The Glory of Christ

Cody Hale

Matthew • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

Matthew 17:1–13

Glory

Transfiguration

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Introduction

So much of growing up is watching your parents, isn’t it? We have a baby in our house, and I can attest to the fact that we come into this world not knowing how to do very much. And, the way that we learn is by watching what our parents do. And so, over time, against our will and emphatic statements, we can begin to see how we kind of transform into our parents. Now, from the parent perspective, what’s scary is that we quickly learn that our children don’t just adopt the good things from us; they also take to the bad things, don’t they? It’s amazing how bad some of our words or phrases sound coming out of the precious lips of our children. Or, when you see them get frustrated with something and slam it on to the ground.

Here’s what we learn: We become like what we behold. That is, whatever or whoever it is that we devote our time and attention to, slowly we begin to look like them and act like them and talk like them. And here’s what I want you to see this morning: So much of the Christian life boils down to gazing upon Jesus. says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” So, Paul is saying this: Gaze upon Jesus. Look deeply at Christ. Stare at him, and don’t look away. And, beholding him you will gradually find yourself transformed into his image and his character. This morning, I really want to spend our time gazing upon Christ so that we might be encouraged and transformed.

What we

God’s Word

Read

The Beginning of Fulfillment

“some standing here will not taste death until they see the Son of Man in his kingdom” I want to start this morning by going back to the enigmatic final two verses of chapter 16. These seem to be mysterious verses and have caused many Christians to leave quite perplexed as to what to think. So, I’m going to try to explain how I think all of this works together. Let’s read them together. Read . So, here’s what it says. It says that some, not all, of Jesus’ disciples are going to behold Jesus coming into his kingdom in the glory of his Father before they even die. And, of course, what makes this confusing is that it sounds to us like Jesus is telling his disciples that they will still be alive when He returns to collect his church, and all of us know that we are still awaiting the second coming of Christ today. Many liberal scholars have pointed to this passage and said, “See. Jesus wasn’t inerrant or infallible. Jesus was even way off on his timing.” And, then for Christians who take their Bibles very seriously, it causes tension in their hearts as they wonder: “Is it possible that Jesus got this wrong? Is it possible that the second coming has already happened? Maybe, I should just watch the History channel.”

Unveiled Glory

“And he was transfigured” Throughout the Bible, we often find prophetic passages that read as though they will be fulfilled all at once, when in fact, they are to be fulfilled over the course of time. That is, they are incrementally, or progressively, fulfilled over a period time, and sometimes a very substantial period of time. is an example of this. It’s the famous “For unto us a child is born” passage. And, it’s interesting because we know that it will be fulfilled over the course of at least three different events. The birth of Cyrus, who was a king that God used to deliver his people, the birth of Jesus who was the child born as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, and the return of Jesus when He will establish and uphold the throne of David forevermore. And, I think that applies to our passage today. All three gospel writers who give us an account of the Transfiguration link immediately to the statement that Jesus has just made about seeing him in the glory of Father before they die. And so, I think we are seeing the beginning of fulfillment. Today, they will behold Jesus in his unveiled glory and only a short time later they will behold him after the resurrection establishing his Kingdom, both of which are a foretaste of the final and ultimate consummation of Jesus returning in his glory to establish the New Heaven and the New Earth.

Unveiled Glory

“And he was transfigured” The scene on this day is a remarkable one, isn’t it? This day in which Jesus gives three of his disciples a glimpse of his glory. I think it’s important for us to think for a second as to why Jesus had to do this. Our text uses the word ‘transfigured’ to describe what happens to Jesus on the mountain. ‘Transfigured’ means that he changed forms. The actual word that used here is the word ‘metamorphosis’, which we often use to describe the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. It’s the transformation of something from one form to another. And so, the Bible says that on the mountain that day that Jesus changed forms so his disciples might behold him in some degree of his glory. Jesus had to reveal his glory to his disciples because it was veiled by his human flesh. We have to be patient with the disciples. They are following a man who sleeps like they sleep and gets sick like they get sick and requires food and water the same way that they require food and water. He seems powerless politically and friendless in his own hometown. His own family often seems skeptical of him. In other words, as extraordinary a man as Jesus is, it’s still hard to believe that He could be God. God doesn’t sleep and God doesn’t thirst and God isn’t homeless.

