DCLM Search The Scripture 25 September 2022 (Adult) Lesson 38: The Transfiguration of Christ
DCLM Search The Scripture 25 September 2022 (Adult)
Deeper Life Search The Scripture 25th September 2022
LESSON 38 | THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRISTÂ
MEMORY VERSE: “And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light” (Matthew 17:2).
TEXTS: Matthew 17:1-27; Mark 9:1-13; Luke 9:28-36
DCLM Search The Scripture 25 September 2022 (Adult) OUTLINE
The event in our study focuses on the transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was so spectacular that the three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) recorded it vividly and at length. This is because it is a sign of His glorification that is to come. The transfiguration of Jesus Christ strengthened the faith of Peter, James and John as it confirms the truth that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Apostle Peter was to later testify that James, John and himself “were eyewitnesses of his majesty” and that Jesus “received from God the Father honour and glory” (2 Peter 1:16, 17).
In God’s plan, the transfiguration had an immediate impact on the participants and long-term application for the Church. The study also exposes how believers who have been delivered out of the hand of their enemies sin, self, Satan, trials and temptation should serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness until the end (Luke 1:74,75). Attention is also given to the not clearly understood personality of Christ’s forerunner, the healing of the lunatic, the death and resurrection of Christ and Christian duties and responsibilities.
REVELATION OF AND RESPONSE TO CHRIST’S GLORY (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:1-10; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-18; Psalm 4:4)
The account of the transfiguration was a historical reality and not mere fiction. Jesus actually took Peter, James and John to the top of a mountain to pray. While praying, the appearance of His face changed and His dress was white and radiant. Then, Moses and Elijah appeared in glory and discussed with Him. Peter was overwhelmed with the experience and proposed to remain on the mountaintop. He, therefore, suggested that they make three tabernacles each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. But while He was still speaking, a cloud overshadowed them and God’s voice came out of the cloud saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matthew 17:5).
After the voice, Jesus was found alone. There are several lessons from the account of the transfiguration. One, Jesus devoted much time to prayer. This underscores the importance of prayer in a believer’s life and ministry (Mark 1:35; Luke 5: 16; 6: 12; 11: 1; 22:44-46). Prayer has transforming power and is able to make a believer glow to the glory of God. DCLM Search The Scripture 25 September 2022 (Adult)
Two, we need divine revelation to be able to comprehend the glory of the Lord. Though Jesus put on human flesh, He was divine. His disciples would not have truly known this except God lifted the veil on their hearts to reveal Christ in His divinity on the mount of transfiguration.
Three, the appearance of Moses and Elijah teaches us that departed saints are not lost. They are safe in the bosom of the Lord; and someday, we shall see them face-to-face.
Four, Moses and Elijah, in glory, talked with Jesus about His death and resurrection. Moses was the lawgiver to Israel and thus, represented the law. Elijah was the great prophet of Israel and thus, represented the prophets. The ‘Law and the Prophets’ implies the entire Scripture, which personifies Christ, the Word. We must read and listen to the Word and obey it without doubting or questioning. The Law and the prophets point to Jesus as the Redeemer and Saviour of the world.
Five, the response of Peter showed that he spoke inadvertently. He spoke “not knowing what he said”. To start with, he proposed a tabernacle each for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. It must be noted that Jesus cannot be put on the same level with any prophet.
Six, God spoke from heaven to distinguish Christ as His beloved Son and that they should hear Him (Matthew 17:5). This heavenly proclamation and affirmation was meant to signal Jesus as God’s final Authority through whom all men would be redeemed. DCLM Search The Scripture 25 September 2022 (Adult)
Seven, we understand also that Moses and Elijah left the scene and Jesus was found alone. We learn here that the grand purpose of all revelations is to make us see Jesus only. We should not allow dreams, men or angels to becloud our vision and devotion to the Lord Jesus, as He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The three disciples of Christ, having seen the glory of Jesus and heard the voice of God concerning His Son, …fell on their face, and were sore afraid”.
Believers must understand that God is omnipresent and “…is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him” (Psalm 89:7). “And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead” (Matthew 17:9).
The reason was that at this time in His ministry, the disciples did not believe in the death of Jesus let alone His resurrection from the dead (Mark 9:10). They did not fully understand what they saw and heard. Believers should realise that there is time for everything. Personal revelation from God about an issue should be mentioned only when it is necessary and edifying.
All who desire to behold Christ’s glory in eternity must genuinely repent from sin and experience transformation of heart, consecrate all to the Lord, receive grace to live a godly life and continue to serve the Lord until the end.
DCLM Search The Scripture 25 September 2022 (Adult) Lesson 38
RIDDLE ABOUT CHRIST’S FORERUNNER CLARIFIED (Matthew 17:10-13; Mark 9: 11-13; Malachi 4:5; 2 Timothy 2:10)
“And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?” (Matthew 17:10). The disciples wanted to know the assertion of the scribes that Elijah will come before the advent of the Messiah. This was prophesied in Malachi: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD” (Malachi 4:5).
