Matthew 17:1-8
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.
The church of the Transfiguration on top of Mount Tabor
"When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus."
The Transfiguration is a pivotal point in Jesus' earthly ministry for both Him and His disciples. Last week we addressed why the Transfiguration, and this week we look at what happened at the Transfiguration.
On a high mountain, in the presence of Peter, James and his brother John, we are invited to concentrate on the successive moments taking place while Jesus transfigured. "His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light" Matthew 17:2. "Light from Light, True God from True God," we remember the Nicene Creed.
V. 3, "Suddenly there appeared before them Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus." These are the two who spoke with God on Mount Horeb. One received the Ten Commandments and died 1,200 years ago. The other defeated the false gods and restored the right faith to Israel. He is the same prophet who was lifted up to heaven alive, and promised to come back to prepare for the great day. One dead and the other alive, joining them and talking with Jesus.
The transfigured Jesus is Lord of the living and the dead.
V 5. "A bright cloud covered him." This is the sign of His divinity because the cloud represented God's Presence in the Old Testament. "A voice from the cloud said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!'" This is the same voice the disciples and a big crowd heard when Jesus was baptized. But here, the voice added the last words, "Listen to him!" There is no reason to doubt or refuse what He teaches and announces, sufferings included.
At this scene "the disciples fell facedown and were terrified, "
v. 6. They are used to seeing Jesus in His humanity, but to see Him in His glory is terrifying indeed. This is why Jesus brought them on a high mountain - to reconfirm their faith, to listen to Him and to continue the way with Him, even if they will experience more doubt and stumble more in the future.
Jesus touched them "Get up and do not be afraid" He said in v. 7. Jesus keeps fortifying the disciples by saying, "Don't be afraid," reminding us of calming the storm. When Peter was about to sink walking on the water, Jesus asked "Why did you doubt?"
v.8. "When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus"
When they looked up out of their doubts, hesitations, sufferings and fear, they saw no one except Jesus. This is the same Jesus whom they have recognized as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, who announced His Passion in Jerusalem.
Jesus seems to say thank you to Moses and Elijah. He delivers the continuity of God's love, redemption and salvation to the disciples as witness to the New Testament. He will send them forth to preach till the end of the world.
What does the Transfiguration mean for us today?
The Lord understands our hesitations, our doubts and many times our refusal to follow Him. He maintains His love for us because He cannot deny Himself. He suffers with us and because of our sufferings. He will not forsake us and, when we lift up our eyes to heaven, we will discover that He is with us.
We are entrusted with His New Testament and we are called to witness for Him wherever we are. Let us lift up our eyes, hearts and minds to see no one except Jesus.