But, Jesus’ flesh was only a veil. On the mountain that day, Peter, James, and John glimpsed Jesus in a form that made clear his true identity. The disciples were seeing Jesus as the Father had always seen him -- as He truly is. You can almost hear in Matthew’s attempt to write out what was seen how there were no words that were adequate. He says that it appeared as though Jesus wore light for clothes. The purity of his righteousness and the potency of his majesty was so spectacularly white that it was every color in the universe being completely manifested in him so that he glowed with glory. The brightest light that a human has ever known is the light of the sun, and this is what the evangelist uses to describe the face of Jesus. His glory was so bright and so overcoming that it would have been impossible for them to look directly at it, just as it is the sun.

A Foretaste of Future Glory

But, the transfiguration is but a foretaste of the glory that lies ahead for the risen Christ. () In the New Heaven and the New Earth there will be no moon, and there will be no sun, for you could not see them even if they were there. The glory of God is so bright that it bleaches out the sun. The glory of God will shine as the lamp that eliminates every corner of darkness in the cosmos so that wherever you look and whatever you behold the very glory of God will be reflected in spectacular form. And, it was but a fraction of this, a foretaste of the days to come that they were beholding that day.

Jesus’ Majesty Will Get You Through

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

APPLICATION: Oh, how this day would get them through the hard days ahead! In , Peter writes: “16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.” This is what got them through the days of their persecution! This is what got them through the days when they felt like they were wasting their time with people! Jesus had shown them his majesty, and they knew that His mission was worth it! And, this is what will get you through the hard days too! Jesus has proven himself as God and shown himself as glorious. On your hard days, remember his majesty! Remember his glory! It’s going to be fully revealed, just hold on a little longer, Christian!

More Glorious than Moses and Elijah

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

“there appeared to them Moses and Elijah” As Jesus is transfigured, Matthew tells us that some remarkable guests make an appearance. Two of the greatest figures of the OT, Moses and Elijah, appear in a conversation with Jesus that Luke tells us is about Jesus’ upcoming crucifixion. I think there are two primary reasons that these two great OT figures make an appearance on the mountain that day. First, they are there to minister to Jesus and to give him words of encouragement and preparation for the cross that’s coming. We are certain exactly what they are saying, but in speaking of his departure, they most certainly are being used by the Father to the encouragement of his Son.

Greater Than Moses, Greater Than Elijah

The other purpose of Moses and Elijah is to further reveal the glory of Jesus. They are bearing witness to Jesus’ disciples that day that this is the Messiah of the Bible, this is the promised one of Israel. In fact, they are bearing witness to the fact that Jesus is greater than they are. Peter missed this. Notice that when Peter offers to build tents for each of them as though they are all on equal ground and all on equal footing. Every scholar that I have read said that it is apparent to all that Peter is putting them on equal standing, causing the Father himself to interrupt him as Peter speaks. But, they were not there as a sign of equality to Jesus but to show themselves as being far less than Jesus.

The Greater Moses

Moses was the great law giver of Israel. It was Moses that had went up on a mountain very similar to this one and upon which the cloud of God’s glory also descended. The Bible says that the glory of the Lord burned as though the entire mountain were on fire. And, when Moses descended the mountain to talk with the people of Israel, the Bible says that his face so shined with the glory of God that it glowed and that he had to wear a veil over his face. Oh, but Jesus' glory is far greater! For Jesus is not merely reflecting the glory of God as Moses was. No, for Jesus, the glory of God flows from his very essence, for He is God himself. The was not an external glory coming to him; This was internal glory bubbling to the surface. It was not a temporary shine as it was with Moses, but an eternal torch of holiness that will never dim. Jesus was the greater Moses that Moses himself had said would come. He was not only a law giver, but the great Law-fulfiller so that each of us could have the Law perfectly met on our behalf. Jesus will lead his people on a Greater Exodus not from Egypt, from sin and hell; not to a promised land that bears sin’s curse but to glory where tears do not exist! Is He not glorious? Is He not a Greater Moses?

The Greater Elijah

Elijah was the first of the great prophets. Like Jesus this day and Moses before him, he, too, went upon a mountain as God’s representative. Surrounded by hundreds of false prophets who set out to prove that the Israel’s God wasn’t in control. In a short, pointed prayer, Elijah called down the fire of heaven to consume his sacrifice and to slay the false prophets. Oh, but Jesus is a far greater Elijah! Jesus is a far greater prophet! Jesus is the Prophet that speaks not FOR God, but AS God! He is both the sacrifice on the altar and the fire from heaven that consumes it! He vindicates his name, delivers his people, and slays his enemies. Jesus is the greater Elijah!

