Rise, and Have No Fear
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Matthew 17:1-13
1. And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. 2. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments 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 well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." 5. He was still speaking, when lo, 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 filled with awe. 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. 9. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead." 10. And the disciples asked him, "Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?" 11. He replied, "Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things; 12. but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands." 13. Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
I’ve always thought of this passage as “the beginning of the end.” Jesus was preparing the disciples for what was to come. They don’t seem to understand this experience at first, but Jesus helps them connect the dots, finally, and thus provides them something hopeful. They can look back upon this experience and draw on it when they are at their most desperate, sad and lonely after Christ’s death. They can use the memory of the light emanating from their beloved teacher, friend, and brother as they grieve the suffering and death he endures.
I wonder if they thought of this experience in the hours after Jesus died. I wonder if they felt hope and joy and reassurance. Or if they were so overcome with fear and felt so disappointed and confused that it didn’t matter what Jesus had told them, or what they believed. Of course I know the resurrection was for all of us – but I think it might have also been personal – for their benefit. After all this time, they still have to be led to the truth. They weren’t dumb or slow – they were just regular men, caught up in history! And this whole concept (Jesus/son of God/the Messiah) was pretty hard to grasp!
In so many ways, we are just like them. We don’t always “get it” when it comes to applying our faith to our daily lives. We forget about the saving grace of God, and the sacrificial gift of His Son. We don’t apply the lessons we have learned about what it means to call ourselves as Christians. We forget the road to the cross, the kind and gentle man, with the inner strength and courage that we can only imagine. We forget the resurrection! And God understands that we are just “regular” people, trying to live our lives—just like the disciples with Jesus.
Our task is to seek out that bright cloud and the voice that declares, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." Like the disciples, we are to rise, without fear, and go out into the world. We are declare the resurrection! Christ is risen! The tomb is empty! Have you really thought, long and hard, about what that means to you? Have you made Christ your personal savior? Jesus died for you, personally. He had you in mind as he carried that cross, bruised and bloody up the hill . He thought of you when he called out to God to forgive “them.” You and I were included in that plea.
I hope that today you are encased within the bright cloud of the voice of God. And that you accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
Mary