It was not that he should appear in person as they supposed, but that the forerunner of the Messiah will bear a striking resemblance to Elijah. Jesus therefore told His disciples that Elijah indeed had come (Luke 1: 1 7) in the person of John the Baptist. However, the Jewish rulers did not acknowledge the ministry of John the Baptist as the forerunner of the Messiah.
In their ignorance, they killed him. Jesus said He would be killed in like manner. By this systematic interpretation and explanation, the disciples understood that Christ referred to John the Baptist as His forerunner who had come in the spirit and power of Elijah. DCLM Search The Scripture 25 September 2022 (Adult)
PLEA FOR MERCY AND PAINFUL REBUKE FOR THE FAITHLESS (Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43; Psalm 51: 1; Matthew 9:27; Mark 10:47 ,48; Luke 4:24-27)
“And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water” (Matthew 17: 14, 15). This man came to the Fountain of life and the Source of all blessings. This is instructive to many who are in Christ’s fold but wander elsewhere to seek help. We need the mercy of God to break the power of sin and loose ourselves from the tyranny of sin.
The psalmist recognises the place of God’s mercy to deliver from sin and set free from its domineering effects; so, he prayed thus, “Have mercy upon me, O God according to thy lovingkindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgression” (Psalm 51:1). Jesus Christ is a compassionate and merciful Lord who will never deny anyone who comes to Him with sincerity the privilege of grace, pardon and mercy. He said, “him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).
However, faith is essential if we must receive from the Lord. Had the disciples demonstrated faith, they would have witnessed the power of God to deliver the lunatic child. The Lord rebuked them and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you?” (Matthew 17:17). Faith makes the difference between a believer and an unbeliever. Faith determines God’s power and presence in our lives and is the basis of our relationship with Him. “Without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). DCLM Search The Scripture 25 September 2022 (Adult)
That the disciples came to Jesus apart to inquire why they could not cast out the evil spirit was proof of their eagerness to learn. Their tenderness of heart to acknowledge their failure and seek more knowledge is instructive. The Lord graciously taught and showed them why they failed. “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21).
Christ underscores the power of prayer and fasting. He points to it as a channel through which we can prevail and get the power of God to accomplish our desire.
CHRIST FORETELLS HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION (Matthew 17:22,23; 16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22,44,45)
After Peter’s great confession of faith at Caesarea Philippi, Christ began to foretell His imminent suffering and death. “And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:” (Matthew 17:22). He had to repeat the message while at Galilee because the disciples did not grasp its import and implication.
It was appointed and expedient for Him to die for the sins of the world and be raised again for our justification. But the disciples did not understand and they were afraid to ask Him. We must avoid the fear that limits our understanding of spiritual truth.
Here, we observe the courage and readiness with which Christ spoke of His sufferings. Early believers had the same courage in facing death. Peter and Paul spoke about death in such a way as to demonstrate that the sting of death has been taken away (2 Peter 1:13-15; 2 Timothy 4:6; 1
Thessalonians 4: 13, 14). Through the death of Christ, the power of death has been broken for believers. DCLM Search The Scripture 25 September 2022 (Adult)
CHRISTIAN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Matthew 17:24-27; Romans 13: 1, 7; Exodus 30: 13; Luke 20:25)
At Capernaum, Christ paid the temple tax. This was the yearly tax imposed on all Jewish males as stipulated in the law (Exodus 30:13). Peter’s affirmative answer to the question, “Doth not your master pay tribute?”, was an indication that it was the practice of the Lord to pay all His dues. Before Peter could speak to Jesus about the tribute money, He went ahead of him to speak on the matter, for no thought could be withheld from His omniscience.
Christ only stated His freedom from the payment of the tribute but did not insist on it. He was free from paying temple tax because He is the Son of God, the One greater than the temple. Yet, He paid the tribute to serve as example to believers ‘ and to avoid unnecessary offences. We ought to follow His example in fulfilling our Christian responsibilities both in the church and in secular society.
The Holy Spirit says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour” (Romans 13:1,7). The miracle of provision of money for the tribute shows, one, the possibility of God providing for His people through unexpected means. DCLM Search The Scripture 25 September 2022 (Adult)
Two, the importance of honest labour in order to provide for our needs and those of others who depend on us. It is part of Christian responsibility to be gainfully employed, rather than being a parasite on others. Peter had to go and fish out the money to meet their need.
Third, we see the duty of providing for those who depend on us. Jesus provided for Himself and Peter. Those who are rich have the responsibility of helping the poor.
Finally, we observe that the money provided was enough to pay for both Jesus and Peter. The Lord desires to meet all our needs if we trust Him.
DCLM Search The Scripture 25 September 2022 (Adult) Lesson 38
Questions for review:
I. Explain the significance of the appearance and discussion of Moses and Elijah with Jesus.
2. Who was Christ’s forerunner?
3. Why did Jesus instruct His disciples not to talk about what they saw?
4. What are the qualifications for partaking in the eternal glory?
5. What is the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection?
6. What are the similarities between Elijah and John the Baptist?