Scripture Focus (Matthew 17:1-8) – “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. [2] And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. [3] And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. [4] 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.” [5] 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.” [6] When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. [7] But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” [8] And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”
I. What Came Before His Glory (1)
“And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.”
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- Jesus’ messaging emphasized His death (Matthew 16:21) – “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
- Peter was rebuked for opposing the cross (Matthew 16:23) – “But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a hindrance to Me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
- Jesus clarified the cost of following Him (Matthew 16:24-25) – “Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. [25] For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
II. How His Glory Manifested (2)
“And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light.”
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- Isaiah 9:2 – “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”
- Revelation 1:16-17 – “In his right hand He held seven stars, from His mouth came a sharp twoedged sword, and His face was like the sun shining in full strength. [17] When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead…”
- Acts 9:3-5 – “Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. [4] And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” [5] And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
III. How His Glory Was Almost Hijacked (3-4)
A. Peter discerned that the encounter was rewarding (3-4a) – ““And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here…”
B. Peter miscalculated and misspoke (4b) – “If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
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- Mark 9:6 – “For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.”
- Luke 9:33 – “…not knowing what he said.”
C. Isaiah 42:8 – “I am the LORD; that is my name; My glory I give to no other…”
III. How His Glory Was Protected (5-8)
A. The Father had heard enough (5) – “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.”
B. The believers were brought low (6) – “When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.”
C. The glorious King is also the compassionate King (7) – “But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”
D. The purpose for glory manifesting (8) – “And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.”