Facing Our Fears in the Transfiguration Experiences
[Editor's Note: Dr. Owen produced several sermons on Facing Our Fears. To find them on PastorLife type word FEARS in the Search Submit section the PastorLife homepage.]
Introduction
For the past couple of weeks, we have been looking at a series of passages from the gospel of Matthew on the subject of “Facing Our Fears.” From Matthew chapter 10, we talked about Facing Our Fears In The Traumatic Experiences. Then in Matthew chapter 14, we talked about Facing Our Fears In The Terrifying Experiences.
Today, we’re looking at Matthew chapter 17, and our subject is Facing Our Fears In The Transfiguration Experiences. Now, obviously we are not going to have the kind of transfiguration experience that Peter, James, and John had on the mountain that day with Jesus. But there are times in our Christian experience when the Lord manifests His glory in our lives, or when He manifests His blessings in our lives. And like Peter, we respond inappropriately. We diminish the Lord’s preeminence by how we respond and what we say. We disappoint God.
Are we afraid of disappointing Him? Or are we so caught up in self that we have no concern about how our words and actions affect Almighty God?
I recently conducted an informal, online survey in which I asked the question, “What is your greatest fear?” From those that responded, these were some of the answers: ‘My greatest fear is’…
Spiders. I hate them.
My biggest fear is someone in my family getting a horrible disease.
Lost family dying lost.
My biggest fear is knowing I will wake up tomorrow and still make the same mistakes I have made in the past … FAILURE.
My biggest fear is having success in that which does not really matter.
Not saying what the Lord lays on my Heart!
Fear that I’ll get in the way of what God wants to do. I must decrease and He must increase.
Fear that I will not be the servant of my LORD and my family and friends that I should be!
I fear not being and doing what God wants and therefore being a stumbling block for others.
Some of these responses indicate a fear of disappointing God. Maybe that was part of Peter’s fear on the Mount of Transfiguration.
The McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia says of the Transfiguration that…
The Greek word metamorphothe, well rendered “was transfigured,” signifies a change of form or appearance (Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:2), and is so explained in Luke 9:29, “the fashion of his countenance was altered.” This is one of the most wonderful incidents in the life of our Savior upon earth, and one so instructive that we can never exhaust its lessons. The apostle Peter, towards the close of his life, in running his mind over the proofs of Christ’s majesty, found none so conclusive and irrefragable (certain) as the scenes when he and others were with his Master in the holy mount (2 Peter 1:18) as eye-witnesses that he “received from God the Father honor and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’.” The apostle John likewise refers to the convincing power of the “glory” exhibited on that occasion (John 1:14).
Cf. (John 1:14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
We note that F.B. Meyer made a remarkable comparison between the Shekinah glory in the most holy place of the Old Testament and the manifestation of Christ’s glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. He said…
There were times when the light that shone in the most holy place could not be confined there; but issued forth, and flooded the entire structure so that the multitudes without could discern its splendour. And so in the earthly life of our blessed Lord there were moments when the glory of the Only-Begotten of the Father broke through the limitations which .He had assumed, and bathed his mortal body in transcendent light and beauty. Such a season was the Transfiguration, when (even his garments became white as the light. Then were the Apostles “eye-witnesses of his majesty.” Then did they behold his glory, “the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father.” (The Life of Light and Men)
I read a little story that said…
One day on the way home from church a little girl turned to her mother and said, “Mommy, the preacher’s sermon this morning confused me.” The mother said, “Oh! Why is that? The girl replied, “Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. Is that true?” “Yes, that’s true,” the mother replied. “He also said that God lives within us. Is that true too?” Again the mother replied, “Yes.” “Well,” said the girl. “If God is bigger than us and he lives in us, wouldn’t He show through?”
My friends, Jesus was God! And that day on the Mount of Transfiguration, it showed through!
The Bible tells us that…
(Matthew 17:1) And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
The McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia says…
The Mount of Transfiguration is traditionally thought to have been Mount Tabor; but as this height is fifty miles from Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus last taught, it has of late been supposed to have been a mountain much less distant, namely, Mount Hermon.
Adam Clarke says…
It is very likely that this transfiguration took place in the night, which was a more proper season to show forth its glory than the daytime, in which a part of the splendour must necessarily be lost by the presence of the solar light.
