Listen to the Son!
God’s planned sacrifice
In Matthew 17:1-8, we witness the remarkable event known as the Transfiguration, during which Jesus takes His close disciples—Peter, James, and John—up a high and majestic mountain. There, before their very eyes, He undergoes a profound transformation, and His face shines brilliantly like the sun, while His clothes become dazzlingly white, radiating a purity and light unlike anything they have ever seen. In an extraordinary moment, the legendary figures of Moses and Elijah appear and converse with Him, representing the Law and the Prophets, thus connecting the Old Testament to His mission. The disciples, utterly awestruck by this revelation, are privileged to witness the overwhelming glory of Christ and hear a commanding voice emanating from the cloud, declaring, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!" Overcome with fear, they fall to the ground in reverence, but Jesus tenderly touches them and reassures them to rise and not be afraid. When they finally look up, they see Jesus standing there alone, a powerful reminder of His singular authority.
This powerful passage not only emphasizes Jesus' divine nature and His fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets but also prepares the disciples for the impending suffering and sacrifice that He is destined to endure. As the perfect sacrifice for our sins, Jesus embodies the ultimate commitment to God's overarching plan, willingly laying down His life to restore humanity's broken relationship with God. His transfiguration serves as a precious glimpse of His divine glory, reinforcing the profound truth that through His sacrificial death, He conquers both sin and death, offering the gift of eternal life to all who genuinely believe in Him. Therefore, the call to discipleship, which was initiated in Matthew 16, continues to resonate powerfully, reminding all believers that following Jesus entails embracing His path of sacrifice and unfalteringly trusting in His transformative power to change lives.
(ai summarized)
“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead”