Context No. 3882 of 4322 · Matthew

Matthew 17:1-5: in context

1After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. 2He was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. 3Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him. 4Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”

On a high mountain, Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John; his face shines like the sun and his clothes become white as light, and Moses and Elijah appear, talking with him. Peter, overwhelmed, wants to build three shelters, one each for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, as if they belonged together on the same level.

But God interrupts. A bright cloud overshadows them, and the Father's voice declares, this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. Two things stand out. The glory of Christ, briefly unveiled, a glimpse of who he truly is beneath the ordinary appearance of his earthly life. And the Father's correction of Peter's instinct to put Jesus alongside Moses and Elijah. Moses represented the law and Elijah the prophets, but the voice from heaven singles out Jesus alone: this is my beloved Son; listen to him. Christ is not one voice among many, one great teacher beside others; he is the beloved Son, and the Father's command is simply to listen to him. Above every other authority, above the law and the prophets themselves, we are to listen to Jesus.

Do I listen to Jesus as the beloved Son, above every other voice and authority, rather than setting him merely alongside other teachers and guides I might follow?

Sources

Matthew 17:2: "He was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light."
Matthew 17:5: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him."
Matthew 17:4: "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let's make three tents here."