As we look at this passage of scripture, let me point out that…
I. There Is An Incredible Scene In This Passage
(Here We See The Context Of Their Fear) (Matthew 17:1–3)
These “inner circle” disciples were privileged to be with Jesus in the home of Jairus in Luke 8:51 when his daughter was raised. They would later be with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion (Matthew 26:37). Now, they are privileged to be with the Lord here on the Mount of Transfiguration. We have a couple of statements in the Word of God that pointedly describe the scene that was visible to the disciples on the mountain…
(Luke 9:32) But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
glory – Greek 1391. doxa, dox'-ah; from the base of G1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (lit. or fig., obj. or subj.):--dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship.
The word suggests that His personage was exhibited in a praiseworthy way, in a way that evoked worship. He showed Himself in the dignity of His deity and the honour of His heavenliness.
(2 Peter 1:16) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
majesty – Greek 3168. megaleiotes, meg-al-i-ot'-ace; from G3167; superbness, i.e. glory or splendor:--magnificence, majesty, mighty power.
Essentially, they got a glimpse of His glory!
A. Let’s Notice That The View Was Radiant
(Matthew 17:1-2) And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, {2} And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
The Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament says that…
The basic meaning of (transfigured – NT:3339) is: change. … An outwardly visible transformation is described in Mark 9:2; Matthew 17:2. Here a change in the nature of Jesus is not in view; the true nature of Jesus is made visible to the three disciples who witness the transfiguration. The passive (tense of the verb) points to an action of God.
John MacArthur wrote…
From within Himself, in a way that defies full description, much less full explanation, Jesus’ divine glory was manifested before Peter, James, and John. … As best they could with human eyes, these three men had seen the essence of God shine forth from Jesus.
Kenneth Wuest wrote…
Out from within the inmost being of the Son of God, there shone that dazzling glory of the essence of Deity which He possesses co-eternally with God the Father and God the Spirit. It shone right through the clay walls of His humanity and through the clothing He wore. … Here was no borrowed radiance, even from the skies, which might shine on the Lord Jesus. This effulgence of glory came from within, and was an inherent possession of the Lord of Glory. The word “shining” … is a participle, indicating that the shining was active. The word is used of a flashing sword and of sunshine on shields. This is what is meant by the transfiguration of the Lord Jesus.
Additionally, we are told…
(Mark 9:2-3) And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. {3} And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
Smith’s Bible Dictionary says that…
The trade of the fullers, so far as it is mentioned in Scripture, appears to have consisted chiefly in cleansing garments and whitening them.
Also…
(Luke 9:28-29) And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. {29} And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
We read that A. T. Robertson said of the phrase “his raiment was white and glistering” that it is… Literally, “And his raiment white radiant.” There is no “and” between “white” and
“dazzling” (glistering). The participle ?exastraptoon ?is from the compound verb meaning “to flash” ? astraptoo ?”out or forth” ?ex?. The simple verb is common for lightning flashes and bolts.
B. Let’s Notice That The Visitors Were Recognized
(Matthew 17:3) And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
John MacArthur wrote…
Why we may wonder, were these two men chosen out of the many godly Old Testament believers who might have been chosen? … As no others, Moses and Elijah represented the Old Testament, the law and the prophets. … Another interesting aspect of the scene is the fact that, whereas Moses died, Elijah did not, having been carried to heaven by a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). Moses therefore represented the saints who will have died by the time Jesus returns, and Elijah those who will have been raptured.
Adam Clarke wrote…
We may conceive that the law in the person of Moses, the great Jewish legislator, and the prophets in the person of Elijah, the chief of the prophets, came now to do homage to Jesus Christ, and to render up their authority into his hands; as he was the END of the law, and the grand subject of the predictions of the prophets.
Matthew Henry said…
These two were Moses and Elias, men very eminent in their day. They had both fasted forty days and forty nights, as Christ did, and wrought other miracles, and were both remarkable at their going out of the world as well as in their living in the world. Elias was carried to heaven in a fiery chariot, and died not. The body of Moses was never found; possibly it was preserved from corruption, and reserved for this appearance. … Moses and Elias appeared to the disciples; they saw them, and heard them talk, and, either by their discourse or by information from Christ, they knew them to be Moses and Elias.
