Get Up and Don't Be Afraid
Matthew 17:1-9
1After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4Peter 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.” 5While 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!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,”he said. “Don’t be afraid.”8When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9As 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.”
Additional Readings that are helpful:
Matthew 16:13-20; 21-28; I John 3:1-3
“The Transfiguration” - the journey to understanding the Messiah, the cross, the resurrection, and the Kingdom
Those involved:
- Jesus - fully God and fully man - Here, His deity is revealed in a new way
- Moses - the lawgiver - Elijah - the most jealous of all the prophets
- Peter - James - John - a core of the disciples - the raising of Jarius’ Daughter, the transfiguration, in the Garden of Gethsemane
- The Lord God Almighty
Metamorphoo - (metamorphosis) - transformed/ changed
What this meant:
- Jesus was fully man
- Jesus was fully God
God’s words:
“Listen to Him” (referring to Jesus - not to Moses or Elijah)
“This is my Son, whom I love, with Him I am well pleased”
Through a season of prayer, fasting, reflection - Begin this Lenten season asking God to reveal Himself, His light, His glory, His presence to you.
TODAY'S PREACHER
Randy Reese is Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC