Friends in Christ Weekly Message
March 5, 2011

     Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.
     Peter broke in, “Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain - one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?”
     While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.”
     When the disciples heard it, they fell flat on their faces, scared to death. But Jesus came over and touched them. “Don't be afraid.” When they opened their eyes and looked around all they saw was Jesus, only Jesus.
Matthew 17:1-8 (Message*)

This account appears in all three synoptic gospels, and is referenced a couple of times later in the New Testament. Clearly this is something that was seen as of great importance.

In chapter 16, we have the “Who am I?” passage in which Peter states that Jesus is the Messiah. Here we have that confirmed in a powerful way. The Messiah is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Moses was the great law-giver and Elijah was a particularly significant prophet. The Jews believed Moses and Elijah would come back when the Messiah came. The change in appearance revealed the truth of who Jesus was on the inside by showing it on the outside. And we have three witnesses, meeting Jewish witness requirements to prove an event.

Do you believe Jesus was the fulfillment of the law and the prophets? Do you believe he was the messiah?

Bill Samuel

* The Message version © by Eugene H. Peterson.

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