Matthew 17
New International Version (NIV)
The Transfiguration
17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
In this time of Transfiguration also Peter reveals his character. When all the other disciples were silent Peter says “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
When Peter said this, in fact it is said in Bible as "While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"
The voice from the cloud signifies the truth about Jesus and about the situation. When Peter said "Lord, it is good for us to be here." - he did not signify nor glorify God through Jesus and that is why the voice from the cloud first said "This is my Son, whom I love;
It is not by our human act that God is pleased. In fact when Paul was preaching to Athens -
Acts 17:24-25
New International Version (NIV)
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
So we must please God through Faith in him, We please him through Jesus his Son, Seeking him, Seeking his Kingdom. Loving him with whole heart, mind, soul and strength. Loving others, Loving enemies.
Hebrews 11:6
New International Version (NIV)
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
“Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”
Life's most difficult challenge is to discern what is right and what is wrong. Though the disciples were frightened, though Peter looked from his point of view, Jesus didn't rebuke them, in fact he came to them and said “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” Giving them the hope to realize that God is good, Good all the time. He is help for the needy. He hears our prayers, he knows our desires.
Jesus again says about his death. He also says about the first Elijah
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
Jesus teaches us through the transfiguration, that he is the Son of God, God the Father Loves him. God is pleased with him. So we must listen what Jesus says.
Though we might have looked at things from human perspective. God not only helps us understand his point of view, but also guides and motivates us not to be afraid.
HAVE A GREAT AND BLESSED DAY AHEAD
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