What did they talk about? Luke tells us…
(Luke 9:30-31) And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: {31} Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
This was a curious subject, for Moses had been dead 1,200 years and Elijah had been gone for 800 years; yet they spoke of death. This was a common subject, for “as it is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebrews 9:27), mortality and death becomes us all. Because we do not know how much these two comprehended of Christ’s purpose, let’s imagine how the conversation went. I can hear Elijah ask, “Do you know how you are going to die?” “Oh yes,” says Jesus. “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day” (Luke 9:22). “It will be death by crucifixion.” Then Moses says, “Yes of course. I understand. It all makes sense now. ‘Almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission’ (Hebrews 9:22).” He points to Jesus and says, “Behold the peace offering! Behold the burnt offering! Behold the scapegoat! Behold the bullock and turtledove! Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world!”
II. There Is An Impulsive Suggestion In This Passage
(Here We See The Cause Of Their Fear) (Matthew 17:4)
A. Peter’s Mentality Was Flawed
(Matthew 17:4) Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
John MacArthur explains that…
New Testament chronologists have determined that the Jewish month in which the transfiguration took place was Tishri (October), the sixth month before Passover and therefore six months before Jesus’ crucifixion. During this month the Jews celebrated the feast of Tabernacles, or Booths, and it is possible that at this very time the feast was being observed In Jerusalem. During a period of seven days the people lived in small shelters, or booths, made of boughs, symbolizing the temporary dwellings of their forefathers in the wilderness. It was a memorial to God’s preserving His chosen and redeemed people (see Lev. 23:33-44). The feast’s being close at hand may therefore have caused Peter to suggest building the three tabernacles on the mountain. That possibility is even more likely in light of the fact that this festival commemorated the Exodus from slavery in Egypt and the wilderness wanderings of Israel under Moses.
Adam Clarke said…
[It is good for us to be here] Some MSS. add pantote, it is good for us to be ALWAYS here.
Kenneth Wuest noted…
It is good for us to be here. There are two words for “good” in Greek, agathos which speaks of intrinsic goodness, and kalos which speaks of goodness as it is seen from without. The word kalos has also the idea of “beautiful.” It was used by the Greeks of anything so distinguished in form, excellence, goodness, usefulness, as to be pleasing. Hence, it can refer to anything which is handsome, useful, excellent, suitable, commendable, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends. The latter is used here.
MacArthur goes on to say that…
We can only guess at Peter’s motive for making the suggestion, except that he obviously was content to remain with the Lord on the mountain top. He had no interest in Jesus’ going to Jerusalem or in His coming again. He wanted the Lord to stay, not leave and return. He especially did not want Him to leave by way of death (Matt. 16:22). As usual, he was caught up in his own plans and will rather than the Lord’s. Although he prefaced his suggestion with if You wish, Peter probably assumed Jesus would approve.
The Pulpit Commentary says…
They saw the heavenly visitants preparing to leave them. They would stay their departure if they could, so they stammered, “Let us build some shelter; let us erect some temple, however humble, to do honour, Lord, to thee and thy companions.” … ?Like a child, he would fain prolong indefinitely the joy of this great vision. … Was there not also a latent hope that thus might be deferred or laid aside that departure to Jerusalem, with its calamitous consequences?
Wiersbe said…
Peter wanted Jesus to hold on to the glory apart from the suffering, but this is not God’s plan.
Marvin Vincent explained the phrase…
Let us make poieesoomen. But the best texts read, poieesoo, “I will make,” which is more characteristic of Peter. He would erect the booths himself.
Note that J. W. McGarvey and Philip Y. Pendleton wrote…
By thus speaking, Peter placed Jesus upon the same level with Moses and Elijah – all three being worthy of a booth. (From The Fourfold Gospel)
There is a flaw in putting priority on human agendas, or human preferences, or human instrumentality above Christ.
