Matthew 17:1-5: a reflection

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 the mountain, Jesus is transfigured before his disciples, his face shining like the sun; and from the cloud the Father's voice declares him the beloved Son and gives one command: listen to him. He was changed before them, the account says; his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as the light. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him. For a moment, the disciples saw Jesus in his glory, his true glory shining through, and Moses and Elijah with him. And then the Father spoke, affirming Jesus as his beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased, and giving the disciples one command about him: listen to him. The glory of the Son was revealed, and the Father's word was to heed him above all. This shows the glory of Christ revealed, and the Father's command to listen to him. Behold the glory of Christ, the beloved Son of the Father. The Father's command about Jesus is clear: listen to him. Above all, heed the words of Christ, the beloved Son. Christ is the beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased; listen to him.

Notice both what was revealed and what was commanded. First, what was revealed: on the mountain, Jesus was transfigured before his disciples; his face shone like the sun, his garments became white as light. For a moment, the disciples saw the glory of Christ, his true divine glory shining through the veil of his ordinary appearance, and Moses and Elijah appeared with him, the law and the prophets bearing witness to him. It was a revelation of who Jesus truly is: not merely a man, but the glorious Son of God. And then, what was commanded: a voice came from the cloud, the Father's voice, declaring, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, and then giving one command: listen to him. Amid the glory, the Father's word to the disciples was simple and central: heed my Son; listen to him. This holds a truth and a command for us. The truth: Jesus is the glorious, beloved Son of God, in whom the Father is well pleased; his glory, veiled in his ordinary life, is real, and was revealed on the mountain. And the command, given by the Father himself: listen to him. Above Moses and Elijah, above all other voices, we are to listen to Jesus, the beloved Son; his words are to be heeded above all. To behold the glory of Christ rightly is to be moved to do what the Father commands: to listen to him, to heed his words, to take him as our authority above all. We do well to behold the glory of Christ, the beloved Son, and to heed the Father's command to listen to him above all. Behold the glory of Christ, the beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased. Heed the Father's command about Jesus: listen to him. Above all other voices, listen to Christ, the beloved Son. Let the glory of Christ move you to heed his words above all.

That is worth taking to heart, for Christ is the glorious, beloved Son, and the Father's command is to listen to him, as revealed on the mountain. We can heed many voices; but the Father, revealing Christ's glory, commanded, listen to him. Listen to Christ. Behold the glory of Christ, the beloved Son, and above all other voices, heed the Father's command to listen to him. Behold the glory of Christ, the beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased, and above all other voices heed the Father's command to listen to him, as on the mountain Jesus was transfigured before his disciples, his face shining like the sun, and from the cloud the Father's voice declared him the beloved Son and gave one command, listen to him; for the disciples saw Jesus in his glory, his true glory shining through, with Moses and Elijah, and then the Father spoke, affirming Jesus as his beloved Son in whom he is well pleased and giving the disciples one command about him, listen to him, the glory of the Son being revealed and the Father's word being to heed him above all, which holds a truth and a command for us, the truth that Jesus is the glorious, beloved Son of God in whom the Father is well pleased, his glory veiled in his ordinary life being real and revealed on the mountain, and the command given by the Father himself, listen to him, so that above Moses and Elijah and all other voices we are to listen to Jesus the beloved Son and heed his words above all, since to behold the glory of Christ rightly is to be moved to do what the Father commands, to listen to him and take him as our authority above all, and we do well to behold his glory and heed the command to listen to him.

Lord Jesus, on the mountain, you are transfigured before your disciples, your face shining like the sun; and from the cloud the Father's voice declares you the beloved Son and gives one command: listen to him. He was changed before them, the account says; his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as the light. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him. For a moment, the disciples saw you in your glory, your true glory shining through, and Moses and Elijah with you. And then the Father spoke, affirming you as his beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased, and giving the disciples one command about you: listen to him. Show me both what was revealed and what was commanded. First, what was revealed: on the mountain, you were transfigured; your face shone like the sun, your garments became white as light. For a moment, the disciples saw your glory, your true divine glory shining through the veil of your ordinary appearance, and Moses and Elijah appeared with you, the law and the prophets bearing witness to you. It was a revelation of who you truly are: not merely a man, but the glorious Son of God. And then, what was commanded: the Father's voice declared, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, and then gave one command: listen to him. Amid the glory, the Father's word was simple and central: heed my Son; listen to him. This holds a truth and a command for me. The truth: you are the glorious, beloved Son of God, in whom the Father is well pleased; your glory, veiled in your ordinary life, is real. And the command, given by the Father himself: listen to him. Above all other voices, I am to listen to you, the beloved Son; your words are to be heeded above all. To behold your glory rightly is to be moved to do what the Father commands: to listen to you, to heed your words. Take that to my heart. Help me behold your glory, Lord, the beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased, and above all other voices, heed the Father's command to listen to you, taking you as my authority above all and letting your glory move me to heed your words.