Devotion Matthew 17:1-13

Chapter 17
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 enveloped 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.” 10The disciples asked him, “Why then do the
teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 11Jesus replied, “To be sure,
Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12But I tell you, Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished.
In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13Then the
disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Meditation:
1. Peter, James and John witnessed a special event on the mountaintop. They
fell down before the transfigured Jesus and when they looked up “they saw
no one except Jesus”. What a mountaintop experience that was! In the rays
that blazed from His familiar form, in the bright cloud that enveloped them,
and in the voice announcing Jesus as God’s Son, Christ’s essential glory was
glimpsed. They were deeply, completely, totally immersed in worship.
2. How did I ever come to realize that Jesus was the one above all others that I
should listen to? How has God said to me, “This is my child, whom I love,
with whom I am well pleased”? What was my response?

Personal Note:
1. When did I experience God in such a manner?  Usually at a conference, retreat, etc.  They went to a mountaintop in order to have this experience.  In my busy lives, there is a time to retreat with Jesus Christ away from the crowd to experience his glory and splendor.

2. I came to realize Jesus was the one above all others by how the disciples reacted, usually out of fear and brokenness, and I experienced and felt that Jesus is the one above all others.  Peter out of good intention tried to build shelters for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus.  Jesus Christ is God.  Jesus Christ has the power and authority above everything in the world.  It seems that I became prideful at times when I tried to do lots of things for God out of my own strength.  Eventually, God revealed to me through His Words, miracles, and failures that He is God.  I am to listen to Jesus and His Words are my only source of comfort.