B. Peter’s Motivation Was Fear
(Matthew 17:4-6) Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. {5} While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. {6} And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
(Mark 9:5-6) And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. {6} For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
(Luke 9:33-34) And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. {34} While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
The mention of their fear is recorded in varying order in the three gospel accounts of this situation. Matthew tells us that their fear was the result of hearing the voice from the clouds. Luke tells us that they “feared as they entered into the cloud.” Mark says that Peter misspoke “for he wist not what to say, for they were sore afraid.” Fear was a prevalent part of the whole situation. And it wasn’t acrophobia (a fear of heights) because they were on a high mountain. It wasn’t nephophobia (a fear of clouds) because they entered into the cloud. It wasn’t hypnophobia ( a fear of sleep) because they had been “heavy with sleep” according to Luke 9:32.
The underlying fear was more of a “theophobia” (a fear of God). And I don’t think that this was limited to a reverent awe of His divine person. When they heard His voice, it is especially apparent that they were terrified that perhaps He was displeased with them. It is almost the type of reaction that we see in Gideon and Manoah in the book of Judges, who feared for their lives because they had seen the Lord…
(Judges 6:22) And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.
(Judges 13:22) And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God. In his Word Studies from the Greek New Testament, Kenneth Wuest wrote…
For he wist not what to say. For they were sore afraid. The Greek has it “For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.” The words “sore afraid” are the translation of ekphobos. The verbal form means “to throw into violent fright.” Peter certainly did not know what to say, for he was terribly frightened. But he was not called upon to say anything. It was an occasion where silence would have been the wisest procedure.
III. There Is An Impressive Savior In This Passage
(Here We See The Cure Of Their Fear) (Matthew 17:5–7)
A. Notice The Father’s Testimony Of Commendation
(Matthew 17:5) While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Albert Barnes said…
A cloud was the symbol of the divine presence. Thus, God went before the Israelites in a cloudy pillar-dark by day and bright by night (Exodus 14:19-20); he appeared on Mount Sinai in a cloud bright by fire (Exodus 24:15-17); and a cloud, the symbol of the divine presence-called the Shechinah-dwelt continually in the most holy place in the temple, 1 Kings 8:10-11; Ezekiel 1:4; 10:4.
(Mark 9:7) And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Kenneth Wuest said…
The words “there was” are the translation of ?egeneto ?”to become,” ingressive aorist signifying entrance into a new condition. The word is used by Mark to speak of the suddenness of the appearance of the cloud and the remarkable nature of the event. … Thayer says: “From a vaporous cloud that casts a shadow, the word is transferred to a shining cloud surrounding and enveloping persons with brightness.”
This “Voice” has been heard before saying essentially the same thing at Jesus’ baptism…
(Matthew 3:16-17) And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: {17} And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew Henry said of the statement uttered here…
Moses and Elias were great men, and favourites of Heaven, yet they were but servants, and servants that God was not always well pleased in; for Moses spoke unadvisedly, and Elias was a man subject to passions; but Christ is a Son, and in him God was always well pleased. Moses and Elias were sometimes instruments of reconciliation between God and Israel; Moses was a great intercessor, and Elias a great reformer; but in Christ God is reconciling the world; his intercession is more prevalent than that of Moses, and his reformation more effectual than that of Elias.
Wuest said…
Hear Him. The verb is present imperative, speaking of continuous action. “Be constantly hearing Him.” The verb “hear,” in this context, does not merely refer to the act of hearing, in the sense of listening to, but to the act of obeying what is heard.
B. Notice The Favorable Tokens Of Compassion
(Matthew 17:6) And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
sore – Greek 4970. sphodra, sfod'-rah; neut. plur. of sphodros (violent; of uncert. der.) as adv.; vehemently, i.e. in a high degree, much:--exceeding (-ly), greatly, sore, very.
afraid – Greek 5399. phobeo, fob-eh'-o; from G5401; to frighten, i.e. (pass.) to be alarmed; by anal. to be in awe of, i.e. revere:--be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.
John MacArthur said…
The outspoken, brash Peter and his two companions now knew they stood in the awesome presence of Almighty God. As would be expected, when the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were much afraid. Peter was probably so utterly traumatized that he promptly forgot about his presumptuous suggestion to build the three tabernacles.
The combined awareness of the Lord’s grace and His majesty, His love and His justice, His friendship and His lordship should cause a kind of spiritual tension in every believer. On the one hand he rejoices in his loving fellowship with the Lord because of His gracious kindness, and on the other hand he has reverential fear as he contemplates His awesome holiness and righteousness.
