Matthew 17
1And 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. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
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.
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. 7 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.
Peter, James and John were on the mountain when the transfiguration of the Lord Jesus happened as it is described here. It is said that this happened after six days. What had happened six days previously? In Matthew 16 v 28, the Lord Jesus said that some would not taste death before the Son of Man would come in His glory. Today all the people of that time have died, but at that time only these three disciples witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration. His face shone like the sun and his clothes were like light. Moses and Elijah spoke to him.
There is nothing comparable to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. In 2 Peter 1 v 16 it says that the Gospel is not cleverly invented fairy tales. The Muslims can have four wives under one roof and if the one wife is out of the door, then the next one can enter in and they don’t worry about Mohammed because he is dead. They also say that Mohammed was the comforter the Lord Jesus spoke about and that the Koran is the last testament. The Hindus say that theirs is the true religion because it is the oldest. The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is not a fable or fairy tale like other religions. The disciples were eye-witnesses to the transfiguration.
2 Peter 1
16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
The Lord Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him up the mountain to witness this event. He also took them with him when Tabitha died and when He went to the garden of Gethsemane. Why did the Lord only take these three? He knew He could rely on them and that they wouldn’t speak before His crucifixion and resurrection. The other disciples would perhaps be so excited that they would tell someone and then things could have gone wrong. These three however had broad shoulders and could carry things. We don’t know exactly which mountain it was, but it was a steep and high mountain. Spiritually it is the same. You can’t stay on the low ground. You have to go up the spiritual mountain, seek the things above and be alone with God.
Jesus’ face shone brighter than the sun. Jesus was flesh and yet He was God Himself. His flesh was just like a garment or set of clothes. Then there was a bright cloud which wasn’t just a normal cloud but the cloud of God’s presence that is found often in the Old Testament. That the Lord Jesus was divine was now visible to see.
The Lord Jesus came in a disguise to this earth. He washed the feet of men and became the servant of all and people didn’t realize that He was God himself. On the mountain, however, what He really was, was revealed. The Lord Jesus knew that the disciples had to be strengthened for what was lying ahead. The devil blinds people so that they say nobody has been to heaven to tell about it, but people have been there and returned to tell what happened. Elijah and Moses were there in their heavenly bodies. Moses represents the law of God, which says what the Lord Jesus had to go through. Elijah represents the prophets who point to Christ and the salvation He brings.
Peter spoke without thinking saying that it was good for them to be there to build three tabernacles for them. The disciples had eaten with the Lord Jesus and spoken with Him, but now they saw Him in His glory. The three men fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. One doesn’t know how long they lay there, but the Lord Jesus touched them and strengthened them and when they arose they only saw Jesus.
We will experience great wonders and difficulties, but they will pass and only the Lord Jesus will remain. Take hold of what the Lord Jesus says. We need to hear Him and what He is saying.