his acceptance by God his Father. In the midst of all Jesus went through, his true glory and the love and acceptance of God more than sustained him.
Suffering can be unbearable without knowing the bigger picture. We can feel drowning in whatever trouble we are in, but if we trust in God and in his word of hope, we may find that suffering is not the whole story. It is temporary, and even meaningful in the fullness of one’s life.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see the glory of Jesus in the midst of my own suffering. Help me to hear your word and remember your love for me when I am struggling. Give me strength to go through today, in the assurance of your love and power.
One Word: Don’t be afraid