Then we are told…
(Matthew 17:7-8) And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. {8} And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
As MacArthur says…
Jesus’ first actions and words after His mighty display of splendor were those of gentle, loving care. Knowing the great fear of His three beloved companions, Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” As they hesitatingly lifted up their eyes, it must have been a great relief to see no one, except Jesus Himself alone. The impressions of the experience were now indelibly inscribed in their minds. They could testify with certainty and boldness that Jesus had indeed manifested Himself in glory before some of them had tasted death (16:28).
Matthew Henry said…
Christ graciously raised them up with abundance of tenderness. Note, The glories and advancements of our Lord Jesus do not at all lessen his regard to, and concern for, his people that are compassed about with infirmity. It is comfortable to think, that now, in his exalted state, he has a compassion for, and condescends to, the meanest true believer. Observe here, (1.). What he did; he came, and touched them. His approaches banished their fears; and when they apprehended that they were apprehended of Christ, there needed no more to make them easy. Christ laid his right hand upon John is a like case, and upon Daniel, Revelation 1:17; Daniel 8:18; 10:18. Christ’s touches were often healing, and here they were strengthening and comforting. (2.) What he said; Arise, and be not afraid. Note, though a fear of reverence in our converse with Heaven is pleasing to Christ, yet a fear of amazement is not so, but must be striven against. Christ said, Arise. Note, It is Christ by his word, and the power of his grace going along with it, that raises up good men from their dejections, and silences their fears; and none but Christ can do it.
Conclusion
In his book Fearless, Max Lucado in talking about the fear of disappointing God tells of a man named Noble Doss who dropped the ball.
One ball. One pass. One mistake. In 1941 he let one fall. And it’s haunted him ever since. “I cost us a national championship,” he says.
The University of Texas football team was ranked number one in the nation. Hoping for an undefeated season and a berth in the Rose Bowl, they played conference rival Baylor University. With a 7-0 lead in the third quarter, the Longhorn quarterback launched a deep pass to a wide-open Doss.
“The only thing I had between me and the goal,” he recalls, “was twenty yards of grass.”
The throw was on target. Longhorn fans rose to their feet. The sure-handed Doss spotted the ball and reached out, but it slipped through.
Baylor rallied and tied the score with seconds to play. Texas lost their top ranking and, consequently, their chance at the Rose Bowl.
“I think about that play every day,” Doss admits.
Not that he lacks other memories. Happily married for more than six decades. A father. Grandfather. He served in the navy during World War II. He appeared on the cover of Life magazine with his Texas teammates. He intercepted seventeen passes during his collegiate career, a university record. He won two NFL titles with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Texas High School Football Hall of Fame and the Longhorn Hall of Honor include his name.
Most fans remember the plays Doss made and the passes he caught. Doss remembers the one he missed. Once, upon meeting a new Longhorn head coach, Doss told him about the bobbled ball. It had been fifty years since the game, but he wept as he spoke.
Memories of dropped passes fade slowly. They stir a lonely fear, a fear that we have disappointed people, that we have let down the team, that we’ve come up short. A fear that, when needed, we didn’t do our part, that others suffered from our fumbles and bumbles. Of course, some of us would gladly swap our blunders for Doss’s. If only we’d merely dropped a pass. If only we’d merely disappointed a football squad.
Lucado continues by saying…
I correspond with a prisoner. Actually, he does most of the corresponding. He has three to five years to reflect on his financial misdealing. Shame and worry take turns dominating the pages – shame for the mistake, worry about the consequences. He’s disappointed everyone he loves. Including God.
Especially God. He fears he’s outsinned God’s patience. … The fear of disappointing God has teeth. Do you have a fear of disappointing God? Do you feel that you have disappointed Him recently?
May I remind you that He is a forgiving Lord; He is a compassionate Lord. As He did with Simon Peter and the others, He can touch you again. He can speak to you again and offer words of comfort.
I’m reminded of a couple of songs that are relevant to this truth. One song says…
“I’ve never been disappointed in Jesus. Doubt has never crossed my mind, for in Him no fault I find. I’ve been discouraged with my family, forsaken by my friends; But I’ve never been disappointed in Him.”
Another song says it equally well…
“Though I have failed the Lord, He has never failed me.” AMEN!