Jan. 18, 2023 – Matthew 22-23
Jesus chooses three of his disciples and takes them up a mountain. They will return forever changed, but with a command not to tell anyone what they have seen until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead. There are so many mysteries in this rich story! Why did Jesus choose Peter, James, and John? Where is this mountain? What did Jesus talk about with Moses and Elijah? As with other things, why are they supposed to keep this a secret?
While there are a lot of questions here we can’t definitively answer, there are others we can; the details of this story weave into a rich tapestry tying the Old Testament to Jesus. Here are just a few, though there are many more: The mountain is significant because it connects to the mountain where both Moses and Elijah met God, among others. Once again, they meet God in Jesus. After Moses met God, his face shone with glory so much that he had to veil himself so that the people could look at him. Jesus’ face shines more genuinely, not reflecting the glory of God, but shining with its own glory.
The presence of the cloud on the mountain is also significant because clouds always signify God’s presence in the Old Testament. God’s presence was also associated with the tabernacle (tent) that served as the people’s traveling temple, which explains why Peter suggests making some tents, but Peter doesn’t understand that Jesus’ body is the new tabernacle and the only one they need.
Moses is the character in the Bible most associated with Torah (the law) and Elijah is most associated with the prophets. Both lives of these men ended in strange ways—Moses died in God’s presence and God took care of his body, and Elijah ascended into heaven without dying. The Torah requires that testimony in court be supported by two witnesses, and this is also referred to in Revelation 11, where the two witnesses have the power to hold back the rain and turn water into blood. Notice, these are the signs and wonders that Moses and Elijah did.
This whole scene culminates with the voice of God declaring Christ’s identity and commanding a response. This is God’s dearly loved Son, who brings him great pleasure. We must listen to him. The most amazing, out-of-this-world experience shared by only three of the disciples just became completely practical. Jesus wasn’t transformed on the mountain, they were, and as we experienced God’s presence, we are too.
Jesus Christ, you are the only beloved Son of God. You are the fulfillment of all the Scriptures, and every work of God leading up to this moment on the mountain, and every moment proceeds from this mountain leading to the mountain where you will be arrested, and the mountain where your cross stood. Transform us. Forgive us when we, like Peter, don’t know what we are saying, and make us bold to reflect the light you shine on us. Amen.
Questions for reflection:
- Think of all the Bible stories you can that take place on a mountain. How do they relate to this one? (Hint: look at Genesis 22 and Exodus 24 for starters)
- After Jesus descends the mountain, he predicts his death. If you haven’t noticed, he has done that in every chapter for the last several that we have read. Why do you think he repeats this so much? How does the reality of Jesus the Messiah contrast with people’s expectations of the Messiah?
- Jesus returns from the mountain with some harsh words (verse 17). How does this also tie the transfiguration to the Old Testament? (see Exodus 32)
If you want to dive deeper into the transfiguration, check out this great teaching by Chad Bird: