Jesus concludes chapter 16 promising that some will not taste death before they see the Son of Man in his kingdom (16:28). Then, 6 days later, he takes them to the top of a mountain where he is transfigured before them (17:1-13).
I cannot image what it would have been like to be Peter, James, or John and to be up on the mountain and watching all of this unfold before my eyes. It seems as though there would be a mix of amazement and bewilderment, of excitement and fear. Seeing Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus and then hearing a voice say to listen to Jesus would have been quite a mind jarring experience. Not only is Jesus to be seen in the same category as those who had talked with God and spoke for God, but he is to be listened to in higher regard than they. For Peter, James, and John, this experience probably takes them back to Jesus’ teaching while on the side of a mountain where he tells the crowds, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17).
Jesus is not replacing what has come before him, rather he is illuminating it within his life and teachings. The law (given through Moses) and the teaching of the prophets (represented by Elijah) were meant to give life to the people as a community. The law and teaching of the prophets were to guide people into the life that God desires for us. This mountain top experience is a call to see Jesus as the embodiment of what God desires for us.
Immediately after this experience, Jesus and the disciples are confronted with the realities of the world, the harshness of the world. Jesus shows and tells that he has overcome the world, but what speaks loudly to the disciples is that both the mountain top experience and the valley of the shadow of death are to be expected this side of a resurrected life. Disease will still occur (15), satan still attacks (18), death still comes (23), and there are still bills to pay (24-27). Yet Jesus’ words that nothing will be impossible ring out in the midst of it all. It is a word of strength, similar to Paul’s words in Philippians 4:13, that I can do (prevail in) all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Prayer:
God who gives life,
Help me to listen to Jesus. When the harshness of the world hits, may I find strength through faith in Jesus. May I walk in the way that leads to life. Amen.