The More Glorious Death

Part of what sets Moses and Elijah apart in Jewish history is their deaths. Moses, Elijah, and Enoch are known in Jewish history as the three men that didn't die. Deuteronomy tells us that God himself laid Moses to rest and no person ever saw his grave, and Jewish tradition holds that Moses was taken straight to heaven by God himself. Elijah was ushered out of earth on a chariot of fire. And, they were always expected to make an appearance at the coming of the Messiah. Jesus' death will be far different from theirs, won't it? Jesus' death will be far more painful, far less honorable, and far more glorious. Jesus will not be taken to heaven by the hand of God or by a fiery chariot. Jesus will breathe his last as a slaughtered lamb gasping for air on a blood-stained cross. But, how much more glorious it is for both Moses and Elijah are only delivered from death because Jesus himself died!

The Glory of the Willing Sacrifice

As Calvin points out, there is no passage in the whole of your Bible that speaks more to Jesus’ voluntary and willing death than this one. For the one that is slain on the cross is the very same one that was clothed in light, speaking to the prophets, and commended by the Father. He could avoid the cross, if He wished. He could avoid the suffering, if He wanted. But, He wanted to redeem the world. And so, the transfiguration is a promise to Jesus’ disciples that day as they wrestled with his difficult teachings about the sufferings ahead. And, the transfiguration is a promise to us, too. The promise of the transfiguration: The humiliation of the cross will only add to his glory. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus is giving us a taste of victory on the eve of defeat. The bitterness of the cross will give way to the sweetness of resurrection and, ultimately, consummation. APPLICATION: Jesus will rule the universe with sovereign, nail-pierced hands. He will use them to wipe away our tears, and He will use them to crush his enemies forever. Forever, we will sing ‘Worthy is the Lamb Who Was Slain,’ and forever, his enemies will behold his scars as the markers of their own defeat. How glorious is the Willing Lamb, Church?

The Pleasure of God

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” Peter had missed it again. He did not want them to leave. Again, he's hoping to stay and avoid the cross. God interrupts him the pronouncement of his pleasure! You see, God was pleased with his Son precisely because his Son had disregarded Peter. Peter, with good will mind you, is always tempting Jesus to avoid the cross, and God is pleased with his Son that He has refused to listen. This is the second time we've heard this exact phrase, isn't it? The first is at the Jesus' baptism where He commits himself to the mission of his Father to wash away the sins of his church. And, here the heavens speak again: Jesus had shown that He was as committed as ever to the will of God, even with difficulty looming. Jesus had not backed down as the days had gotten harder, and it brought pleasure to the Father. The glory of Christ is the pleasure of God, and his obedience brings the Father delight.

His Glory Will Make Us Glorious

“Listen to Him” There’s one difference in what the Father says to Jesus here than what He says in . Here the Father talks directly to the disciples himself. Think of that! God opens the heavens to speak to the disciples of Jesus about his Son. And, realize He’s speaking as much to us as He was to them. And, after having told them of the pleasure He has in his Son, He instructs them: “Listen to him!” “Listen to him about the cross! Listen to him about the mission! Listen to him about the future! Listen to him about the prize that awaits you! Listen to my Son and obey him as the authority of heaven!”

You see, in the transfiguration, Jesus was not only giving his disciples a foretaste of his own glory, but also a foretaste of the very glory that God will give to them also. Anselm says, “He gave a preview of his own glory and the glory of his own." Macleod says, "The transfiguration showed not only what He would become but we would become."

Be A Delight to God

We can live a life that is please to God! This is why Jesus came! This is why the Spirit indwells us! We can please God by reflecting the glory of his Son. How? By listening to his Son!

And so, we can begin to live now realizing the future glory that awaits us. We can live a life that is pleasing to God! This is why Jesus came! This is why the Spirit indwells us! There is misery and despair when we believe that we cannot please God. We can please God by reflecting the glory of his Son. How? By listening to his Son!

APPLICATION: Bringing God pleasure does not mean increasing God's love, but it does mean increasing God's delight in us. Be a delight to God to the glory of Christ! Every, single day of your life you are presented with choices that present to you an opportunity to be a delight to God. Reading his word. Praying by faith. Living with courageous obedience. Walking against the culture. Denying yourself friends and comforts and approval. Being a gospel witness. Make it the goal of every choice of every day to choose as though to bring delight to God.

Landing

Glimpsed. Confirmed. Awaiting.

So, what are we to make of 16:27-28? Before they died some of Jesus’ disciples glimpsed his glory at the transfiguration. His glory as Savior and God were to be confirmed in the resurrection, and we are still awaiting their consummation. And so, we wait together, anxiously seeking to bring as much delight to God as possible while we wait. Come, Lord Jesus. Come.

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